Description
Craving something sweet, savory, and totally effortless? This Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken is the perfect answer to your weeknight dinner struggles. Tender chicken thighs are slow-cooked in a tropical pineapple glaze that’s rich, tangy, and slightly sticky—just like takeout, but easier and healthier. Ideal for quick dinners, easy meal prep, and delicious leftovers, this easy recipe brings together the best of bold flavor and slow-cooked comfort. Great for busy families looking for dinner ideas, healthy snack-style proteins, or easy food ideas that don’t sacrifice taste for convenience.
Ingredients
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup soy sauce
2 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
1. Trim any excess fat from the chicken thighs and pat them dry. If using chicken breasts, cut into large chunks.
2. In a bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, and minced garlic until fully combined.
3. Place the chicken in a crockpot and pour the sauce over it, stirring gently to coat.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until chicken is tender and cooked through.
5. To thicken the sauce, remove the chicken and mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water. Stir this slurry into the sauce.
6. Turn the crockpot to HIGH and cook for 10–15 minutes until the sauce thickens.
7. Return the chicken to the crockpot and stir to coat it well with the thickened sauce.
8. Serve over rice, noodles, or in sandwich rolls. Garnish with green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the juiciest and most flavorful results.
If you’re adding vegetables, include them in the final hour of cooking to prevent them from becoming mushy.
Make sure to thicken the sauce for a glossy, clingy texture that coats the chicken beautifully.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Hawaiian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 21
- Sodium: 720
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 28
- Cholesterol: 110