Dreamy Hawaiian Chicken Slow Cooker Recipe for Island Flavor

Tender, juicy chicken meets tropical flavors in this mouthwatering Hawaiian chicken slow cooker recipe that brings paradise right to your dinner table.

Pineapple chunks and savory spices dance together, creating a delightful meal that transports you to island shores.

The slow cooker works its magic, infusing every bite with rich, sweet, and tangy notes.

Minimal prep means maximum enjoyment for busy home cooks seeking a delicious weeknight dinner.

Succulent chicken absorbs the vibrant marinade, promising a meal that’s both comforting and exciting.

This recipe offers a simple escape from ordinary dinners, delivering a taste of Hawaiian cuisine with zero fuss.

Grab your slow cooker and get ready to savor every tropical-inspired bite.

Serving Ideas for Hawaiian Slow Cooker Chicken

• Tropical Island Plate: Arrange the tender Hawaiian chicken over a bed of fluffy coconut rice, garnished with fresh pineapple chunks and chopped green onions for a vibrant, colorful presentation.
• Sandwich Delight: Transform the shredded chicken into mouthwatering sliders by placing it on soft Hawaiian rolls, topped with a crisp coleslaw and a drizzle of extra sauce for added zest.
• Beach-Style Bowl: Create a nutritious Hawaiian chicken bowl with quinoa or brown rice, adding sliced avocado, diced cucumber, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for extra texture and flavor.
• Picnic Perfect: Pack the shredded chicken in a portable container for a delicious outdoor meal, pairing it with a light mixed green salad and some crunchy macadamia nuts for a tropical twist.

Keeping Hawaiian Chicken Fresh for Another Meal

• Store leftover Hawaiian chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer cooled chicken to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal completely, and freeze for up to 3 months. Label the container with the date of storage.
• Place chicken in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few tablespoons of water or chicken broth to prevent drying. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel. Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.

FAQs

• What is Hawaiian chicken made of?

Hawaiian chicken typically includes chicken breasts, pineapple chunks, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and sometimes ginger for a sweet and tangy flavor profile that mimics traditional Hawaiian cuisine.

• Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts directly in the slow cooker. Just add 1-2 hours to the cooking time to ensure the chicken is fully cooked and reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.

• Is this recipe considered healthy?

This dish is relatively healthy, providing lean protein from chicken and nutrients from pineapple. It’s lower in calories compared to many other slow cooker recipes, especially if you use skinless chicken breasts and control the sugar content.

What’s Irresistible About Hawaiian Chicken Slow Cooker

• Toss ingredients into the slow cooker and let it work its magic without constant monitoring, perfect for busy home cooks who want delicious meals with minimal effort.
• Enjoy this Hawaiian chicken as a flexible dish that can be served over rice or on buns, making it adaptable for different dining preferences and easy to customize.
• Experience a delightful blend of sweet and savory Hawaiian-inspired tastes that transform ordinary chicken into an exciting culinary adventure your family will love.
• Requires just a few simple steps to create a mouthwatering meal that looks and tastes like you've spent hours in the kitchen, impressing everyone at the dinner table.

Hawaiian Chicken: Ingredient Essentials

• Chicken Breasts: A lean and tender protein that absorbs the rich Hawaiian-style flavors in this slow cooker dish.

• Pineapple Juice, Soy Sauce: Creates a sweet and savory liquid base that tenderizes the chicken and adds authentic Hawaiian-inspired taste.
• Ketchup, Brown Sugar: Provides a tangy and sweet balance to the sauce, helping to caramelize and glaze the chicken.
• Garlic, Ginger: Adds aromatic depth and traditional Hawaiian-Asian flavor profile to the dish.

• White Rice, Brown Rice: A classic accompaniment that soaks up the delicious sauce.
• Hamburger Buns: An alternative serving option for a casual sandwich-style meal.

Must-Have Tools for Effortless Slow Cooking

• Slow Cooker: Essential for tender, flavorful Hawaiian chicken that cooks evenly and keeps meat juicy.
• Cutting Board: Helps prepare and handle chicken safely before adding to slow cooker.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring ingredients and ensuring even coating of chicken.
• Measuring Cups: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions for balanced flavor.
• Meat Shredding Forks (optional): Helpful for easily pulling apart cooked chicken into soft, delicious pieces.

