Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken (Print View)
Slow-cooked chicken in a sweet Hawaiian-style pineapple and bell pepper sauce for an easy, flavorful family meal.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
→ Vegetables & Fruit
02 - 1 large red bell pepper, cut into chunks
03 - 1 large green bell pepper, cut into chunks
04 - 1 small yellow onion, sliced
05 - 1 (20 oz) can pineapple chunks in juice, drained, juice reserved
→ Sauces & Condiments
06 - 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce (use gluten-free if needed)
07 - 1/2 cup reserved pineapple juice
08 - 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
09 - 2 tablespoons ketchup
10 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
11 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
12 - 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger (or 1 teaspoon ground ginger)
13 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
14 - 2 tablespoons water (for cornstarch slurry)
→ Garnish
15 - Sliced green onions
16 - Sesame seeds
17 - Fresh cilantro
# How-To Steps:
01 - Place the chicken pieces in the bottom of the crockpot in an even layer.
02 - Scatter the red and green bell pepper chunks, sliced onion, and drained pineapple chunks evenly over the chicken.
03 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, reserved pineapple juice, brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, minced garlic, and grated ginger until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is smooth.
04 - Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken and vegetables in the crockpot. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and fork-tender.
05 - During the final 30 minutes of cooking, whisk the cornstarch with water in a small bowl to form a slurry, then stir it into the crockpot. Allow the sauce to thicken with the lid slightly ajar.
06 - Serve hot over steamed white or jasmine rice. Garnish with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and fresh cilantro as desired.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- It practically cooks itself while you tackle everything else on your list.
- The sauce tastes like something from a takeout box but costs a fraction and feeds everyone generously.
02 -
- Do not skip draining the pineapple chunks or your sauce will be watery no matter how long you cook it.
- Resist the urge to lift the lid and stir halfway through because every peek adds cooking time you did not plan for.
03 -
- Chicken thighs are the move here because they stay tender even if you forget about them for an extra hour.
- Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for two minutes before sprinkling them on top and you will wonder why you ever used them raw.