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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Can I put everything together in a large ziploc bag (besides cornstarch and water mixture) and freeze it to use later? Thanks!
Unfortunately, I cannot answer this with certainty as I have never tried freezing this myself – there were no leftovers left to freeze! Please use your best judgment for freezing and reheating.
I would not add the pineapple chunks if you choose to freeze the ingredients. Since prep time is so minimal, why not thaw the chicken overnight and start from the beginning?
Love your recipes! Have shared your website with countless friends, family, and coworkers. Question, if I want to add some bell peppers and red onion, should they go in from the beginning or later in the cooking?
I recommend adding during the last 30 min-1 hour of cooking time. Hope that helps!
My family would love this for dinner! I need to make it very soon!
Looks delicious! When you say pineapple chunks, juice reserved, does that juice become the 1 cup the recipe calls for?
It’s actually additional pineapple juice – no need to let it go to waste, right? 🙂
What’s the purpose of reserving the juices from the canned pineapple if you just add it all in at the same time in step 4?
It is just meant to tell you not to drain the canned pineapple since the juices will be used. I hope that helps, Laurie! 🙂
I only have 4 settings on my crock pot, 4 or 6 hours on high and 8 or 10 hours on low. I’m assuming 4 hrs on high would be too long, so can I just use this setting and stop it at the 2-3 hr mark? I’ve tried to make chicken (whole and boneless skinless thighs) in the crockpot, but neither turned out well. I just showed my hubby this recipe and told him I’m gonna try to make chicken one last time in the crockpot because this recipe looks so good.
Thanks for getting back to me.
Yes, absolutely.
If your crock pot is an older version, try plugging it in to a timer , set your desired time and setting and give it a go. If that does not work, perhaps add a new crock pot to your wish list.
Hello – what side would suggest having with this?
My absolute favorite side dish is the garlic parmesan roasted potatoes. But please feel free to check out all of my side dish recipes here.
Rice cooked in chicken broth with an assortment of veggies should round out the meal nicely. Snow peas, mini corn and carrots add crunch and color.
Totally loving this slow cooker pineapple chicken! It definitely makes for the perfect make ahead dinner!
Thank you for the nice recipe.
This looks sooo good I am drooling lol…. I’m wondering what temperature and time would you do if cooking this in oven rather than crockpot?… Thanks! 🙂
I recommend 400 degrees F, letting the chicken reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Will it work if I make only a half recipe but still use a 6 qt crockpot? Would the cook time change? I love your recipes!
Yes, cooking time may have to be adjusted accordingly.
Wonder if I can just use chicken breast for this recipe,if so, how much should I need it?
Yes, absolutely. About 2-3 thighs is equal to 1 breast.
If you use fresh pineapple instead of canned, do you need some other type of liquid instead of the juice from the can? Looks so tasty.
The 1 cup pineapple juice should be sufficient.
I’ve made this with any juice concentrate I’ve got in my freezer. I like to keep orange-pineapple juice on hand specifically for recipes like this – I’ll put in about 1/3 cup of concentrate to equal 1 cup pineapple juice.
can you sussitute boneless breasts?
Yes, absolutely.
Greaat I don’t like thighs
.how many boneless, skinless chicken breasts equivalent to 12 thighs?
Depending on the size of the chicken, it would take two to three thighs to equal one breast.
Would this work with boneless/skinless chicken breast as well?
Yes, absolutely.
Any idea of nutrition? Calories, protein, carbs?
Nutritional information is provided only for select and new recipes at this time. However, if it is not available for a specific recipe, I recommend using free online resources at your discretion (you can Google “nutritional calculator”) to obtain such information.
This sounds good! I love pineapple. Do the pineapple chunks go in the oven with the chicken, or served with the chicken after it comes out of oven?
Either/or will work just fine!
Do you know the calorie difference between thighs and boneless skinless breasts?
Seriously?
What do you think about making this with skinless chicken strips? Would that work?
Yes, absolutely, but cooking time may have to be adjusted accordingly.
Boy – this sure looks delicious! Can’t wait to try it.