Preparation:
- Season the Chicken: Lightly season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper and place them in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Mix the Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine pineapple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Stir until the sugar is mostly dissolved.
- Combine: Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker. Add the pineapple chunks, bell peppers, and onion, spreading them around and on top of the chicken.
Cooking:
- Cook on Low: Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. If you’re short on time, you can cook it on high for 2-3 hours, but low and slow yields the best results.
- Thicken the Sauce (Optional): About 30 minutes before serving, mix the cornstarch with water in a small bowl until smooth. Stir this slurry into the slow cooker to thicken the sauce. Increase the heat to high for this final step if it was set to low.
- Final Seasoning: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Serving:
- Serve Over Rice: Spoon the Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken over cooked rice, making sure to ladle plenty of the sauce over the top.
- Garnish: Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for added flavor and a pop of color.
Tips:
- Chicken Choice: Both chicken breasts and thighs work well in this recipe. Thighs are more forgiving and tend to be juicier after slow cooking.
- Customization: Feel free to add other vegetables like carrots or snap peas for more color and nutrition.
- Serving Suggestions: This dish pairs beautifully with a side of steamed vegetables or a simple salad to balance out the sweetness.
Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken is a crowd-pleaser that’s not only easy to make but also packed with flavor. The slow cooker does most of the work for you, infusing the chicken with the sweet and savory tastes of Hawaii. It’s a delightful dish that’s sure to become a regular in your meal rotation.