Slow Cooker Hawaiian BBQ Chicken

Description

This Slow Cooker Hawaiian BBQ Chicken is a sweet, smoky, and incredibly easy 3-ingredient dinner. Tender chicken breasts slowly cook in flavorful BBQ sauce with juicy pineapple and pineapple juice, creating a delicious sweet-and-savory sauce. Serve it over fluffy rice with steamed broccoli for a simple family-friendly meal.

Ingredients

1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thawed
1 bottle (about 18 oz / 510 g) Hawaiian-style or regular BBQ sauce
1 can (20 oz / 567 g) pineapple rings, juice reserved

Directions

Prepare the slow cooker: Lightly spray a 4–6-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
Add the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a single layer in the bottom of the slow cooker.
Add the BBQ sauce: Pour the BBQ sauce evenly over the chicken, making sure the breasts are well coated.
Add the pineapple: Place one pineapple ring on top of each chicken breast.
Add pineapple juice: Pour approximately ½ cup of the reserved pineapple juice around the chicken.
Slow cook: Cover and cook on LOW for about 6 hours, or until the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
Finish: Carefully remove the chicken and spoon some of the sweet BBQ-pineapple sauce over each piece.
Serve: Place the pineapple rings back on top and serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

Use thawed chicken breasts for more predictable and even cooking.
Don’t add all of the pineapple juice unless you want a thinner sauce; about ½ cup is enough to add flavor and moisture.
Chicken breasts can vary considerably in size, so use an instant-read thermometer rather than relying only on cooking time.
For extra flavor, use a smoky Hawaiian-style BBQ sauce.
The sauce becomes especially delicious when spooned over rice.

Tips for the Best Hawaiian BBQ Chicken

Use fresh pineapple flavor: Reserve the juice from the canned pineapple rather than discarding it.

Choose your BBQ sauce: A smoky sauce creates a deeper flavor, while a sweeter Hawaiian-style sauce gives the dish a more tropical taste.

Don’t overcook: Check the chicken once it approaches the expected cooking time. Once it reaches 165°F, it’s ready.

Serve with rice: White rice, brown rice, or coconut rice all pair beautifully with the sweet BBQ sauce.

Add vegetables: Steamed broccoli, green beans, bell peppers, or sautéed vegetables balance the sweetness of the dish.

See more on the next page

Servings

4 servings

Approximate Nutritional Information

Per serving, including chicken, BBQ sauce, and pineapple:

Calories: ~450–500
Protein: ~35–40 g
Carbohydrates: ~50–60 g
Fat: ~6–9 g
Fiber: ~1–2 g
Sugar: ~35–45 g
Sodium: ~1,000–1,300 mg

Nutrition varies depending on the BBQ sauce and exact ingredients used. Rice and side dishes are not included.

Benefits

High in protein: Chicken breast provides a lean source of protein.
Easy preparation: Only three main ingredients are needed.
Convenient: It’s a simple dump-and-go slow-cooker meal.
Family-friendly: The combination of sweet pineapple and BBQ sauce is appealing to many people.
Versatile: Leftovers can be served over rice, added to wraps, or used in salads.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work very well and tend to remain especially juicy.

Can I use fresh pineapple?
Absolutely. Fresh pineapple can be used, although you won’t have the same amount of reserved pineapple juice. Add a small amount of water or pineapple juice if needed.

Can I use frozen chicken?
It’s best to thaw the chicken completely before placing it in a slow cooker.

Can I cook this on HIGH?
Yes, but cooking on LOW is recommended for tender chicken. If using HIGH, monitor the internal temperature closely because cooking times vary between slow cookers.

What type of BBQ sauce is best?
Hawaiian-style, honey BBQ, smoky BBQ, or regular sweet BBQ sauce all work well.

Can I shred the chicken?
Yes. Once cooked, shred the chicken with two forks and mix it with the BBQ-pineapple sauce.

What should I serve with it?
Steamed rice and broccoli are excellent choices. You can also serve it with coconut rice, roasted vegetables, coleslaw, or a simple green salad.