Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken
This slow cooker pineapple chicken is a sweet and savory dinner made with a rich homemade sauce of soy sauce, ketchup, pineapple juice, and pineapple tidbits. The chicken cooks low and slow until tender, then is shredded and mixed back into the sweet and tangy sauce. Serve it over steamed white rice so the flavorful sauce soaks into every bite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours (high) or 8 hours (low)
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes (high) or 8 hours 15 minutes (low)
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Chicken, Dinner
- Method: Crockpot, Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American, Asian-Inspired
Ingredients
Chicken
- 3–4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 TBSP butter (for searing)
Sauce
- 1 cup white sugar
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup pineapple juice
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 TBSP red wine vinegar
- 1 TBSP mustard
Add to Slow Cooker
-
1 (16 or 20 oz) can pineapple tidbits or crushed pineapple, drained
Optional thickening slurry
- 1½ tsp cornstarch
- 1½ tsp cold water
Optional garnish
- chopped fresh chives
- chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Season the chicken – Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides with the garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
- Sear the chicken – Melt the 2 TBSP butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 2–3 minutes per side until lightly golden. Avoid flipping the chicken repeatedly so it develops a light golden crust and preserves it’s juices.
- Transfer to the slow cooker – Transfer the seared chicken to the slow cooker, including any juices and browned bits remaining in the pan, which add extra flavor.
- Make the sauce – In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat combine the sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, ketchup, red wine vinegar, and mustard.
- Simmer the sauce – Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce slightly and allow it to gently simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is fully dissolved and the sauce is well combined.
- Add sauce and pineapple – Remove the sauce from heat and allow it to cool slightly. Pour the sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker. Add the drained pineapple tidbits and gently stir to distribute them around the chicken.
- Cook – Cover and cook:
- Low for 8 hours, or
- High for 4 hours
- Shred the chicken – About 30 minutes before serving, shred the chicken with two forks. (Or with the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or hand mixer) Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir it into the sauce.
- Optional: Thicken the sauce – If desired, mix the cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry. Stir it into the slow cooker during the final 20–30 minutes of cooking.
- Serve – Serve the pineapple chicken over steamed white rice and garnish with fresh chopped chives if desired.
Notes
Freezer Prep Option – This recipe can also be prepared ahead as a freezer meal.
- Place the chicken in a gallon freezer bag. Prepare the sauce and allow it to cool slightly, then pour it into the bag along with the drained pineapple. Seal, label, and freeze flat.
- To cook, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and cook according to the recipe instructions.
Serving Suggestion
- This slow cooker pineapple chicken is especially good served over steamed white rice, which absorbs the sweet and tangy sauce beautifully.
Helpful Recipes – If you enjoy easy slow cooker dinners like this, you might also enjoy:
- Homemade Steamed White Rice
- Browse my ever growing collection of Chicken Recipes
- Check out more Slow Cooker Recipes
- Browse more meals in the Easy Dinner Recipes collection
Find it online: https://ourgratefulkitchen.com/slow-cooker-pineapple-chicken/