Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken (Printable)

Chicken slow cooked with pineapple, bell peppers, and a tangy-sweet sauce in a tropical style.

# What You Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
03 - 1 green bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
04 - 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced

→ Fruit

05 - 1 (20 oz) can pineapple chunks in juice, drained with 1/2 cup juice reserved

→ Sauce Components

06 - 1/2 cup reserved pineapple juice
07 - 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
08 - 1/4 cup ketchup
09 - 3 tbsp brown sugar, packed
10 - 2 tbsp rice vinegar
11 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
12 - 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
13 - 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

→ Thickener

14 - 2 tbsp cornstarch
15 - 2 tbsp cold water

→ Garnishes

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

# How To Cook:

01 - Whisk together the reserved pineapple juice, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes in a medium bowl until the sugar dissolves completely.
02 - Arrange the chicken thighs in an even layer at the bottom of a 4-quart or larger slow cooker. Distribute the bell peppers, onion, and drained pineapple chunks over the chicken.
03 - Pour the prepared sauce evenly over all ingredients. Cover with the lid and cook on LOW setting for 5 to 6 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and shreds easily.
04 - In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch and cold water, whisking until smooth and no lumps remain.
05 - During the final 30 minutes of cooking time, stir the cornstarch mixture into the slow cooker. Replace the lid ajar to allow steam to escape and let the sauce simmer until it reaches the desired consistency.
06 - Transfer the chicken and vegetables to a serving platter, spooning the thickened sauce generously over the top. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The sauce hits that perfect sweet-savory balance that makes everyone reach for seconds
  • Set it and forget it cooking means dinner practically makes itself
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully for tomorrow's lunch
02 -
  • Cornstarch needs cold liquid to dissolve—hot water turns it into a useless glob
  • Leaving the lid off for the final 30 minutes is non-negotiable for thickening
  • The sauce thickens as it cools, so don't panic if it looks thinner than restaurants
03 -
  • Use tamari instead of soy sauce to make it gluten-free
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for 2 minutes to wake up their flavor

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