This Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken recipe is a combination of sweet and savory tropical-inspired flavors. Juicy chicken is slow-cooked with pineapple, bell peppers, and a tangy sauce, then served over rice. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or any time you crave a taste of the tropics.
You can use whatever bell peppers you have available. They can be the same colors or different colors. Adding extra vegetables such as snap peas, broccoli, or carrots will make for an even more delicious and nutritionally dense meal.
Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides. Then sear the chicken breasts in a skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil. Let each side cook for about 2-3 minutes, until it has a crust.
In a medium bowl, combine the barbecue sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and the pineapple juice from the can. Stir until the sauce is evenly combined.
Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker. And add the chopped bell peppers on top of the chicken. Then pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetables so that it covers everything evenly.
Place the cover on the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be very tender and cooked through.
When there is about 30 minutes left, add the cornstarch slurry to the sauce and stir in. Add the pineapple chunks and cover and cook for 30 more minutes.
Serve the Hawaiian Chicken over cooked white or brown rice. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
For a spicier kick, add some red pepper flakes or a chopped jalapeño to the sauce.
Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken FAQS:
You will need the following ingredients:
chicken breasts, canned pineapple, bell peppers, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, olive oil, cornstarch, green onions, sesame seeds You will need the following supplies:
a slow cooker, a large skillet, a mixing bowl
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
This Hawaiian Chicken in the slow cooker is best enjoyed hot.
Notes:
- Adding extra vegetables such as snap peas, broccoli, or carrots will make for an even more delicious and nutritionally dense meal.
- If you prefer a less sweet dish, reduce the amount of brown sugar or use a sugar substitute.
- For a spicier kick, add some red pepper flakes or a chopped jalapeño to the sauce.
- You can use whatever bell peppers you have available. They can be the same colors or different colors.
- When searing the chicken, allow each side to get a crust and caramel coloring. Usually 2-3 minutes is plenty of time over medium-high heat.
Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half lengthwise
- 1 20-ounce can pineapple chunks
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 orange or yellow bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ cup cornstarch slurry, (2 tablespoons cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water)
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Sear the chicken breasts in a skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil. Let each side cook for about 2-3 minutes, until it has a crust.
- In a medium bowl, combine the barbecue sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and the pineapple juice from the can. Stir until the sauce is evenly combined.
- Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Add the chopped bell peppers on top of the chicken.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetables so that it covers everything evenly.
- Place the cover on the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be very tender and cooked through.
- When there is about 30 minutes left, add the cornstarch slurry to the sauce and stir in. Add the pineapple chunks and cover and cook for 30 more minutes.
- Serve the Hawaiian Chicken over cooked white or brown rice. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
- Adding extra vegetables such as snap peas, broccoli, or carrots will make for an even more delicious and nutritionally dense meal.
- If you prefer a less sweet dish, reduce the amount of brown sugar or use a sugar substitute.
- For a spicier kick, add some red pepper flakes or a chopped jalapeño to the sauce.
- You can use whatever bell peppers you have available. They can be the same colors or different colors.
- When searing the chicken, allow each side to get a crust and caramel coloring. Usually 2-3 minutes is plenty of time over medium-high heat.
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