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Tender Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken Recipe Easy Pineapple Teriyaki Meal

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A tender and flavorful slow cooker Hawaiian chicken recipe featuring juicy chicken thighs simmered in a sweet and savory pineapple teriyaki sauce. Perfect for easy weeknight dinners with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds (900g) chicken thighs, bone-in and skin removed
  • 1 cup pineapple chunks, fresh or canned (drained if canned)
  • ½ cup (120ml) soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
  • ⅓ cup (65g) brown sugar, packed
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated (or 1 teaspoon ground ginger)
  • ¼ cup (60ml) pineapple juice
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (for thickening)
  • 2 green onions, sliced (optional, for garnish)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper if desired.
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, pineapple juice, rice vinegar, and sesame oil until sugar dissolves.
  3. Place the chicken thighs at the bottom of the slow cooker and spread pineapple chunks evenly over the chicken.
  4. Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken and pineapple, coating evenly without stirring too much.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or on high for 2 hours for a quicker option.
  6. About 15 minutes before serving, mix cornstarch with cold water to make a slurry. Pour into the slow cooker, stir gently, cover, and cook on high for 10-15 minutes until sauce thickens.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

Notes

Pat chicken dry to help sauce cling better. Use bone-in thighs for richer flavor. If sauce is too watery during cooking, drain some liquid and reduce on stove, then add back. For gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari. Cooking on low yields more tender chicken; high heat is faster but requires monitoring. Cornstarch slurry thickening step is key for a glossy sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chicken, Hawaiian chicken, pineapple teriyaki, easy dinner, weeknight meal, slow cooker recipe, chicken thighs, tropical chicken

Find it online: https://jodierecipes.com/tender-slow-cooker-hawaiian-chicken-recipe-easy-pineapple-teriyaki-meal/