This Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken is a sweet and savory tropical-inspired dinner the whole family will love! Tender chicken thighs simmer with pineapple, colorful bell peppers, and a flavorful, tangy sauce that’s perfect over rice. Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken is an easy recipe that gives big flavor with minimal effort.
Crockpot Pineapple Chicken
This easy slow cooker pineapple chicken recipe is a delicious balance of sweet, tangy, and savory. It combines juicy chicken with bright, tropical flavors in a simple, no-fuss meal.
It’s one of our favorite slow cooker chicken dinner ideas when we’re craving something bold, bright, and simple.
This recipe is made with pretty common pantry ingredients, and it's a dump-and-go recipe, so we make it often.
Why You’ll Love This Hawaiian Chicken Recipe
Tropical Flavor – Crushed pineapple, soy sauce, ginger, lime, and more add fresh, zesty savory & sweetness.
Tender Chicken Thighs – Juicy and hard to mess up from low-and-slow cooking.
Colorful & Nutritious – Bell peppers, onions, and garlic build flavor and texture.
Dump and Start – So easy to Make. Just dump everything in the slow cooker, stir, and let it go!
Perfect Over Rice – The delicious sweet & savory sauce made with pantry-friendly ingredients is so good over rice.
This tropical chicken recipe is a flavorful go-to weeknight meal that works great for meal prep, family dinners, or potlucks (you can double the recipe for crowds).
To make it even easier, try making the rice in your Instant Pot!
Ingredients in This Pineapple Chicken Recipe
• Crushed Pineapple (with juice) — adds natural sweetness and tropical flavor
• Sweet Onion — for a mild, savory base
• Green Onions — fresh, bright onion flavor and color
• Red, Orange or Yellow Bell Peppers — vibrant crunch, adds color and sweetness
• Garlic — aromatic depth and savory punch
• BBQ Sauce (or ketchup) — smoky sweetness or tangy tomato base
• Rice Wine Vinegar — balances with acidity and brightness
• Soy Sauce — adds umami and saltiness (I use low sodium)
• Ginger Powder — warm, slightly spicy undertone
• Red Pepper Flakes — gentle heat for a bit of kick
• Brown Sugar — deep sweetness to balance the tanginess
• Lime Juice — fresh citrus zing
• Salt & Pepper — seasoning essentials for the chicken thighs
• Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs — tender, juicy protein that soaks up flavor
TO THICKEN:
• Cornstarch — for a luscious, thickened sauce
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
Chicken Breasts – Sub in boneless, skinless chicken breasts. They may cook faster.
Ketchup – Use instead of BBQ sauce for a little less tangy flavor.
Apple Cider Vinegar – Works in place of rice vinegar.
Maple Syrup or Honey – Use instead of brown sugar Use about half the amount, taste, and add more if desired.
Add More Heat – Increase the red pepper flakes, toss in a chopped jalapeño, or drizzle on sriracha.
Extra Veggies – Stir in snap peas or broccoli during the last hour.
How to Make Easy Pineapple Chicken in the Slow Cooker
• Add the crushed pineapple (with juice), sweet onion, ¾ of the green onions, bell peppers, garlic, BBQ sauce, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, ginger powder, red pepper flakes, brown sugar, and lime juice to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
• Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper.
• Add chicken thighs to the slow cooker.
• Press the chicken into the sauce until covered.
• Cover and cook on Low for 3-4 hours or High for 2-3 hours, or until chicken reaches 175°F-185°F.
• About 45 minutes before serving, stir in the cornstarch and re-cover the slow cooker to finish cooking and thicken the sauce.
TIP: While the sauce thickens, cook your rice. I like to use my Instant Pot Rice recipe.
• Serve pineapple chicken thighs and sauce over rice and garnish with reserved green onion.
Pineapple Chicken in the Crockpot FAQs
- Can I use frozen chicken?
It’s best to thaw chicken first for food safety and even cooking. - Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes! Store in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop. - Can I freeze leftovers?
Absolutely. Let cool fully, then freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. - What rice is best to serve with this?
Long grain white rice, jasmine rice, brown rice, or coconut rice are all great choices.
I like making slow cooker dinner recipes as we have full schedules! Ideal for busy nights when you want something hearty and flavorful with minimal prep.
More Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes
Best Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie
Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken
Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
If you make this delicious Pineapple Chicken in the crockpot, please let me know. Just leave a comment below with a star rating. I'd love to hear from you!
Be sure to look at my Crock pot / slow cooker category for more slow cooker chicken dinner ideas, and more!
Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken is an easy crockpot meal full of tropical flavor! Juicy chicken thighs are simmered with crushed pineapple, bell peppers, and a sweet & savory sauce that’s perfect over rice.
- 1 20-oz can Crushed Pineapple (with the juice)
- 1 small Sweet Onion, chopped
- 4 Green Onions, chopped (set aside ¼ of it)
- 1 Red Bell Pepper, chopped
- 1 Orange or Yellow Bell Pepper, chopped
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- ¼ cup BBQ Sauce (or ketchup)
- ¼ cup Rice Wine Vinegar
- ¼ cup Soy Sauce (I use low sodium)
- ½ teaspoon Ginger Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- ¼ cup Brown Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Lime Juice
- Salt & Pepper to Taste
- 2 pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs* (see Notes)
- 2 Tablespoons Cornstarch
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Add the can of pineapple and its juice, onion, green onion (reserving ¼ of it for garnish), bell peppers, garlic, bbq sauce, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, red pepper flakes, brown sugar, and lime juice to the crock pot. Mix well.
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Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper to taste, then add them to the crock pot and press them into the sauce until they are covered.
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Cover the slow cooker and cook on Low for 3-4 hours, or High for 2-3 hours, or until the chicken thighs reach an internal temperature of 175°F-180°F.
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About 45 minutes before serving, stir in the cornstarch and place the lid back on to finish cooking and thicken the sauce.
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Start your rice cooking. I like to make my Instant Pot rice recipe.
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Stir and taste the sauce. Add salt if desired. Serve over rice, garnishing with the reserved green onion.
*You can cube the chicken thighs before seasoning and adding them to the slow cooker. This is especially convenient for serving children.
Estimated Nutrition Per 1-cup Serving without rice: 315 calories | 9g fat | 2.5g saturated fat | 120mg cholesterol | 690mg sodium | 26g carbohydrates | 2g fiber | 18g sugar | 31g protein
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