Description
Savor mouthwatering Crock Pot Sticky Hawaiian Chicken, a tropical flavor explosion that transports palates to island paradise. Succulent chicken marinates in sweet-tangy sauce, promising a delicious dinner you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
Garnish and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/4 cup chopped macadamia nuts (optional)
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, pineapple juice, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, honey, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a mixing bowl to create a robust marinade.
- Place chicken thighs and chicken breasts into the crock pot, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
- Pour the prepared sauce mixture over the chicken, coating each piece thoroughly.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 6-7 hours, allowing the chicken to become tender and absorb the rich Hawaiian-inspired flavors.
- After cooking, carefully remove the chicken and transfer to a cutting board, shredding it using two forks.
- Mix cornstarch with water in a small bowl to create a slurry for thickening the sauce.
- Pour the slurry back into the crock pot, stirring to combine with the existing sauce and cooking on high for an additional 15 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Return the shredded chicken to the sauce, gently mixing to ensure even coating.
- Stir in fresh pineapple chunks and drizzle sesame oil for an extra layer of depth.
- Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with chopped green onions, macadamia nuts, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
- Serve hot over steamed rice or with your preferred side dish.
Notes
- Enhance marinade flavor by letting chicken marinate overnight in the refrigerator before slow cooking, allowing deeper penetration of Hawaiian-inspired seasonings.
- Transform dish into gluten-free option by substituting regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos, ensuring those with wheat sensitivities can enjoy the meal.
- Control sauce thickness by gradually adding cornstarch slurry and monitoring consistency, preventing potential over-thickening that might compromise the sauce’s silky texture.
- Optimize protein tenderness by selecting bone-in chicken thighs, which retain more moisture and develop richer flavor profiles during extended slow-cooking processes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg