Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken
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Everyone’s takeout favorite made right in the crockpot! The chicken is SO TENDER and JUICY bursting with so much flavor!
I’m still shopping for a new oven due to measurement issues at the new house. Thankfully, my trusted crockpot came to the rescue.
PRAISE. And yes, the weather is getting warmer and Spring is right around the corner. But let’s keep these slow cookers out of the garage and dust-free.
They should really be utilized all year long, not just for the Winter months. Plus, this pineapple chicken needs to be made on the daily, guys.
It’s sweet, tangy and savory in every bite. And those juicy, flavor-soaked pineapple chunks and veggies are E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G.
Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken
Ingredients
- 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
- 3 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha, optional
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 (8-ounce) can pineapple chunks, juices reserved
- 1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, juices reserved
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 red onion, chopped
- ½ teaspoon sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
Instructions
- Season chicken with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add chicken, skin-side down, and sear both sides until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side; drain excess fat and set chicken aside.
- In a large bowl, combine pineapple juice, chicken broth, brown sugar, soy sauce, honey, vinegar, Sriracha, garlic and ginger.
- Place chicken thighs into a 6-qt slow cooker. Stir in pineapple juice mixture. Top with pineapple chunks, crushed pineapple and reserved juices.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 5-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours, basting every few hours.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup water and cornstarch. Stir in cornstarch mixture, bell pepper and onion into the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high heat for an additional 30-60 minutes, or until sauce is thickened.
- Serve chicken immediately, garnished with sesame seeds and parsley, if desired.
Did you make this recipe?
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Making this right now and followed directs but it appears very liquid-y and has been in the crock pot on low for almost 6 hours??
Yes, this is completely normal. You will be adding in cornstarch at the very end as a thickening agent.
How long do I cook it in the crock pot if I am making only 6 thighs?
we followed the directions exactly. It came out like a whole bunch of liquid that was just a pale yellow color. I had to add extra cornstarch to try to thicken the sauce. the sauce just tasted like gravy. it doesn’t look anything like the picture that you show. I am kind of disappointed. The flavor just tastes like chicken broth. Maybe I should make it without the chicken broth next time?
If I choose to broil the chicken, it do I broil BEFORE putting in the crock pot to cook?
If the recipe is made with chicken breasts, will it taste better with the skin on or about the same with skinless breasts? Thank You!
1. It is best to broil AFTER, not BEFORE.
2. I personally find it better with the skin-on, but this really depends on personal preference.
I followed the recipe in the slow cooker for 6 hours and the chicken is dry? What could have caused that? 🙁
The chicken may have been overcooked?
Made it for her dinner but need the sauce to be thicker any ideas
You can add additional cornstarch as needed until the desired consistency is reached.
I put this in the crockpot at lunchtime for supper tonight. I am going to have my husband throw the thighs on the grill for a few minutes rather than put them under the broiler. Has anyone tried this?
Just double-checking – this recipe requires 1 cup of pineapple juice AND IN ADDITION a can of pineapple chunks with juices from the can ?
Yes, but you can add as little or as much as you’d like – isn’t that the beauty of home cooking? 🙂
Made this for dinner tonight & it was delicious. My husband said it was a KEEPER! I used fresh pineapple cubed; puréed fresh pineapple for the 1cup of juice; & used 1 1/2 TBSP of garlic powder. I don’t use a crock pot but an Emile Henry dutch oven – brought to a boil then simmered on low. Thank you for such a moist & tasty chicken dish. I can’t wait to check out your other recipes!
Mine seemed a little watery after cooking…not sure what I did wrong here. I made it work by using the excess sauce to make a batch of brown rice which I then served it over…was delicious!
Can I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead?
Yes.
Tried this tonight in conventional oven, 350 degrees for 90 minutes, then cranked it at the end to brown it more. Very good! I also added shallots, red and green peppers. Next time I’ll add a little more soy sauce and maybe some Tabasco for heat.
This looks like an incredible recipe! Just wondering if there is a substitute for the soy sauce of if i can just omit it?
Unfortunately, without further recipe testing, I cannot answer with certainty. As always, please use your best judgment regarding substitutions and modifications.
Use “Raw Coconut Aminos”. It is a soy-free seasoning sauce. My nutritionist told me about this years ago and I am so glad she did. I cannot have gluten, dairy or soy.
My 5 year old and I just put this in the slow cooker! Excited to try it in a few hours!! THANK YOU for always having amazing recipes. 🙂
I dont know what I did wrong. The flavor wasn’t as robust as I expected to be. Can I add anything else to fix it?
Oh no – I’m so sorry that this recipe did not turn out the way you had imagined.
You can try to increase the sauce ingredients as needed to suit your preferences a little better.
Can I add peppercorns? I like a bit of heat
Yes!
Made recipe exactly, using checken legs. My crockpot is super hot so I cooked on low for 3 hours. The chicken was moist and perfectly cooked, but no flavor from marinade at all. Any longer cooking would have dried out the chicken.
Love the recipe-a-day idea! I’m always looking for something new.
Most recipes are quite easy and taste marvelous!
Thank you.
This was my maiden voyage in the slow cooker. Mine was 4 qt and I didn’t adjust any ingredients but less chicken and more cornstarch (lol) so mine came out yummy but very gooey. Put it on pasta with some red pepper flakes and a little jerk seasoning – delicious!
We are a paleo family. Can Honey be substituted for the suagr?
Yes, absolutely.