Sweet Hawaiian Chicken (Printable)
Tender chicken combined with pineapple, bell peppers, and savory sauce for an easy meal.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
→ Sauce
02 - 1 cup pineapple juice
03 - 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
04 - 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
05 - 1/2 cup ketchup
06 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
07 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
08 - 2 tablespoons water
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
→ Vegetables & Fruit
11 - 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
12 - 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
13 - 1 medium onion, sliced
14 - 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks, drained
→ Garnish
15 - 2 green onions, sliced
16 - Sesame seeds
# How-To Steps:
01 - Place the chicken thighs or breasts in an even layer at the bottom of the slow cooker insert.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and grated ginger until the sugar dissolves completely.
03 - Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken. Arrange the sliced onion, bell pepper pieces, and pineapple chunks on top of the chicken and sauce.
04 - Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on LOW setting for 4 to 5 hours, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and is tender enough to shred easily.
05 - Remove the cooked chicken and vegetables from the slow cooker using a slotted spoon. Transfer to a serving platter and cover loosely with aluminum foil to keep warm.
06 - In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth and no lumps remain.
07 - Pour the cooking liquid from the slow cooker into a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Gradually whisk in the cornstarch slurry while stirring constantly. Continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
08 - Pour the thickened sauce over the chicken and vegetables on the serving platter. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately while hot, accompanied by steamed white or coconut rice.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting while you go about your day
- That perfect balance of sweet and tangy makes everyone ask for seconds
02 -
- The sauce will seem thin when you first pour it but that cornstarch step transforms it completely
- Letting the chicken rest in the sauce for even 5 minutes makes it more tender
03 -
- Marinate the chicken in half the sauce for 30 minutes before cooking if you have time
- Use gluten-free soy sauce to make this completely gluten-free without losing any flavor