Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Slow Cooker (Printable)
Tender chicken with sweet pineapple, bell peppers, and tangy sauce. Tropical-inspired dish ideal for busy families.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 red bell pepper, chopped
03 - 1 green bell pepper, chopped
04 - 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
→ Fruit
05 - 1 (20 oz) can pineapple chunks in juice, drained (reserve juice)
→ Sauce
06 - 1/2 cup reserved pineapple juice
07 - 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
08 - 1/4 cup ketchup
09 - 3 tbsp brown sugar
10 - 2 tbsp rice vinegar
11 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
12 - 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger
13 - 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
→ Thickener
14 - 2 tbsp cornstarch
15 - 2 tbsp cold water
→ Garnish
16 - 2 green onions, sliced
17 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
# Steps:
01 - Whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes in a medium bowl until well combined.
02 - Arrange chicken thighs in the bottom of the slow cooker. Layer bell peppers, onion, and pineapple chunks evenly over the chicken.
03 - Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the chicken and vegetables, ensuring all pieces are coated.
04 - Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours until chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
05 - Mix cornstarch with cold water in a small bowl, stirring until completely dissolved and smooth.
06 - During the final 30 minutes of cooking, stir the cornstarch slurry into the slow cooker. Mix gently to incorporate evenly.
07 - Leave the lid off for the last 30 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken properly.
08 - Transfer to serving plates and garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve hot alongside steamed rice.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The sauce develops this incredible depth that tastes like you spent all day tending a stove, but your slow cooker does all the heavy lifting while you go about your day
- Everything cooks in one vessel with almost zero prep work, and the leftovers reheat beautifully for tomorrow's lunch
- That perfect balance of sweet pineapple, tangy vinegar, and savory soy sauce hits every single craving at once
02 -
- Reserving that pineapple juice is non-negotiable, it's the foundation of the entire sauce
- Removing the lid for the last 30 minutes after adding cornstarch is what allows the sauce to thicken properly
- Cornstarch needs to be dissolved in cold liquid first, otherwise it'll turn into clumpy disasters
03 -
- Pat your chicken thighs dry before adding them to the slow cooker, this helps them brown slightly and develop more flavor
- Let the sauce bubble with the lid off for the full 30 minutes after adding cornstarch, rushing this step is the most common mistake