Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken

Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken is a sweet-savory, tender shredded chicken dish simmered in a pineapple-soy sauce. It’s ideal for busy days: minimal prep, consistent results, and highly adaptable for bowls, sandwiches, or wraps.

This formulation balances sugar, salt, and acidity to prevent cloying sweetness while maintaining classic island-inspired flavor.

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Why This Recipe Works

• Low, moist heat keeps chicken tender
• Pineapple provides enzymatic sweetness and acidity
• Soy sauce builds umami depth
• Cornstarch slurry stabilizes and thickens sauce

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Key Ingredient Spotlight

Pineapple contributes natural sugars and acidity. In slow cooking, its juice helps tenderize protein while providing brightness that offsets the savory elements.

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Ingredients

Protein

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

Sauce

• 1 cup pineapple juice (from canned pineapple or fresh)
• 1 cup pineapple chunks (drained if canned)
• ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger (or ½ teaspoon ground)
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

Thickener

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cold water

Optional: sliced bell peppers or red onion

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Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Sauce

In a bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, garlic, ginger, and rice vinegar.

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2. Load the Slow Cooker

Place chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker.
Add pineapple chunks (and optional vegetables).
Pour sauce over everything.

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3. Cook

• Low: 6–7 hours
• High: 3–4 hours

Chicken should be tender and easily shredded.

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4. Shred & Thicken

Remove chicken and shred with forks.

Whisk cornstarch with cold water to create slurry.

Stir slurry into sauce in slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 10–15 minutes until thickened.

Return shredded chicken to sauce and stir to coat.

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Flavor Profile

• Sweet but balanced
• Savory soy undertones
• Mild tang from vinegar
• Subtle warmth from ginger
• Juicy, tender shredded texture

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Pro Tips

Use Thighs for Richer Flavor

Chicken thighs remain more forgiving in long cook times.

Control Sweetness

If sauce tastes too sweet, add 1–2 teaspoons extra rice vinegar or a squeeze of lime.

Avoid Over-Thickening

Sauce will continue thickening slightly as it cools.

For Caramelized Finish

Transfer shredded chicken to a baking dish and broil 3–4 minutes before serving.

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Serving Ideas

• Over steamed white or jasmine rice
• In Hawaiian-style sliders
• Stuffed into lettuce wraps
• Over coconut rice
• Inside tacos with cabbage slaw

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Storage & Reheating

Refrigeration

Store up to 4 days in airtight container.

Freezing

Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.

Reheating

Warm gently on stovetop or microwave, stirring occasionally.

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Variations

Spicy Hawaiian Chicken

Add 1–2 teaspoons sriracha or crushed red pepper flakes.

BBQ Twist

Replace ketchup with BBQ sauce for smokier flavor.

Low-Sugar Option

Reduce brown sugar by half and rely on pineapple sweetness.

Vegetable-Forward

Add bell peppers and snap peas during final hour of cooking.

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Nutritional Highlights

• High protein
• Moderate carbohydrate from sauce
• Lower fat if using chicken breasts
• Naturally dairy-free

To reduce sodium, use low-sodium soy sauce and unsweetened pineapple juice.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using too much sugar without acidity balance
2. Skipping thickening step (results in watery sauce)
3. Overcooking on high for too long
4. Adding cornstarch directly without dissolving

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Final Thoughts

Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken is an easy, crowd-pleasing meal with balanced sweet-savory flavor and versatile serving options. It’s ideal for meal prep, family dinners, or casual gatherings where you want maximum flavor with minimal effort.

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