Okay, friends, let me tell you about the easiest, most delicious dinner you’ll make all week: my Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken! Seriously, it’s a lifesaver on busy weeknights, and everyone in my family gobbles it up. I’ve been making this recipe for years. When my kids were little and fussy eaters, this was one of the few meals I could guarantee would make it onto everyone’s plates. I’ve tweaked the recipe over time, but the core flavors of sweet and tangy chicken, cooked low and slow, remain the star of the show. Trust me; once you try this method, you’ll be hooked!
Why You’ll Love This Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken
- It’s ridiculously simple – truly a dump-and-go recipe!
- The chicken comes out unbelievably tender and juicy.
- Flavor explosion! The combination of sweet, savory, and tangy is a win.
- Perfect for meal prepping: make a big batch, and you’re set for days.
- It’s naturally gluten-free!
Ingredients You’ll Need for Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken
So, here’s the lowdown on what you’ll need. Don’t worry, it’s pantry-friendly! I always have these ingredients on hand. You probably do too!
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup pineapple chunks, canned or fresh (fresh is amazing if you have it!)
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand – I love a smoky one!)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (or coconut aminos for a gluten-free version)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
How to Make Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken: Step-by-Step Instructions
Ready to get cooking? I love that this recipe is the easiest one in my repertoire!
Prep the Chicken and Sauce
First, get those chicken breasts into the slow cooker – you can overlap them a little; it’s all good. Next, in a separate bowl, whisk together the pineapple chunks (don’t drain them!), BBQ sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, and ginger. Give it a good whisk until everything is nice and combined. Then, pour that glorious sauce right over the chicken.
Crockpot Cooking Time and Temperature
Now, pop the lid on the slow cooker, and set it to low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Seriously, that’s it! I usually go for the low and slow method because it makes the chicken ridiculously tender, but when I get home late from work, I sometimes put it on high to make dinnertime happen quicker. The beautiful smell will get you so excited. Be careful when you open the lid – steam is hot!
Shredding and Serving Your Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken
Once the chicken’s cooked through (it should easily shred with a fork), take two forks and shred it right in the slow cooker. Make sure every piece gets coated in that yummy sauce. Serve it over rice (white or brown, your call!), with some delicious sides like a fresh green salad or some roasted veggies. Yum! See? Easy peasy!
Why You’ll Love This Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken
Okay, let me tell you why I make this Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken all the time. It’s truly a winner, and I swear, every single person who tries it loves it. It’s got everything going for it!
- Quick as can be! Prep takes maybe 10 minutes, tops.
- Seriously easy: throw it all in the crockpot and forget about it.
- That flavor! The combo of sweet pineapple and tangy BBQ sauce is everything.
- It’s pretty healthy, too! (Well, as healthy as a delicious meal can be, haha!)
- It’s super versatile – great on rice, in tacos, on salads… the possibilities are endless!
Ingredients You’ll Need for Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken
Alright, let’s talk ingredients! You won’t believe how simple this is. This is the kind of recipe I make when I’m short on time (which is, let’s be honest, most of the time!). Here’s what you need to get your hands on:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (yup, just the plain ones!)
- 1 cup pineapple chunks, canned or fresh (fresh is amazing if you can swing it – the flavor is awesome!)
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (choose your fave; I like a sweet and smoky kind!)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (or coconut aminos for a gluten-free option – works great!)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (that extra bit of sweetness!)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (gives it a nice tang)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (because, well, garlic!)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger (adds a warm, spicy note)
How to Make Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken: Step-by-Step Instructions
Okay, here’s the fun part – actually making this delicious meal! It really is super simple, I promise. Don’t worry, even if you are not much of a cook, this Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken is going to be a huge success. You got this!
Prep the Chicken and Sauce
First things first, grab your slow cooker. Just toss those boneless, skinless chicken breasts right in. Don’t worry about overcrowding them; just make sure they’re mostly in a single layer if possible. Next, in a bowl (I usually just use the same one I mixed the ingredients in!), combine all the sauce ingredients: the pineapple chunks (don’t drain the juice, that’s flavor!), BBQ sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, and ginger. Give it a good whisk until everything is nice and smooth. Nothing fancy!
