Sweet Hawaiian Chicken Dish (Printable)

Succulent chicken with pineapple and bell peppers, cooked slow for tender, flavorful results.

# What You Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into large chunks

→ Vegetables & Fruit

02 - 1 large red bell pepper, chopped
03 - 1 large green bell pepper, chopped
04 - 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
05 - 1 (20 oz) can pineapple chunks in juice, drained (reserve juice)

→ Sauce Components

06 - 3/4 cup pineapple juice (from reserved can)
07 - 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
08 - 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
09 - 1/4 cup ketchup
10 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
12 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
13 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
14 - 2 tablespoons water (only if thickening sauce)

→ Garnish

15 - 2 tablespoons sliced green onions
16 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

# How To Make:

01 - Arrange chicken pieces evenly across the bottom of the slow cooker insert.
02 - Distribute chopped red and green bell peppers, onion, and drained pineapple chunks over the chicken layer.
03 - In a medium bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, minced garlic, grated ginger, and rice vinegar until the sugar dissolves completely.
04 - Evenly pour the prepared sauce mixture over the chicken and vegetables in the slow cooker.
05 - Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or on LOW for 6-7 hours, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and shreds easily with a fork.
06 - During the final 20 minutes of cooking, whisk cornstarch and water in a small bowl to form a slurry. Stir into the slow cooker, cover, and continue cooking until the sauce reaches desired consistency.
07 - Taste the dish and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot over steamed jasmine rice, garnished with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It transforms five minutes of prep into a meal that tastes like you spent all day cooking
  • The sauce strikes that perfect balance between tangy and sweet that makes everyone go back for seconds
02 -
  • The sauce will taste quite salty when you first mix it, but the sweetness balances out as it cooks and the chicken releases its juices
  • Opening the lid too often adds twenty minutes of cooking time each time—resist the urge to check on it
03 -
  • Spray your slow cooker insert with cooking spray before adding ingredients—this sweet sauce loves to stick
  • Line your countertop with a towel under the slow cooker lid when you open it—condensation will drip everywhere and this sauce is a nightmare to clean once it hardens

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