Easy Crockpot Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Teriyaki
A flavorful and fuss-free slow cooker recipe combining juicy chicken thighs with a sweet and tangy pineapple-teriyaki glaze, perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Hawaiian / Asian Fusion
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 ½ cups fresh pineapple chunks
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- ½ cup pineapple juice
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 green onions, sliced (optional)
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse and pat dry the chicken thighs. Trim any excess fat.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, pineapple juice, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and grated ginger until sugar dissolves.
- Place chicken thighs evenly at the bottom of the crockpot. Pour the mixed sauce over the chicken. Scatter fresh pineapple chunks on top.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until chicken is tender and shreds easily.
- About 20 minutes before serving, mix cornstarch with water to make a slurry. Stir the slurry into the crockpot, cover, and cook for the remaining time to thicken the sauce.
- After cooking, stir gently, taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
- Serve over steamed white rice, brown rice, or quinoa. Add steamed vegetables or a green salad if desired.
Notes
For a slight caramelized edge, sear chicken thighs in a hot pan before adding to the crockpot. Use tamari instead of soy sauce for gluten-free. Adjust sugar to taste or substitute with honey or coconut sugar. Add crushed red pepper flakes or sriracha for a spicy kick. Fresh pineapple is preferred but canned or frozen thawed pineapple works too.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 20
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
Keywords: crockpot chicken, pineapple chicken, teriyaki chicken, slow cooker recipe, easy dinner, Hawaiian chicken, weeknight meal