This easy Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken is exploding with sweet, savory and tangy flavors, and needs just 5 minutes of prep time to make! Chicken breasts are cooked to perfection in the slow cooker until nice and tender, in a base of an irresistibly delicious sauce that is ridiculously easy to make.
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Crockpot dinners are my absolute go-to, especially on cold weeknights when I don’t feel like spending a lot of time in the kitchen. And of course, it always helps that there are fewer dishes to do afterwards.
For pasta nights, I turn to my Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese or my Bacon Mac and Cheese, and for extra chilly nights that call for a nice bowl of soup, I make my favorite Crockpot Hamburger Soup.
This Hawaiian style chicken, though, is one of my newest creations, and has those beautiful, bright and sweet flavors that will just put you in a good mood.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Lip-smacking delicious: The sweet, tangy and tropical flavors of this dish are unlike anything else. The balance is perfect, and once you give it a try, it is sure to be a mealtime favorite!
- Easy to make: You’ll need just 4 ingredients and a few minutes of your time to prep for this recipe. It doesn’t get better than this!
- Quick family dinner: It’s the perfect set and forget weeknight dinner that is sure to be a hit with everyone in the family.
- Customizable: The bright flavors of the sauce can be customized and tweaked to your liking too. Adjust the ingredients and add in other seasonings if you want to.
Ingredients
- Chicken: I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. They’re inexpensive and so convenient too. You can also use chicken thighs, but I would recommend using a boneless cut.
- Salsa: Pick your favorite chunky salsa. A tomato-based salsa is best.
- BBQ sauce: Any classic BBQ sauce should work just fine.
- Pineapple: I used a can of crushed pineapple in light syrup. The texture is just perfect, and the syrup adds a nice sweetness to the sauce.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Add veggies: Red and green bell peppers, carrots, green beans, and onions all have beautiful flavors that complement the sweet, sticky sauce. You can add them in too!
- Make it spicy: To lend the Crockpot pineapple chicken a bit of heat, add in a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes. Sliced jalapenos can also be a fantastic addition to the dish.
- Hawaiian pork: Swap the chicken breasts for pork chops instead. Just be sure to check for doneness as they may take more or less time depending on their thickness.
How to Make Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken
To make the Slow Cooker Hawaiian chicken, start by getting all your ingredients ready.
Step 1: Prepare the sauce. Combine the pineapple (with the liquid), salsa and BBQ sauce in your Crockpot and give it a nice stir.
Step 2: Add chicken. Add the chicken into the pot on the top, and spoon some of the sauce over the chicken to cover it.
Step 3: Cook. Cook this on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours. Turn off the crockpot, give everything a quick mix and serve hot!
Recipe Tips
- Time it right: If you’re adding veggies into the mix, make sure you add them in during the final hour of cooking, so that they don’t get mushy. You may also need to adjust the cooking time depending on the cut of meat you’re using.
- Thicken it up: if your sauce seems runny, you can thicken up the sauce by adding a simple slurry made using some cornstarch (or arrowroot powder) and water into the mixture, and letting it cook for another minute while stirring it.
If you love Hawaiian-inspired recipes like this one, you may also enjoy my Hawaiian pork chop recipe!
Storage Directions
- Storing: If you have some leftover Hawaiian Crockpot chicken, allow it to cool down and transfer it to an airtight container. You can then refrigerate the dish for 3-4 days, and reheat it whenever you want to.
- Reheating: Reheat in the microwave, pausing at every 30 second interval until it has warmed up. You can also reheat it in a pan or a skillet over the stovetop. Just make sure you keep the heat medium-low and keep stirring it.
- Freezing: You can also make it ahead of time and freeze it for later if you want to. Just make sure you use a freezer-safe container or bag to prevent freezer burn, and allow it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before you reheat it the next day.
Serving Suggestions
- The simplest, easiest way to enjoy this slow cooker Hawaiian chicken is to pair it with some steamed rice or coconut rice if you’re looking to make it a whole tropical affair.
- You can also have a vegetable side dish like sweet green beans or broiled asparagus if you’re looking for something simple, or try a nice vegetable medley casserole if you've got a little extra time.
- End with something sweet that's Hawaiian-inspired like this pineapple ice cream or pineapple pie.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Preheat the oven to 400°F and add your chicken and sauce to a 9x13 casserole dish. Cover with foil and cook for 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165°F.
I used a 6 quart slow cooker but a larger slow cooker would also work well for this recipe and is perfect to use when you want to double the recipe to serve a crowd or prep some for later. Just be sure you don't fill the slow cooker up past two-thirds full for the best results. A smaller crockpot may take longer to cook.
You can! If you have some fresh pineapple at hand, you can chop it up finely or blitz the chunks in a food processor while keeping it slightly chunky to get it to the right texture. You’ll also need a can of pineapple juice for the sauce.
Video
More Delicious Crockpot Chicken Recipes
Do you like cooking chicken in the crockpot? Here are some recipes you may like to try next.
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section, I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
4 Ingredient Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken
Equipment
- 6–8-quart crock pot
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts about 3-4 small breasts
- 1 can crushed pineapple in light syrup or 100% juice
- 1 bottle BBQ Sauce
- 1 cup chunky Salsa
Instructions
- In the basin of your crockpot, combine the pineapple (with the liquid), BBQ sauce and salsa and stir well.
- Nestle the chicken into the sauce and use a spoon to cover the chicken in the mixture.
- Cook on high for 3 hours or low 6 hours.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure that your chicken has reached 165°F before removing the chicken from your crockpot. Spoon some of the sauce over the chicken and serve warm.
Notes
- If you have some fresh pineapple at hand, you can chop it up finely or blitz the chunks in a food processor to mimic the texture of crushed pineapple. You’ll also need a can of pineapple juice for the sauce.
- Serve up your chicken some steamed rice or coconut rice.
- If you'd rather make this dish in the oven it works great. First, preheat the oven to 400°F and add your chicken and sauce to a 9x13 casserole dish. Cover with foil and cook for 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165°F.
Nutrition
This post was originally published in July 2021. It's been updated with new images and content.
Candy says
We all loved this easy recipe. I will definitely be making this again. Super tasty. Thx for sharing 💕
Karin and Ken says
As always you’re most welcome. I try my best. You just made my day. All the best. Karin
Samantha says
So easy and delicious. Definitely a keeper. No leftovers and I was asked to make it again. Thank you for sharing.
Karin and Ken says
We never have leftovers too. So happy you enjoyed this easy recipe. All the best. Karin
Shiela says
What an awesome chicken dish. It's just perfect. Even my step dad liked it and he is Pickler than my kids. Thanks 😊
Karin and Ken says
Im glad to hear you all enjoyed it! My picky eaters love it too. All the best. Karin