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Easy Crockpot Pineapple Chicken Recipe

Easy Crockpot Pineapple Chicken

Tender chicken breasts slow cooked with pineapple, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and brown sugar create an easy sweet-savory dinner. Serve the chicken with rice, noodles, or vegetables and thicken the cooking liquid for a glossy sauce if desired.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 minutes
Total Time 4 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 4 breasts, about 1 1/2 to 2 pounds total Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 20-ounce can Pineapple chunks in juice, undrained
  • 1/2 cup Low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup Packed light brown sugar
  • 2 cloves Minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon Grated fresh ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper
Optional Thickener
  • 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons Cold water
Optional Garnish
  • As desired Sliced green onions or sesame seeds

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Place the chicken breasts in the crockpot. If any breasts are especially thick, cut them in half horizontally so they cook more evenly.
  2. Add the undrained pineapple chunks to the crockpot. Whisk the pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and black pepper together, then pour the mixture over the chicken.
  3. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours. Begin checking early because slow cookers vary, and the chicken is ready when the thickest part reaches 165°F.
  4. Remove the chicken from the crockpot and let it rest briefly before slicing or shredding it. Keep the pineapple and cooking liquid in the crockpot while you decide whether to thicken the sauce.
  5. For a thicker sauce, pour the cooking liquid into a saucepan and bring it to a simmer. Whisk together the cornstarch and cold water, stir the slurry into the simmering liquid, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until lightly thickened.
  6. Return the sliced or shredded chicken to the sauce, spoon pineapple over the top, and garnish with green onions or sesame seeds. Serve with rice, steamed vegetables, or noodles.

Notes

Use pineapple packed in juice rather than syrup because the brown sugar already adds sweetness. Do not cook boneless chicken breasts longer than necessary, since overcooking can make them dry. Chicken thighs may be substituted one-for-one and usually remain especially moist.