Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken (Printable)
Tender chicken with sweet pineapple, bell peppers, and savory sauce. Easy preparation for flavorful meals.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 red bell pepper, chopped
03 - 1 green bell pepper, chopped
04 - 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
→ Fruit
05 - 1 (20 oz) can pineapple chunks in juice, drained (reserve juice)
→ Sauce
06 - 1/2 cup reserved pineapple juice
07 - 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
08 - 1/4 cup ketchup
09 - 3 tbsp brown sugar
10 - 2 tbsp rice vinegar
11 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
12 - 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger
13 - 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
→ Thickener
14 - 2 tbsp cornstarch
15 - 2 tbsp cold water
→ Garnish
16 - 2 green onions, sliced
17 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
# Directions:
01 - Whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes in a medium bowl until well combined.
02 - Arrange chicken thighs in the bottom of the slow cooker. Distribute bell peppers, onion, and pineapple chunks evenly over the chicken.
03 - Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and vegetables, ensuring even coverage.
04 - Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours until chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
05 - Mix cornstarch with cold water in a small bowl to create a smooth slurry.
06 - Stir the cornstarch mixture into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes. Continue cooking with the lid off to allow sauce to thicken properly.
07 - Plate the chicken with vegetables and sauce. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve with steamed rice if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The sauce strikes that perfect balance between sweet pineapple and savory soy sauce that makes everyone ask for seconds
- It's one of those dump and go recipes that makes you look like you put in way more effort than you actually did
02 -
- I once forgot to thicken the sauce and ended up with delicious but soupy chicken, so don't skip the cornstarch step
- Adding the cornstarch mixture during the last 30 minutes with the lid off is crucial for getting that perfect glaze consistency
03 -
- Use fresh ginger and garlic rather than powdered for the brightest, most authentic flavor
- Don't stir too much after adding the cornstarch or the chicken might shred more than you want