Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Boneless chicken thighs work wonderfully in this recipe and often result in even more tender, flavorful meat. They're more forgiving if cooked a bit longer, but you may want to trim excess fat before cooking. The cooking time remains similar – about 7-8 hours on low or 4-5 hours on high.

Why is my sauce too runny?

This happens sometimes depending on your chicken and pineapple. Some chicken releases more liquid during cooking, and pineapple juice content can vary. The easiest fix is making a cornstarch slurry – mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water, stir it into your crockpot, and cook on high for 10 more minutes. The sauce will thicken beautifully without affecting flavor.

Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot instead?

Yes! Add all ingredients to your Instant Pot, seal, and cook on high pressure for 12 minutes with a 10-minute natural release. Shred the chicken, then use the sauté function for 5-10 minutes if you need to reduce the sauce. You'll have the same great flavor in a fraction of the time.

What's the best way to serve this for a complete meal?

My favorite way is over steamed rice with a side of steamed broccoli or a simple green salad. The rice soaks up the amazing sauce, and the vegetables balance the sweetness. For something different, try serving it in lettuce cups, over quinoa, or as filling for Hawaiian slider buns with a bit of coleslaw on top.

Pineapple Chicken Crockpot Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Recipe

Description

This easy Crockpot Hawaiian BBQ Pineapple Chicken recipe combines tender, slow-cooked chicken breasts with sweet and tangy barbecue sauce and pineapple for a tropical-inspired main course. With minimal prep and bursting with flavor, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale

Poultry
3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Sauces & Liquids
1 bottle (about 18 oz) sweet BBQ sauce
1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple (with juice, undrained)
Optional Seasonings & Toppings
Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste (optional)
Ground or fresh ginger, to taste (optional)
Brown sugar, to taste (optional)
Garlic powder, to taste (optional)
Soy sauce, to taste (optional)
Green onions, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Red pepper flakes, for garnish (optional)
To Thicken Sauce (if needed)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1–2 tablespoons cold water

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Instructions

Layer the Chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts in one even layer in the bottom of your crockpot.
Add BBQ Sauce: Pour the entire bottle of sweet BBQ sauce over the chicken, making sure each piece is completely coated to infuse flavor throughout the cooking process.
Add Pineapple: Without draining, pour the entire can of crushed pineapple (including juice) over the BBQ-covered chicken. Spread evenly for a balanced sweet-tangy blend.
Slow Cook: Set the crockpot to low and cook for 8 hours, or on high for 4-6 hours. The chicken should become fork-tender and easy to shred.
Shred & Stir: Once the chicken is cooked, shred it gently using two forks and mix well to combine with sauce and pineapple.
Thicken Sauce (if desired): If the sauce is too runny after cooking, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1-2 tablespoons cold water to make a slurry. Stir this into the crockpot and cook for an additional 10 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Serve: Spoon the chicken and sauce over rice or your favorite side, and top with green onions or red pepper flakes if desired.

Notes

If sauce is too runny, thicken with a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch with cold water).
Fresh pineapple chunks can be used instead of canned; cut into small pieces for easier serving.
Add extra seasonings like kosher salt, pepper, ginger, brown sugar, garlic powder, or soy sauce for extra flavor.
Boneless chicken thighs can be substituted, but may require a shorter cooking time.
Great garnishes: green onions for color, red pepper flakes for heat.
Do not drain pineapple juice; it adds sweetness and moisture.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 355 kcal
Sugar: 21 g
Sodium: 591 mg
Fat: 7 g
Saturated Fat: 2 g
Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 25 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 46 g
Cholesterol: 124 mg

Description

Ingredients

Poultry

Sauces & Liquids

Optional Seasonings & Toppings

To Thicken Sauce (if needed)

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition