Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken is sweet and smoky and slow cooked to perfection. This easy slow cooker recipe makes a great sandwich, and is perfect for family dinners, parties, game day, or anytime you're looking for something super easy & incredibly delicious!
Anyone who has spent any time with our family knows that, when it comes to sister relationships, the one between Greta and Nora has always been a bit of a challenge. I'm not sure if it's because they're both middle children, or because Greta tends to be sensitive, or because Nora really can be difficult to deal with....but whatever the reason, their relationship is definitely on the rocky side.
I can't tell you the number of times I've talked to them about being nice to one another or worried about their feelings toward one another long term....and for the most part, it feels a little like talking to a wall. Because for the most part, nothing ever changes. But then, every so often, they do a 180 and everything is completely different. At least momentarily.
This past weekend was one of those times. Ellia was gone on a Friday night sleepover, and since Myla goes to bed early, Greta and Nora only had each other. Of course, that can go one of two ways....but this time, at least, they decided to make the most of it. All weekend long they were playing together, coloring together, dressing as twins, eating the same foods, and referring to one another as "BFF" and "bestie". To the point where I actually had to remind them not to leave Ellia out. And you know what? It made ALL the difference. Life felt so much more peaceful, so much more relaxed. And even though I'm sure it won't last, I loved it while it did.
And I'm sure it sounds silly, but one of the things I loved most about it (aside from the peace and quiet) was how easy it felt to get Nora to eat. Because she wanted whatever Greta was having....and Greta was loving this Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken. In fact, she was eating it by the bowlful all weekend long....which meant that Nora was, too. And I totally can't blame them, because this Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken is AWESOME! It's sweet and sticky and slow cooked to perfection. Undoubtedly the best pulled chicken sandwich I've had (and I love me some pulled chicken)! Of course, I'd be willing to share it ALL if it meant a more harmonious household. But.....I'm not holding my breath for that.
Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken
This Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken is sweet and smoky and slow cooked to perfection. It makes a great sandwich, and is perfect for family dinners, parties, game day, or anytime you're looking for something super easy & incredibly delicious!
Ingredients
- 3 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 c. chopped onion
- 2 Tbsp. butter
- ¼ c. flour
- 2 c. pineapple juice
- ½ c. brown sugar, *edited from the original recipe, which called for 1 cup
- ¾ c. ketchup
- 1 Tbsp. soy sauce
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 ½ tsp. worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. pepper
- ½ tsp. onion powder
- ½ tsp. ginger
Instructions
- Combine pineapple juice, brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, garlic, worcestershire sauce, and spices in a large measuring cup or mixing bowl. Mix until all ingredients are incorporated; set aside.
- Heat 2 Tbsp. butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chopped onion and saute until onion begins to brown.
- Stir in ¼ c. flour.
- Add pineapple juice mixture to the skillet with the butter, onion and flour. Bring to a boil.
- Boil, stirring, 10-15 minutes or until sauce is thick.
- Place chicken in slow cooker and cover with sauce.
- Cook on low heat 8 hours.
- Shred the chicken using 2 large forks. Serve on sandwich rolls or as desired.
- *If sauce is not as thick as you'd like it to be, you can prop open the lid and let some additional liquid evaporate before shredding and serving. *Note: sauce will thicken further as it cools.
Notes
Based on readers' comments, I updated the recipe on 8/11/17 by increasing the cooking time on the sauce prior to adding it to the slow cooker.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 321Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 101mgSodium: 524mgCarbohydrates: 29gFiber: 1gSugar: 23gProtein: 36g
Wayne Dunlap
Ihave tried this recipe a couple of times. It is my daughter's favorite . Thanks
Cathy Trochelman
So happy to hear that....thank you for letting me know!
Nicole
Any way to reduce the cooking5-6 hours with increased temperature?
Cathy Trochelman
You could probably set it higher for 6 hours, just watch out for burning around the edges.
Litha strandbaek
Can it be reheated and how?
Looks great. Thanks
Sarah
Is the coleslaw on this regular coleslaw, or is it the Hawaiian coleslaw that was above the recipe?
Cathy Trochelman
This is the Hawaiian Coleslaw 🙂
Charisma Boertje
Has anyone made this with Orange Juice instead of pineapple? I have a child who is allergic to pineapple, but this sounds so yummy!
Cathy Trochelman
Orange juice would work well!
Gail
I am definitely going to make this for a weekend gathering. We have tons of family and this would be a great comfort food dinner on a Saturday. Homemade rools and your Hawaiian Chicken are going to be the stars. Thank you for the idea.
Mia
Is there any way to speed up the process. Or maybe make the sauce the night before and mix all together in the morning?
Janet
something is missing in the flavor of the chicken sauce for me. making the coleslaw and hoping the combination pulls it together. otherwise I like the recipe and it is easy!