Crockpot Cooking Time and Temperature
Now, pour that beautiful sauce all over the chicken. Make sure it’s fully covered so the flavors can mingle. Put the lid on your slow cooker and set it to low. You’re going to cook it for 6-8 hours on low, or if you’re in a real hurry (like, “hangry” level hurry!), you can cook it on high for 3-4 hours. Just make sure the chicken is cooked through – it should shred easily with a fork. Careful when the lid comes off, the steam can be hot! Let it rest a bit before touching.
Shredding and Serving Your Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken
Once the chicken is fall-apart tender, take two forks and shred it right in the slow cooker. I love doing it this way because it mixes the chicken with all that wonderful sauce. Make sure all the chicken gets coated! Then, it’s mealtime! You can serve this Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken over rice (jasmine rice is my fave!), with mashed potatoes, or even in tacos. Add a side salad or some steamed veggies to complete the meal! Dinner is served!
Ingredient Notes and Possible Substitutions
Okay, let’s chat about a few of those ingredients, shall we? You know I always have to make some little tweaks here and there, just to use what I have on hand! For the Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken, it’s pretty flexible. You can totally swap out the regular soy sauce for coconut aminos if you need a gluten-free version. It’s the same amount!
If you don’t have brown sugar (or you’re out like me!), you can use white sugar, but you might lose a little bit of that deep molasses flavor. For the pineapple, fresh is amazing if you have it, but canned pineapple chunks work just as well. Just make sure you get the ones packed in juice, not syrup! Otherwise, you’ll need to adjust the amount of brown sugar! And finally, let me remind you, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick, which I love! You’ll love it too!
Tips for Success with Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken
Listen, even the simplest recipes can have a few sneaky secrets that make them *amazing*. So, for this Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken, pay attention, because here’s the lowdown
First, don’t be afraid to adjust the sauce to your liking! Taste it before you pour it over the chicken, and if you like things a little sweeter, add a tiny bit more brown sugar. Spice it up with a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Make sure your chicken is fully cooked! No one enjoys undercooked chicken. If you have a meat thermometer, the chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Finally, resist the urge to peek! Opening the lid lets the heat escape, which can affect cooking time, trust me!
Serving Suggestions for Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken
So, you’ve got this amazing Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken, and you’re wondering what to serve it with? Don’t worry, I got you covered, because trust me, I’ve got my serving game down pat. Rice is a classic, of course – white, brown, or even coconut rice would be delicious! But it’s also fantastic with mashed sweet potatoes or cauliflower rice for a lighter option. Don’t forget a side salad, and perhaps some steamed broccoli or green beans for some extra greens. Yum!
Make-Ahead & Freezer Tips for Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken
So, what if you want to get ahead of the game with this Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken, right? Okay, listen up!
You can totally make this ahead and keep it in the fridge for a few days. Just store the cooked chicken (shredded and saucy) in an airtight container. When you’re ready to eat, reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop. It’s also super freezer-friendly! Freeze the cooked chicken in a freezer bag or container. It’ll last for a couple of months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Estimated Nutritional Information
Okay, so listen, I’m not a nutritionist, and I don’t pretend to be one! But I know you all want to know, so here’s a rough idea of what you’re looking at, based on one serving of this amazing Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken. Remember this is just an estimate, but it’s a good place to start!
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Enjoy! And always feel free to adjust this to fit your own needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken
Alright, friends, before you dive into making this absolutely addictive Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken, let me anticipate a few questions you might have! I get them all the time!
Can I use frozen chicken breasts?
Okay, it’s a common question, and I get it – life gets busy! Yes, you *can* use frozen chicken breasts, but you’ll need to adjust the cooking time. Add an extra hour or two on low. Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The cooking time depends on your slow cooker!
What if I don’t have BBQ sauce?
No problem! If you don’t have BBQ sauce, you can improvise! Use ketchup and a dash of Worcestershire sauce, and a pinch of liquid smoke or even smoked paprika to get similar flavors to your Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken! You could even add a little honey or maple syrup for sweetness. It still works wonderfully, I swear!
Can I add vegetables to the Crockpot?
Absolutely! I love to throw in some sliced bell peppers or onions with the chicken. They’ll soften up and absorb all those lovely flavors. Just add them at the beginning with the chicken! You can use whatever colors you like. I often do this, and I find even my vegetable-averse kids will pick at this Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken!
Is this recipe really gluten-free?
Yes, this Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken recipe is naturally gluten-free! Just be sure to double-check your BBQ sauce and soy sauce to make sure they’re gluten-free. For the soy sauce, you can substitute with coconut aminos! It gives the same flavor, and everyone loves it!