How to Slow Cook Hawaiian Chicken to Perfection

Step 1: Prep the Chicken Delight

Place tender chicken breasts into your trusty slow cooker.

• Juicy chicken breasts
• Tangy pineapple chunks
• Sweet honey
• Zesty soy sauce
• Aromatic garlic
• Vibrant bell peppers

Stir everything together, ensuring each piece gets coated with the mouthwatering marinade.

Step 2: Slow Cook to Perfection

Securely cover your slow cooker and let the magic happen.

Cook on low heat for 6 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the chicken to become incredibly tender.

Resist the temptation to lift the lid during cooking to maintain consistent heat and moisture.

Step 3: Transform and Serve

Once cooking is complete, use two forks to gently shred the chicken into succulent, bite-sized pieces.

The meat will be so tender it practically falls apart.

Serve this tropical sensation over fluffy white or brown rice for a complete meal.

For a fun twist, pile the chicken onto soft hamburger buns for an amazing sandwich experience.

The combination of sweet, savory, and tropical flavors will transport your taste buds to a Hawaiian paradise.

Tips for Juicy, Flavorful Hawaiian Chicken

• Choose bone-in chicken thighs for extra moisture and richer flavor compared to chicken breasts.
• Add fresh pineapple chunks during the last hour of cooking to intensify the Hawaiian-style sweetness.
• If the sauce is too thin, mix cornstarch with cold water and stir into the slow cooker during the final 30 minutes of cooking.
• This recipe freezes beautifully for up to 3 months, making it perfect for advanced meal planning and busy weeknights.
• Adjust the spiciness by adding red pepper flakes or using mild or hot salsa according to your preference.

Sweet and Savory Variations for Hawaiian Chicken

• Tropical Teriyaki Chicken: Replace pineapple juice with teriyaki sauce and add fresh mango chunks for a different island-inspired flavor profile.
• Spicy Coconut Chicken: Swap pineapple juice with coconut milk and add red chili flakes for a creamy, heat-packed version that brings tropical warmth.
• Gluten-Free Island Chicken: Use gluten-free soy sauce and serve over cauliflower rice to accommodate dietary restrictions while maintaining the original recipe's essence.
• Low-Carb Lettuce Wrap Option: Skip the rice and buns, instead serve the shredded chicken in crisp lettuce leaves for a lighter, carb-conscious meal.

Hawaiian Chicken Slow Cooker Recipe

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4.8 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savory Hawaiian chicken slow cooker recipe brings tropical flavors to your dinner table. Tender meat marinates in sweet and tangy sauce, creating a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 1/2 pounds (680 grams) boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 5 slices bacon, cooked and sliced

Produce:

• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 20 ounces (567 grams) can crushed pineapple, drained thoroughly

Sauces & Seasonings:

• 1 cup barbecue sauce (Sweet Baby Rays recommended)
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Nestle chicken breasts into the slow cooker basin, ensuring they are evenly positioned.
2. Pour all sauce components over the chicken, gently stirring to distribute seasonings and coat the meat thoroughly.
3. Secure the slow cooker lid and set to low temperature, allowing the chicken to tenderize and absorb flavors for 6 hours without interruption.
4. Once cooking is complete, use two forks to delicately pull apart and shred the chicken into succulent, bite-sized pieces.
5. For serving, create a bed of fluffy white or brown rice, or prepare soft hamburger buns as a base.
6. Transfer the fragrant, Hawaiian-style shredded chicken onto your selected foundation, ensuring each portion receives an equal distribution of the rich, tropical-inspired sauce.

Notes

• Prevent Dryness Opt for chicken thighs instead of breasts to ensure more tender and juicy meat during slow cooking.
• Customize Flavor Adjust the pineapple juice and soy sauce ratio to balance sweetness and saltiness according to personal taste preferences.
• Make Ahead Prepare the chicken mixture the night before and store in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to meld overnight for enhanced taste.
• Dietary Adaptation Swap regular soy sauce with gluten-free tamari for a celiac-friendly version, and use cauliflower rice as a low-carb alternative to traditional rice.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 hours
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Hawaiian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 375
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 1050 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg