Sweet Hawaiian Crock-Pot Chicken Recipe
Introduction
This Sweet Hawaiian Crock-Pot Chicken is an easy and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken with a deliciously sweet and tangy sauce. Perfect for busy days, it cooks slowly to let the flavors meld beautifully, delivering a comforting tropical meal.

Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup pineapple juice (fresh or canned)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1/3 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- 2 tbsp water (for cornstarch slurry)
Instructions
- Step 1: Place the chicken breasts in the Crock-Pot.
- Step 2: In a mixing bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic powder, and ground ginger.
- Step 3: Pour the mixture over the chicken in the Crock-Pot.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is tender.
- Step 5: Optional: To thicken the sauce, mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl, then stir into the Crock-Pot during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Step 6: Shred the chicken using two forks and stir well to coat with the sauce.
- Step 7: Serve hot with rice, garnished with pineapple chunks or sesame seeds if desired.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, add sliced bell peppers or chopped pineapple chunks halfway through cooking.
- Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for juicier meat.
- Serve over cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
- If you prefer a less sweet sauce, reduce the brown sugar to 1/4 cup.
Storage
Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through. The sauce may thicken when chilled; add a splash of water when reheating to loosen it up.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts, but the cooking time may be longer. It’s best to cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for about 4 hours, ensuring the chicken is thoroughly cooked and tender.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
This recipe can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free soy sauce or tamari. Most other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
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Sweet Hawaiian Crock-Pot Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes to 5 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Sweet Hawaiian Crock-Pot Chicken is a deliciously tender and flavorful dish made by slow-cooking chicken breasts in a sweet and tangy pineapple sauce. Perfect for a hands-off meal, this recipe combines pineapple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, and warm spices to create a tropical-inspired dinner that’s easy to prepare and sure to please the entire family.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Sauce
- 1 cup pineapple juice (fresh or canned)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1/3 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
Optional for Thickening
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Place the 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts into the Crock-Pot, arranging them evenly at the bottom.
- Mix the Sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup pineapple juice, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger until well combined.
- Combine: Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken breasts inside the Crock-Pot, ensuring they are well-coated.
- Cook: Cover the Crock-Pot and cook on low heat for 4 to 5 hours, or on high heat for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Thicken Optional: If a thicker sauce is desired, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water to form a slurry. Stir this into the Crock-Pot during the last 30 minutes of cooking and continue to cook.
- Shred and Mix: Using two forks, shred the cooked chicken directly in the Crock-Pot, then stir well to ensure the shredded chicken is thoroughly coated with the thickened sauce.
- Serve: Serve the Sweet Hawaiian Crock-Pot Chicken hot, ideally over rice. Garnish with pineapple chunks or sesame seeds if desired for extra flavor and presentation.
Notes
- For best flavor, use fresh pineapple juice if possible, but canned juice works well too.
- If you prefer a saltier dish, use regular soy sauce; otherwise, low sodium soy sauce is recommended.
- The optional cornstarch slurry helps thicken the sauce but can be omitted for a thinner consistency.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed white rice or jasmine rice.
- You can add vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas during the last hour of cooking for added nutrition and texture.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours on low or 2-3 hours on high
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Keywords: Hawaiian chicken, crock-pot chicken, slow cooker chicken recipe, pineapple chicken, sweet chicken recipe, easy slow cooker meals

