Description
Enjoy tender, flavorful Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken made easy with this delicious recipe perfect for a hassle-free tropical dinner. Juicy chicken thighs are slow cooked with pineapple chunks, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and red bell pepper, creating a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. This crowd-pleasing dish is simple to prepare and brings island vibes to your table with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Vegetables
- 1.5 to 2 lbs chicken thighs, trimmed and patted dry
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh preferred)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (use gluten-free or tamari for gluten-free version)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sriracha (optional for spicy kick)
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken and Vegetables: Trim any excess fat from the chicken thighs and pat them dry for better browning if you decide to sear before slow cooking. Dice the red bell pepper and mince the garlic cloves to prepare for layering flavors.
- Mix the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and sriracha if using. This mixture combines sweet, salty, tangy, and spicy notes to create that signature Hawaiian taste.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Layer the chicken thighs at the bottom of the slow cooker. Scatter diced red bell peppers, pineapple chunks, and minced garlic evenly on top. Pour your sauce mixture over everything, making sure the chicken is well coated.
- Cook Low and Slow: Set your slow cooker to low and cook for 5-6 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. Low heat allows the chicken to become tender and the flavors to meld together beautifully.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped green onions over the finished dish just before serving. This adds freshness and a pop of color that makes the Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken even more inviting.
Notes
- Sear for extra flavor: Brown chicken thighs in a skillet before slow cooking to boost depth and texture.
- Don’t over-stir: Avoid stirring frequently to keep chicken tender and let the sauce thicken naturally.
- Use fresh pineapple: Fresh pineapple chunks provide better flavor and texture than canned when possible.
- Adjust sweetness: Modify brown sugar amounts to fit your taste, balancing the natural pineapple sugars.
- Slow cooker size matters: Use a slow cooker that fits your ingredients well to avoid overcrowding and uneven cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5-6 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: slow cooker chicken, Hawaiian chicken, tropical chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, slow cooker dinner, gluten free chicken