There is something incredibly satisfying about the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors, and that is exactly what makes the Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken Recipe such a standout dish. This recipe delivers tender, juicy chicken bathed in a luscious pineapple-infused BBQ sauce that simmers slowly to meld the flavors into absolute perfection. It’s a fuss-free meal that feels like a tropical getaway on your plate, perfect for busy weeknights or weekend family dinners when you want big taste with minimal effort.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You don’t need a long list of fancy ingredients to create a fantastic Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken Recipe. Each component plays a vital role: the chicken provides the hearty base, the cornstarch and eggs give the chicken a light crispness, while the BBQ sauce, pineapple juice, and brown sugar create that luscious, finger-licking sauce that ties everything together.
- Chicken tenderloins: Cut into bite-size pieces for quick cooking and a tender bite every time.
- Cornstarch: Gives the chicken a light coating that crisps up briefly in the pan before slow-cooking.
- Eggs: Help the cornstarch stick to the chicken, creating that perfect initial crust.
- Vegetable oil: Used for browning the chicken quickly, adding extra flavor and texture.
- BBQ sauce: Choose your favorite bottle for depth and tang, the star of the slow cooker sauce.
- Pineapple juice: Brings the bright, tropical sweetness that makes this dish truly Hawaiian.
- Brown sugar: Adds a caramelized sweetness that deepens the sauce’s flavor.
- Green onions or scallions: Optional but recommended for a fresh, colorful garnish to finish.
How to Make Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Coating
Start by whisking together the eggs and cornstarch in a bowl. This simple mixture is what will give your chicken those perfectly crisp edges before it slow-cooks to tender perfection.
Step 2: Coat the Chicken
Toss your bite-sized chicken pieces in the egg and cornstarch mixture until each piece is evenly coated. This step ensures every bite has a lovely texture once browned.
Step 3: Brown the Chicken
Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Quickly brown the chicken pieces—remember, we’re only adding color and a little crispness here, so don’t cook them through. This adds depth and flavor to the final dish.
Step 4: Transfer Chicken to Slow Cooker
Once browned, place the chicken pieces directly into your slow cooker. This sets the stage for slow simmering in the delicious sauce.
Step 5: Make the Sauce
In the same bowl, combine your BBQ sauce, pineapple juice, and brown sugar. These ingredients are the magic behind the Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken Recipe’s signature sauce—sweet, tangy, and satisfyingly rich.
Step 6: Combine and Cook
Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker, then stir everything gently to coat. Cover and set to cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours. Halfway through, give it a stir to ensure nothing sticks and the flavors develop evenly. Slow cooker temperatures can vary, so keep an eye out for sauces thickening too quickly or burning.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of chopped green onions or scallions adds a fresh, vibrant pop of color and a mild oniony crunch, elevating the dish visually and taste-wise. Don’t skip this step—it really brightens things up.
Side Dishes
This Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken Recipe shines when paired with simple sides like steamed white rice or coconut rice, which soak up all that delicious sauce wonderfully. You can also offer some lightly sautéed vegetables or a crisp green salad to balance the sweetness of the main dish.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve your Hawaiian chicken over a bed of grilled pineapple rings or in lettuce cups for a light, refreshing presentation. If you’re feeling festive, garnish with toasted coconut flakes or a sprinkle of chopped macadamia nuts for a tropical flair your guests will rave about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken Recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making for tasty next-day meals or snacks.
Freezing
This dish freezes beautifully. Portion the chicken and sauce into freezer-safe containers or bags, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the refrigerator overnight for best results.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the chicken and sauce on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave until heated through. Adding a splash of pineapple juice or water can help rehydrate the sauce and keep it nice and saucy.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenderloins?
Absolutely! Just cut the chicken breasts into similarly sized bite pieces to ensure even cooking. Tenderloins are great for their tenderness and quick cooking time, but breasts work well too.
Is it necessary to brown the chicken before slow cooking?
While it’s not essential, browning the chicken adds extra flavor and texture that enhances the final dish. If you’re short on time, you can skip this step, but don’t expect the same depth of flavor.
Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot?
Yes, the Instant Pot works well! Use the sauté function to brown the chicken and then pressure cook on low for about 10 minutes. Remember to do a quick release and stir before serving.
How sweet is this Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken Recipe?
The sweetness is balanced by the tang of the BBQ sauce and pineapple juice. The brown sugar adds just enough caramelized sweetness without being overpowering, making it delightful for most palates.
What can I substitute for cornstarch if I don’t have any?
You can use arrowroot powder or tapioca starch as a 1:1 substitute. These alternatives will give a similar crispy coating to the chicken before slow cooking.
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken Recipe is truly a crowd-pleaser with its irresistible blend of sweet and savory flavors that come together effortlessly. Whether you’re cooking for family or friends, this dish guarantees smiles and seconds at the table. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite go-to slow cooker meal.
Print
Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Description
This Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken recipe combines tender chicken pieces coated in a light cornstarch-egg batter, quickly browned, then slow cooked in a sweet and tangy sauce made with BBQ sauce, pineapple juice, and brown sugar. The result is a flavorful and juicy Hawaiian-inspired dish, perfect served over rice and garnished with fresh scallions for a delightful meal.
Ingredients
Chicken and Coating
- 1 to 1 1/2 pounds chicken tenderloins, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
Sauce
- 18 ounces BBQ sauce (bottle of your favorite variety)
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
Garnish
- Green onions or scallions (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Combine eggs and cornstarch: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and cornstarch until smooth, forming a batter to coat the chicken pieces.
- Coat chicken pieces: Dip each bite-sized chicken tenderloin piece into the egg and cornstarch mixture, ensuring each piece is fully coated.
- Heat oil: In a large skillet, heat 1 cup of vegetable oil over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking.
- Brown chicken: Quickly fry the coated chicken pieces in the hot oil, turning to brown all sides lightly. The goal is to develop color, not to cook the chicken fully through at this stage.
- Transfer to slow cooker: Place the browned chicken pieces into the slow cooker evenly.
- Prepare sauce: In a separate mixing bowl, combine BBQ sauce, pineapple juice, and brown sugar. Stir well to incorporate the brown sugar fully.
- Add sauce to chicken: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker and stir gently to coat all pieces evenly.
- Slow cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 3 to 4 hours. Check the dish halfway through and stir to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.
- Garnish and serve: Once cooked, garnish with chopped green onions or scallions if desired. Serve the Hawaiian chicken hot over a bed of rice.
Notes
- Be careful not to overcook the chicken while browning; it should only develop light color.
- Adjust the sweetness by modifying the amount of brown sugar based on your preference.
- If you don’t have a slow cooker, you can simmer the sauce and chicken gently on the stovetop, but cooking time will be reduced.
- The dish pairs excellently with steamed white rice or fried rice.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure your BBQ sauce is gluten-free and use a suitable cornstarch or substitute.
