Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Slow Cooker (Printable Version)

Tender chicken with sweet pineapple, bell peppers, and tangy-sweet sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

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
05 - 2 cloves garlic minced

→ Fruit

06 - 1 (20 oz) can pineapple chunks in juice drained with juice reserved

→ Sauce Ingredients

07 - 1/2 cup reserved pineapple juice
08 - 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
09 - 1/4 cup ketchup
10 - 3 tbsp brown sugar
11 - 2 tbsp rice vinegar
12 - 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger
13 - 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional

→ Thickener

14 - 2 tbsp cornstarch
15 - 2 tbsp cold water

→ Garnish

16 - 2 green onions sliced
17 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds optional

# Directions:

01 - Whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes in a medium bowl until sugar dissolves completely.
02 - Arrange chicken thighs in the bottom of the slow cooker. Distribute chopped bell peppers, sliced onion, and drained pineapple chunks evenly over the chicken.
03 - Pour the prepared sauce mixture evenly over all ingredients. Cover and cook on LOW setting for 5-6 hours or HIGH setting for 3-4 hours until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F and is fork-tender.
04 - Combine cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl, whisking until smooth and lump-free.
05 - Stir the cornstarch slurry into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Leave lid partially off to allow sauce to thicken properly, stirring occasionally.
06 - Transfer chicken and vegetables to a serving platter, spooning thickened sauce over top. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately over steamed rice or coconut rice.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Set it and forget it convenience that delivers restaurant quality flavor with almost zero effort
  • The perfect balance of sweet pineapple and tangy sauce that even picky eaters request on repeat
02 -
  • The cornstarch needs to be added in the last 30 minutes or it can break down and lose its thickening power
  • Removing the lid for the final thickening step is essential, otherwise the sauce stays thin and watery no matter how much cornstarch you use
03 -
  • Trim excess fat from the chicken thighs before adding them to avoid a greasy sauce later
  • Use low sodium soy sauce so you can control the salt level, since the dish reduces during cooking

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