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Slow Cooker Pineapple Brown Sugar Chicken

  • Author: Avery
  • Total Time: 4–6 hours
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten-free (if using gluten-free soy sauce)

Description

Slow Cooker Pineapple Brown Sugar Chicken is a sweet-and-savory tropical twist on classic comfort food. Tender shredded chicken simmers in a sticky pineapple, brown sugar, and soy sauce glaze that’s full of island-inspired flavor. It’s an easy, family-friendly weeknight dinner that takes just minutes to prep, then your slow cooker does the rest.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, with some juice)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
  • Cooked rice, for serving

Instructions

  1. Place the chicken breasts in an even layer in the bottom of the slow cooker.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the pineapple chunks, brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, ground ginger, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir well until the brown sugar is mostly dissolved and everything is evenly mixed.
  3. Pour the pineapple mixture over the chicken, making sure each piece is generously coated with sauce.
  4. Cover and cook on LOW for 4–6 hours or on HIGH for 2–3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and very tender (internal temperature 165°F / 74°C).
  5. Once cooked, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker. Stir well so the shredded chicken absorbs the sauce and pineapple pieces are evenly distributed.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding a splash more soy sauce for saltiness or a sprinkle of brown sugar for extra sweetness.
  7. Serve the pineapple brown sugar chicken over hot cooked rice and garnish with sliced green onions just before serving.

Notes

  • Use fresh pineapple for a brighter, tangier flavor, or canned pineapple for convenience and extra sweetness from the juice.
  • If using canned pineapple, you can add 1–2 tablespoons of the juice to make the sauce a bit more saucy and sweet.
  • Chicken thighs can be substituted for breasts; they stay extra juicy and are very forgiving in the slow cooker.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4–6 hours (low) or 2–3 hours (high)
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Slow Cooker
  • Cuisine: American, Tropical-Inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
  • Calories: 320 kcal
  • Sugar: 22 g (approx.)
  • Sodium: 650 mg (approx., using low-sodium soy sauce)
  • Fat: 6 g (approx.)
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5 g (approx.)
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g (approx.)
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g (approx.)
  • Fiber: 1 g (approx.)
  • Protein: 28 g (approx.)
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg (approx.)

Keywords: slow cooker pineapple brown sugar chicken, crockpot pineapple chicken, sweet and savory chicken, easy weeknight dinner

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Find it online: https://averyrecipes.com/slow-cooker-pineapple-brown-sugar-chicken/