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Pineapple Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken Recipe

Crockpot Hawaiian chicken has only 5 ingredients! Some call this slow cooker pineapple chicken because it’s sweet with a bit of a barbecue kick to it! Easy Crockpot chicken recipes are just the best.

Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken

Crockpot Hawaiian chicken with pineapple is sweet chicken breast that can be shredded for even more fun dinnertime ideas. If you love healthy, easy, Crockpot recipes too I bet this will be a hit in your home. (affiliate links present)

Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken

First when I got this idea into my head I made it as a batch of Instant Pot Hawaiian chicken. This one has similar flavors but takes longer. A great one for a throw it in and be ready at the end of the day though. It was incredible and we all loved the sweet and tanginess of this dish. Now it was time to use this basic idea in a slow cooker recipe using chicken. 

You just throw everything in in the morning and let it get tender while you’re away. When you’re ready just fluff up some rice or shred and serve inside tortillas as tacos. For a faster version try Ninja Foodi pineapple chicken but as for the old fashioned way, this is a hit.

Let’s talk a little bit about slow cooking shall we?? First off I have a few different varieties and I love them all. Each one has an occasion to be used like….

  1. This is my favorite 6 quart programmable one with a locking lid so it’s great for bringing to a potluck too.
  2. I prefer not to use liners, but rather just spray olive oil inside before adding my food for easier cleanups.

Let me give you a peek of my pretty thang I bought recently. It goes with my kitchen so I can just leave it out on the countertop all the time. 😉

A floral design slow cooker with a white base and lid sits on a kitchen countertop, perfect for whipping up a 5 ingredient crockpot chili recipe.

Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken Thighs

Once you find a great sauce you’ve gotta’ use it on all the things I say, so using whole chicken breasts were next. If you’re a super fan of thighs instead, then use those by all means. I would just use boneless skinless either way. Just makes it a lot easier to serve when done and the meat cooks more evenly without the bone-in I think.

You can plan to make these chicken breasts a few different ways. Serve them whole once done, or shred the meat once it’s fall apart tender and slap some inside tortillas for tacos! Any way you “slice it” is a winner around here.

Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken with Frozen Chicken

Ok so I am forgetful and you might be too. With that said I like to offer instructions in case yours isn’t thawed out when it is time. Believe it or not the timing is almost exactly the same! The only thing you need to make sure of with slow cooker frozen chicken thighs is that your pieces are broken apart before adding into the pot. You can do this run under cool water for a bit.

chicken

Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken with Sweet Pineapple Glaze

The sauce you get that the meat is soaking in is killer. I like to shred the meat about 30 minutes beore serving and let it sit in there for a while. Then it can soak it up more and become sweeter. If you are making them into tacos I might add pineapple tidbits on top too. Here are a few questions you might have before getting started on this:

What is Hawaiian bbq chicken?

Just as it sounds, it’s chicken cooked in pineapple and barbecue sauces. This makes for an incredible meal. It is so easy we have even used it to make our simple Instant Pot shredded chicken recipe too.

What is Aloha chicken?

The names are interchangeable really. Kailua pork, Aloha and or Hawaiian chicken may refer to the same dish as you see here. All have the tropical flavors you love and are served over warm rice.

Setting it to low is the best way to go. Hurrying things up isn’t the best idea for this method of cooking. SLOW cooker it’s called remember. 😉 The biggest difference between the two is that meat won’t get nearly as moist and tender if cooked faster. Just dries it out y’all, a no go.

slow cooker chicken

Slow cooker Hawaiian chicken

As always you can certainly make your own homemade barbecue sauce or use bottled doctored up as you see here. I like Sweet baby Ray’s since it is typically so cheap but whatever I find on sale is typically what I use. I will say that I do like a little heat in with the sweetness so it isn’t like so overwhelming.

  1. Chicken breasts
    1. boneless, skinless
  2. Can of crushed pineapple
  3. Barbecue sauce
    1. if you like sweet heat this is our favorite
  4. Brown sugar
  5. Garlic powder
  6. Salt
  7. Soy sauce is optional but I usually add it in
  8. Could add large chunks of bell pepper
  9. Diced green onions for serving

If you want to make this a bit spicy that is yummy too. I would just use a dash of red pepper flakes or chili powder. Go light handed at first so it isn’t overwhelming, adjust at the end. Ok so this is a bit like our Crockpot bbq chicken recipe except we left the breasts whole this time and added more than 3 ingredients. That is a good one too if you want another throw together recipe.

crockpot pineapple chicken

What does pineapple do to chicken?

