Easy Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken Recipe with Pineapple and Peppers for Perfect Weeknight Dinner
A simple and flavorful crockpot recipe combining tender chicken, sweet pineapple, and crunchy bell peppers for a fuss-free, tropical-inspired weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 40 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks
- 2 large bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange), sliced into thin strips
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey or brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup water or chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (optional, for thickening)
Instructions
- Pat 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Slice 2 large bell peppers into thin strips and thinly slice 1 medium onion. Cut 2 cups fresh pineapple into bite-sized pieces if not pre-cut.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce, 1/4 cup honey, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 2 minced garlic cloves, and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
- Place the chicken pieces at the bottom of the crockpot, then top evenly with sliced onions and half the bell peppers. Pour half the sauce over everything.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.
- After 4 hours, stir in the remaining bell peppers and pineapple chunks, plus the rest of the sauce. Cook on high for an additional 30 minutes.
- If desired, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water and stir into the crockpot. Cook for 10 more minutes on high until the sauce thickens.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve warm over steamed rice or cauliflower rice.
Notes
Add peppers halfway through cooking to keep their crunch. Searing chicken before slow cooking is optional but adds flavor. Use fresh pineapple for best flavor; frozen works if thawed and drained. For gluten-free, substitute tamari for soy sauce and use cornstarch or arrowroot powder as thickener. Vegan option: substitute chicken with firm tofu and use vegetable broth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup per serv
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
Keywords: crockpot chicken, Hawaiian chicken, pineapple chicken, slow cooker recipe, weeknight dinner, easy dinner, sweet and savory chicken