Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Thighs are a moist and flavorful family favorite that comes together in a snap with the help of the slow cooker.
I originally shared this recipe in 2017. I've recently updated this post with additional information, including a recipe card complete with nutritional information and a video, but the recipe itself (and the photo images) have remained unchanged.
**Please Note - The printable recipe card with detailed instructions, complete ingredient measurements, and nutritional information for making Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken is available at the end of this post. OR you can hit the "jump to recipe" text (found below) to be taken directly to the recipe.
The ingredient list:
**Note - The following lists of ingredients plus kitchen tools and equipment contain affiliate links (highlighted in blue) for your consideration and shopping convenience. #CommissionsEarned
- boneless/skinless chicken thighs (4-5 pounds)
- salt and pepper
- pineapple juice
- coconut milk (I used light)
- sesame oil
- teriyaki sauce
- pineapple chunks
- garlic
- cilantro (optional)
- instant brown rice
- butter
Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- 7-quart slow cooker
- large mixing bowl
- whisk
- measuring cups and spoons
- 3-quart saucepan with lid
- ladle
- can opener
- large slotted spoon or tongs
Why this recipe works:
After a long and busy day, this recipe for Succulent Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Thighs will become your new best (dinnertime) friend, and will leave your family asking for "moa," which is Hawaiian for chicken!
What I wrote about Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Thighs in 2017:
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs make me happy! It may sound like an overly simplistic statement, but it's true. I've always been a fan of the tender dark meat of the chicken thighs because (to me) they're the most flavorful part of the chicken.
In addition to chicken thighs being the tastiest part of the chicken, their tender dark meat always stays moist and meaty no matter how you cook them, and they never seem to dry out and become chewy as chicken breasts sometimes do.
Since I like to buy boneless skinless chicken thighs when they're on sale in the market so I almost always have them on hand in my freezer.
How this recipe came to be:
This recipe for Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Thighs came about when I also had an abundance of pineapple juice in the fridge after making my Golden Statute Prosecco Cocktails to sip on while watching this year's Academy Awards.
By the way, did you see that mix-up at the end when they announced La La Land for best picture and the award was really meant for Moonlight? That was priceless and was (by far) my favorite part of the entire show. LOL
But I digress, back to the Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Thighs, and how they came into being...
Since I also have a (new) thing for canned coconut milk (not sure where that one came from, but it's a versatile ingredient to have on hand), I decided to combine the pineapple juice and coconut milk.
From there I added a few other simple pantry ingredients and then poured it into the slow cooker along with a family-sized package of (thawed), boneless and skinless chicken thighs.
If you're wondering where the brown rice comes in, stick with me. I have a surprise for you a little later.
The step-by-step photos for making slow cooker Hawaiian chicken thighs:
- Add the seasoned chicken thighs to the slow cooker.
- To the base ingredients for the sauce (the pineapple juice and coconut milk), I added a bit of teriyaki sauce, some minced garlic, and the slightest touch of sesame oil to make things interesting. It was a good call if I do say so myself!
- Once I added everything into the slow cooker, I tossed in some chunked pineapple, because pineapple is tasty, and because I hear that it helps melt away belly fat. So please, pay no attention to that coconut milk I added a short while ago! Ha Ha!
- Cover the cooker and set it to high for 5-6 hours. It will look like this with the chicken will being thoroughly cooked and incredibly flavorful.
- Remember that brown rice trick I was talking about earlier? If you want to get the most flavor from your rice (I used instant brown rice), ladle the chicken cooking liquid from the slow cooker into a saucepan, following the box instructions. Use that as a substitute for the plain water (called for on the box) when making the rice. The results will completely complement the flavor of the Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Thighs and will tie the flavor of chicken and rice together nicely.
Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Thighs Over Brown Rice
Equipment
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 4 -5 pounds chicken thighs boneless/skinless seasoned with salt and pepper
- 1 can (13 ounces) coconut milk (I used light)
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 3 tablespoons teriyaki sauce
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 3 cups chunked pineapple
- cilantro for garnish optional
For the brown rice:
- 1½ cups cooking liquid after the chicken is fully cooked
- 3 cups instant brown rice
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
To make the chicken thighs:
- Add the seasoned chicken thighs to the slow cooker.
- In a medium bowl whisk together the coconut milk, pineapple juice, teriyaki sauce, garlic and sesame oil. Pour the liquid over the chicken.
- Add the chunked pineapple to the cooker. Cover and cook on high for 5-6 hours.
To make the rice:
- Ladle the cooking liquid into a medium saucepan and add the butter.
- Bring to a simmer and stir in the rice.
- Cover the pan and allow to sit for 5-7 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
- To serve top the rice with the chicken and pineapple and garnish with chopped cilantro if desired.
Nutrition
Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you'll come back and visit me often. There is always room for you around my table!
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen here on my blog, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. It is always my distinct pleasure to respond to you just as soon as I possibly can.
Deeds says
5-6 hours on high seems like a LOT, even for dark meat. Has anyone actually done this and have it turn out? Thanks!
Renée says
Yes. I did it (again) just a few weeks ago. You can see in the video just how tender the chicken is.
However, if you'd like to experiment...feel free.
Have a great day!
Renee
fearlessdining says
I love how easy this recipe looks to make -)
Dee says
My kids love anything with pineapple, so this would be a hit in my house. I love how you made the rice, too!
Melanie | Melanie Makes says
Love how much flavor is packed into this slow cooker meal!
Dorothy Reinhold says
What a full flavor dish! I love that you used brown rice too!
Jen says
My slow cooker is in heavy rotation while my boys are in sports so this will be a great way to switch things up. Thanks!
Erren says
The rice tops off this dish so nicely, I love that it's bursting with flavor!