Pineapple is a fruit that pairs well with beef, pork, chicken and some types of fish. While giving your meat a great deal of flavor, pineapple juice helps tenderize your meat as well. A great way to get it to break down those connective tissues quickly with a killer flavor at the same time.

  • Whether you use it in your Instant Pot or slow cooker it does the same thing.
  • The enzyme in pineapple, digests protein which softens the tissues before cooking it.

You can use a marinade to keep it nice and moist too but typically to get the same results it would need to sit inside overnight. You may not have time for all of that.

ninja foodi pineapple chicken

Hawaiian Chicken Tacos

Steps to take when making this slow cooker Hawaiian chicken recipe with bbq sauce. Lay breasts or chicken thighs into your pot. Add the pineapple chunks over the top.

  • In a small bowl mix together bbq sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, soy sauce and salt. Pour this over the chicken as well.
  • Put lid on and cook on high heat for 4-5 hours or 6-8 hours until chicken is done to correct temperature in the middle to 165 degrees.
  • Slice or shred and serve over rice or inside tortillas for tacos.
  • If shredding I would shred meat, submerge in liquid, and cover for an additional 20 minutes or so to soak up more of the juices.

If you have guests coming over make a whole bar out of it with all the toppings you love. Have small tortillas there, both flour and corn. Beyond that think outside of the box. Of course salsa is great, cilantro, sour cream, I love slices of avocado on all the things so that is my go to.

hawaiian chicken recipe

Crockpot Hawaiian chicken

As for serving you can do it any way you wish. In a bowl, using lettuce to make a wrap out of it, the list goes on and on. If you’re looking for a low carb dish you can serve it as is or with a side of quinoa. 

  1. I usually serve it with a side of white rice or air fryer roasted vegetables.
  2. A side of crispy brussel sprouts with bacon is great too.
  3. If I shred it and serve it as soft tacos I load up on avocado and sour cream on top. It’s an easy recipe to throw together in the morning and serve for taco Tuesdays in our house.

Looking for more easy chicken recipes?

  • We share a bunch of easy Instant Pot chicken recipes in this post and in our menu at the top of our blog too you can find.
  • These Crockpot chicken sliders are a quick meal too.

I first made this Instant Pot Hawaiian pulled pork, then with chicken. Both are winners and much faster cooking time. It’s made diced up into bite size pieces in the beginning. Both are great but this one comes out a bit saucier than the first.

instant pot pineapple chicken 2

Have leftover chicken? Use it in this easy chicken pot pie recipe!

You can print recipe below. Enjoy friends!

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hawaiian chicken recipe
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5 from 6 votes

Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken

Pineapple Crockpot Hawaiian chicken with 5 ingredients! Slow cooker pineapple chicken is sweet with a bit of a barbecue kick to it!
Course Entree, Main Course
Cuisine American, hawaiian
Keyword beer can chicken, crockpot, hawaiian, pineapple, slow cooker
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 7 hours
Servings 6
Calories 391kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Lay chicken breasts into your pot. Pour pineapple over the top.
  • In a bowl mix together bbq sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, soy sauce and salt. Pour this over the chicken as well.
  • Put lid on and cook on high for 4-5 hours or 6-8 hours until chicken is done to correct temperature in the middle to 165 degrees.
  • Slice or shred and serve over rice or inside tortillas for tacos. If shredding I would shred meat, submerge in liquid, and cover for an additional 20 minutes or so to soak up more of the juices.

Video

Nutrition Facts
Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken
Amount Per Serving (3 oz)
Calories 391 Calories from Fat 36
% Daily Value*
Fat 4g6%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 96mg32%
Sodium 2076mg90%
Potassium 869mg25%
Carbohydrates 54g18%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 46g51%
Protein 33g66%
Vitamin A 253IU5%
Vitamin C 11mg13%
Calcium 54mg5%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
crockpot hawaiian chicken
5 from 6 votes (2 ratings without comment)
Recipe Rating




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Renee

Thursday 11th of April 2024

This Hawaiian Chicken recipe is a definite keeper! Perfect for busy days, and so easy to make. Best of all though – everyone loves it! 🍍🍗

Elisa

Thursday 11th of April 2024

Love this Crockpot Hawaiian chicken recipe, we love chicken in my family and this recipe is so good, sweet, and juicy. Thanks for sharing :)

Paula

Thursday 11th of April 2024

This was so good and with just the right amount of sweet! yummy!

Angela

Thursday 11th of April 2024

This was so good and easy to make! Love the combo of sweet and salty in this dish. Great served over rice!

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