This Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken recipe is so easy to make with tender chicken smothered in a mouthwatering BBQ sauce that’s perfectly sweetened with pineapple juice and brown sugar. It’s the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it dinner with a taste bursting with tropical flavor.
This Hawaiian chicken is the perfect balance between sweet and savory. The BBQ sauce adds a smoky flavor that pairs wonderfully with the tropical flavors of the pineapple juice and the sweet brown sugar. It becomes a thick glaze that coats each piece of chicken. There are so many ways to serve it that you can make it a whole new meal each time. My kids love this saucy chicken, too! It’s a fun way to enjoy a tasty chicken dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken
- Minimal prep is needed. In 15 minutes, this recipe will be ready to go into your slow cooker.
- Balanced flavors. The sauce has a perfectly sweet, savory flavor while being a little tangy.
- Family favorite. This crock pot Hawaiian chicken is so good that everyone loves it — you will want to add it to your weekly dinner rotation!
Ingredients Needed
This slow cooker Hawaiian chicken only needs 6 ingredients. The cornstarch creates a crispy crust on the chicken while the sauce glazes the chicken and gives it great flavor.
- Chicken tenderloins: I like to use chicken tenderloins for this recipe, but you may also use whole boneless skinless chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs. Either cut is easy to chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Cornstarch: I make a light tempura batter for the chicken using cornstarch and eggs. This adds some texture to the chicken. All you have to do is brown the outside — don’t worry about cooking the chicken all the way through in the skillet.
- BBQ sauce: Use your favorite brand and variety of BBQ sauce. I typically go for a savory or smoky variety to balance the sweetness of the other ingredients.
- Pineapple juice: If you like, you may use a small can of crushed pineapple in juice for this. I prefer just the juice because it makes the perfect glaze.
- Brown sugar: This adds sweetness and a deep molasses flavor that works great with BBQ sauce. It also helps with thickening as well.
- Scallions: Fresh chopped scallions are a great garnish for color and a pop of freshness.
How to Make Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken
Once the chicken is browned and the sauce is mixed, bring it all together in the crock pot and let it cook! In just a few hours you will have a tasty dinner.
- Make the coating and dredge the chicken. Add the cornstarch and eggs to a large mixing bowl and whisk them to combine. Then, add the chicken tenderloins and coat them evenly in the mixture.
- Brown the chicken. Heat the oil in a large skillet or medium-high heat. Add your chicken and brown each side. This should only take about 2 minutes per side.
- Make the sauce. Add the BBQ sauce, pineapple juice, and brown sugar to a separate small bowl. Stir until the sauce mixture is well combined.
- Add it to the slow cooker. Place the tenderloins into the bottom of the crock pot and pour the sauce on top.
- Cook. Cover and cook the chicken on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 5-6 hours. Stir once or twice during the cooking process.
- Garnish and serve. Sprinkle scallions on top if you wish and enjoy with your favorite side!
Tips for Success
- Add veggies or fruit. Add bell peppers, onions, broccoli or pineapple chunks to this recipe to make it a complete meal.
- Make it spicy. Cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes are perfect for adding a kick to the sauce.
- Skip the cornstarch. If you don’t want to dredge the chicken, skip that step and add them straight to the slow cooker.
- Great with many sides: White rice, brown rice, mashed potatoes, cauliflower rice, plain noodles or ramen noodle salad — this recipe pairs with anything!
Proper Storage
Store leftover Crockpot Hawaiian chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, add it to a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave.
Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken
Ingredients
- 1-1 1/2 pounds chicken tenderloins cut into bite size pieces
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup vegetable oil for frying
- 18 ounce bbq sauce bottle of your favorite
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- green onions or scallions for garnish, optional
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl combine your eggs and cornstarch.
- Coat your chicken pieces in cornstarch egg mixture.
- Heat up the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
- Brown the chicken quickly in the pan. We are not looking to cook the chicken through, just get a little color on each side.
- Place the browned chicken in the slow cooker.
- In a mixing bowl combine BBQ sauce, pineapple juice and brown sugar.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken. Stir everything to combine.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours. Check and stir halfway through. Slow cookers cook differently so make sure to stir and make sure your slow cooker isn't running too hot and burning the sauce.
- Garnish with scallions. Serve over rice.
Last Step:
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