Name: Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 360 min
Ingredients: 2 cups boneless skinless chicken breast (diced); 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon pepper; 1-½ cup red and yellow bell peppers; ½ cup fresh pineapple juice; 1-½ cup pineapple chunks; 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; ¼ cup brown sugar; ¼ cup soy sauce; 2 tablespoon sriracha; 2 cloves garlic (crushed); 2 tablespoons cornstarch; ½ cup fresh orange juice; Sesame seeds for topping

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Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken is tender chicken breast cooked in a sweet and spicy sauce that is loaded down with peppers. I love to serve this slow cooker pineapple chicken recipe with white or jasmine rice. However, the options to serve with this flavorful meal are endless.

This slow cooker Hawaiian chicken is so delicious, and it's perfect for busy weeknights. It only takes 10 minutes to prep the ingredients, and then you just let your crock pot do all of the work! The chicken turns out tender with a sweet and tangy flavor from pineapple juice.

Slow cooker Hawaiian chicken is an excellent dish for people who want to enjoy the taste of Hawaii without leaving their kitchen. You can easily make this dish in your slow cooker, and it will be ready when you get home from work!

The recipe calls for a few simple ingredients that are commonly found at any grocery store.

I love making slow cooker meals in the summer. When you are making slow cooker meals, it saves you from heating up the oven and the house.

Plus, you can start your slow cooker and then head out to the pool for the day. When you return from the swimming pool, you can have dinner ready to eat.

Should I use a slow cooker liner or not

I am not a massive fan of using slow cooker liners. Maybe it's just a weird thing for myself, but I find that when I use a slow cooker liner that it changes the taste of my meals.

However, using a slow cooker liner will save you time on scrubbing your slow cooker, and I know sometimes saving your sanity and making cleaning easier is worth the extra cost of the liner.

No matter if you decide to use a slow cooker liner or not, your recipe will turn out delicious either way.

What is Hawaiian chicken

It is a sweet and tangy dish that is made with pineapple chunks, chicken meat, brown sugar, and veggies like bell peppers. This healthy and flavorful meal is not only dairy free but only takes 15 minutes of prep time.

What is sriracha

Sriracha sauce is a spicy Thai chili sauce that is perfect for adding a little spice to a dish. It can be used as an ingredient or condiment and has been described as having flavors of garlic, vinegar, saltiness, and capsaicin. Sriracha also contains sugar which balances out the heat from the chilies.

What size slow cooker do I need for this recipe

I used a 6 quart slow cooker to make this tasty slow cooker pineapple chicken recipe. A larger slow cooker would also work well for this recipe. I do not recommend using anything smaller than a 4 quart slow cooker.

How to store leftovers

To refrigerate: First, let leftover Hawaiian chicken completely cool. Then, transfer it to an air-tight container and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you want to keep track of how many days it has been in the refrigerator, write out a date and label it before placing it in the fridge.

To freeze: Let the dish completely cool. Use a freezer-safe container to freeze it for up to 3 months. To thaw your slow cooker pineapple chicken, you can thaw it overnight and then heat it up using the microwave.

How do I choose a ripe pineapple

A ripe pineapple is a little more yellow than green, and the skin should be smooth. The leaves at the top of the fruit should also be healthy and not browning or dying off.

You also want a fresh pineapple that has a little give when you squeeze it. A completely firm pineapple is unlikely to be ripe.

Using these methods to help you choose a ripe pineapple will ensure that you get to enjoy all of its sweet, juicy flavors! Speaking of pineapple, have you ever tried a pink pineapple? They are very sweet and delicious.

Can I make this recipe with a different type of chicken

Absolutely, you can use boneless skinless chicken thighs. If you don't mind bone-in meat, then your options are endless. I personally think that this slow cooker Hawaiian chicken recipe would even work well with pork chops or a pork roast.

How do I pick a ripe bell pepper

Here are some tips for selecting ripe bell peppers at the grocery store. No matter what color bell peppers you are looking to purchase, the rules for picking out a ripe bell pepper are the same.

Look for a bell pepper that feels heavy and has no blemishes or soft spots. The stem should be tight, too. Avoid choosing a bell pepper with wrinkles. A wrinkled bell pepper is past its prime.

There is some belief that a bell pepper with three knobs on the bottom is less sweet than a bell pepper with four knobs. I haven't found this to be true personally. However, if you prefer to look for four if you want to give this theory a try yourself.

Is Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken spicy

My slow cooker Hawaiian chicken recipe does include red pepper flakes and sriracha sauce. The combination of these two flavorful ingredients does make this delicious slow cooker meal a little spicy.

I personally find that it gives this dish the perfect blend of sweetness and heat. However, if you are not a fan of spicy meals, feel free to reduce the heat by omitting the red pepper flakes and reducing the sriracha sauce.

You can always add some a little at a time until you get to the heat level that your family enjoys.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken

2 cups boneless skinless chicken breast, diced
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1-½ cup red and yellow bell peppers
½ cup fresh pineapple juice
1-½ cup pineapple chunks
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
¼ cup brown sugar
¼ cup soy sauce
2 tablespoon sriracha
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons cornstarch
½ cup fresh orange juice
Sesame seeds for topping

How to Make Pineapple Chicken

Coat the bottom of the slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
Place diced chicken pieces in the bottom of the slow cooker and stop with salt and pepper. Stir gently to coat chicken in the seasonings.
Add all other ingredients except for cornstarch and orange juice. Cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-6 hours, stirring occasionally.
Once cooking time is complete, add in cornstarch and orange juice and cook on high for 30 minutes.
Scoop from the slow cooker and serve immediately.

Notes:

Begin to taste the dish about halfway through the cooking process and adjust salt & pepper if needed.
Serve over a bed of white rice.
Serve the dish in carved out pineapples for additional flare!

The next time you're cooking up something delicious in your slow cooker and want to make it even better, give this recipe for pineapple chicken a whirl. It only requires twelve essential ingredients and takes all of 15 minutes of prep work before throwing everything into the crockpot. The result is tender meat with an excellent sweet-and-savory flavor profile that will leave everyone coming back for seconds!

I hope you enjoyed this recipe for slow cooker pineapple chicken! Let me know in the comments below if it was a hit with your family. Be sure to check out some of my links below for more of my delicious recipes.

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