Denise Zenisek
The recipie looks very delicious! But all these flashing ads are distracting and take away
from the excitement of the recipie!
ztspad
This recipe is definitely a good starting point for a great pulled chicken. I read through all the reviews and went to work. I agree with one person that said she was going to use chicken thighs, I think boneless, skinless breasts get too dry so I will add a mix next time. I added more flour at the beginning hoping it would help thicken it up a bit more in the end, but it didn't. I cooked it the full 8 hours and in the end still felt it needed a bit more flavor. I added some (about 1/2 cup) crushed pineapple and about 1/2 of a mango habanero BBQ sauce I had on hand. I didn't have time to cook the sauce down any so it was very messy. I served it with the Hawaiian coleslaw which was great!
Suzanne Fine
Could you send me the recipe you used for the Hawaiian slaw? Thanks so much!!
Nikki
I cooked this as written and at the 6 hour mark, my chicken was burnt. It was on low. Sad that this didn’t work out for us and that I had to make another plan for dinner.
Taylor
What type of buns were used?
Rosie
What about the cole slaw how do you make that?
Suzanne Fine
What is your recipe for the slaw? Looks great! I'm about to make the chicken now for the first time.
Ashley
Is there anything I can substitute for the pineapple juice? My sister is allergic to apples, pineapples, cherries, and oranges.
Bonnie Bowman
I got up early to make this recipe for dinner later today. I was completely stumped as your instructions were incomplete. Your recipe requires making two sauces, one from catsup and spices, etc. and the other from onions and pineapple juice thickened with flour. Then you simply state to cover the chicken with the sauce. Which sauce? Was the 1st mixture that was set aside to be added at some point to the onion mixture? Please edit your recipe carefully before publishing, as it can be very confusing. i will edit my rating later based on how it turns out, but for now, the recipe itself only gets one star and that is for the fact that it sounds appealing.
Cathy Trochelman
So sorry the instructions seemed incomplete. I re-read them and all the steps were included. I've tried to make them more clear for next time.
Amanda Evans
I love this recipe! I've used it at least a dozen times and its a huge hit! I have a slightly larger party this weekend, about 35... Can I make this in a big pot on low heat?
Cathy Trochelman
So sorry I never got back to you on this! Did you decide to try it? I'd love to hear how it went.
Rebekah
Some of the comments say 6 hours on low and the instructions say 8 hours. How much time is needed on low?
Cathy Trochelman
It will depend on your crock pot....6-8 hours on low is the typical range.
Bonnie F
Could you do this in an Instant pot? I've done it in the crock pot and love it. Would you make an adjustments?
Charles Wagner
I would like to know if this could be done in a pressure cooker also!
Cathy Trochelman
I am sure you can make this in a pressure cooker, or Instant-Pot, but I do not have those instructions.
Deanne Korsak
I have made this numerous times and everyone loves it. Making it now to take to a friend who broke her arm. 5stars!
Suzanne Fine
My family absolutely loves this recipe. Question though - what are your thoughts on how to lower the sugar in the recipe, but still getting the same flavor profile??
What would you suggest editing or adding?
Thank you so much,
Suzanne Fine
Cary
I have this in the crock pot for dinner tonight. One question; all of the pictures show pulled chicken like in a sandwich. Can anyone tell me how best to go from cooked chicken breasts to pulled chicken? Thanks.
Cathy Trochelman
Oversight on my part- I will add that step to the end of the recipe! Thank you!
Sandie
I’m definitely gonna try this having friends over so I know they’re going to love it! Thanks for sharing
kenneth
Would it be okay to make the sauce and then marinate the chicken in it overnight and then place it in the slowcooker in the morning? May not have time in the morning to make the sauce first :/
Cathy Trochelman
Yes! infuse the flavors 🙂
Jesse
I am wondering if you have heard of anyone doing this in an Instant Pot, and if so, how that might change the instructions. Thank you!
Cathy Trochelman
I am sure you can make this in an Instant Pot but I don't have specific instructions.
Debbie Davis
Made this today,came out perfect !! Followed the recipe exactly as written. It took the full 15 minutes to thicken. The coleslaw also came out perfect. I served with Hawaiian slider rolls. Will make again !
Tammy
What are the best buns to use for Hawaiian chicken
Cathy Trochelman
I love the Hawaiian sweet buns, but you could use butter rolls or whatever buns your family prefers!
Barbara West
I am making this today. It smells heavenly! I’m wondering though why you didn’t finish the instructions. Beyond the obvious of shredding and putting on a bun I think it should have been part of the instructions.
Cathy Trochelman
Thank you for the feedback Barbara, that was an oversight!
Glenda V.
Love the recipe, has anyone tried freezing it? I’m preparing for youth camp and feel like it would be easier to make it ahead, freeze it and then heat it when we get there.
Cathy Trochelman
Hi Glenda, I think it would freeze well.
Laure McKeen
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Cathy Trochelman
Yes if you prefer thighs, go ahead, it will be delicious!
Cheryl O
I give this recipe a 10/10. Absolutely delicious. I did mix the ingredients for the sauce the night before and refrigerated it, so it was all ready to cook with the butter, onions & flour in the morning. The sauce thickened beautifully. Great recipe!
Cathy Trochelman
Thank you!
Scott Steele
How would one do this in an Instant-Pot??? Just got mine, and am looking for recipes
Cathy Trochelman
I am sure you can make this in the IP, but I don't have specific instructions.