Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken

Name: Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 360 min
Total time: 365 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs; 10-12 ounces sweet and sour sauce ((1 jar)); 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper ((or more if you like more kick)); 20 ounces pineapple chunks in juice ((1 can, drained, reserve 1/4 cup of juice)); 14 ounces pepper and onion strips - optional ((1 bag))

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This Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken dish is both sweet and spicy, and so simple to make. This cheap chicken recipe is a weeknight dinner superstar. With only 4 ingredients, this tasty and super quick dinner couldn't get any easier!

Overhead close up shot of Hawaiian chicken in the crockpot with a black spoon on a grey marble counter. — The whole family will enjoy this flavorful and delicious crockpot Hawaiian chicken recipe!

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👩🏻‍🍳 Why You'll Love This Recipe
🥘 Ingredients Needed
🔪 Instructions
👪 FAQs
💭 Other Helpful Tips
📖 Variations
🥗 Suggested Side Dishes
🍗 More Chicken Recipes
📋 Recipe Card
💬 Reviews and Comments

👩🏻‍🍳 Why You'll Love This Recipe

This crockpot Hawaiian chicken is an absolute gem of a recipe. Only 4 ingredients, so easy to prepare, and it turns out delicious every time! If you're looking for a super simple weeknight meal and want to avoid sacrificing flavor and nutrition, this cheap chicken recipe is definitely for you.

If you want another easy and cheap chicken recipe like this one, you may also like this tasty Mediterranean Chicken Bake. It's loaded with Greek flavors and it’s absolutely delicious!

🥘 Ingredients Needed

Overhead shot of ingredients- chicken thighs, sweet and sour sauce, red pepper flakes, and pineapple chunks. — Only using four ingredients, this crockpot Hawaiian chicken recipe is super easy to prepare!

chicken thighs - stay tender and juicy thanks to the slow cooking process.
pineapple chunks - add a nice sweetness (be sure to save about ¼ cup of pineapple juice).
sweet and sour sauce - pairs perfectly with both the chicken and pineapple.
red pepper flakes - pack some extra heat.

🔪 Instructions

Four panel collage of process shots- mixing ingredients and layering them in the crockpot to cook. — With prep done in almost five minutes, this crockpot Hawaiian chicken recipe is a breeze!

Place pineapple chunks with juice, sweet and sour sauce, and red pepper flakes in a bowl.
Stir until well combined.
Place chicken thighs in slow cooker.
Pour pineapple mixture over the chicken and cook on low for 6-7 hours. Serve over rice.

👪 FAQs

Can you put raw chicken in the slow cooker?

Raw chicken is perfectly safe to put in the slow cooker as long as you're sure to cook it all the way through!

Is it better to cook chicken on high or low in the crockpot?

Low and slow is typically the better choice for cooking chicken in the crockpot. Even though you're adding liquid, if you cook it too hot you'll dry out the chicken. A lower temperature for longer ensures the chicken stays moist and tender.

What does pineapple juice do to chicken?

Pineapple juice not only sweetens and flavors your chicken, but it also contains certain enzymes that naturally tenderize your chicken and make it more moist without making it mushy or breaking it down into mush.

Side close up shot of Hawaiian chicken in a black bowl with rice and a black fork on the side on a grey marble countertop. — Ready in no time, these crockpot Hawaiian chicken thighs are perfect for a busy weekday!

💭 Other Helpful Tips

If you add vegetables to your Hawaiian chicken and you find they come out mushy, add them closer to the end of the cooking time.
At the end of cooking, you can also shred the chicken to give you more of a pulled chicken meal, perfect to serve on rolls!
For a thicker sauce, dissolve about about 2 tablespoons of cornstarch in warm water and add this to your crockpot half an hour or so before serving your chicken.

This cheap chicken recipe is perfect to make in large batches and keep for leftovers or use for meal prepping. It also makes a great weeknight meal; prepare in the morning and come home to dinner already made. That's the beauty of crockpot recipes!

📖 Variations

For additional sweetness, you can add some brown sugar and/or honey to the pineapple mixture.
For even more nutritional value, include frozen pepper and onion strips with the chicken when you cook it.
Serve this cheap chicken recipe over brown or white rice, or on top of your choice of pasta.
This recipe also works with other kinds of meat like beef chunks, ribs, or pork.
Other ingredients that will up the heat factor are jalapenos, cayenne pepper, or some hot sauce.

🥗 Suggested Side Dishes

Served over rice or noodles, this Hawaiian chicken already makes for a great meal, but pair it with a side like Air Fryer Green Beans to really knock it out of the park.

This Chipotle Lime Edamame is another great option, or you could serve it with this Quinoa Chickpea Salad.

This sweet and savory dish pairs well with so much, so don't be afraid to experiment!

🍗 More Chicken Recipes

Creamy Crockpot Chicken with Cayenne - Another easy and spicy chicken dish.
Instant Pot Chicken Curry - SO simple to make in the Instant Pot, this chicken curry is a fantastic comfort food!
Pan Fried Chicken Thighs with Green Beans - An all-encompassing meal that will give you all the flavor and nutrition you could ask for.
Honey Garlic Chicken Breast - This recipe from RecipeTin Eats is the perfect balance of sweet and savory!

Crockpot Pineapple Chicken (Cheap Chicken Recipe)

Love this recipe? Awesome! Please give it a 5 star ⭐ rating below! And if you make this, snap a photo and tag me on Instagram. You can find me at DizzyBusyandHungry or #dizzybusyandhungry!

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