Crock Pot Huli Huli Chicken (Printable version)

Tender chicken in sweet, tangy pineapple-soy glaze with smoky undertones

# List of ingredients:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs

→ Marinade & Sauce

02 - 1 cup pineapple juice
03 - ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
04 - ⅓ cup ketchup
05 - ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
06 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
07 - 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
08 - 3 cloves garlic minced
09 - 1 tablespoon sesame oil
10 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
11 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch optional for thickening
12 - 2 tablespoons water optional for slurry

→ Garnish & Serving

13 - 2 tablespoons sliced green onions
14 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
15 - Fresh pineapple slices optional
16 - Steamed rice optional

# Directions:

01 - Whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and black pepper in a medium bowl until completely blended.
02 - Place chicken thighs in the crock pot and pour the marinade over the meat, turning pieces to ensure thorough coating.
03 - Cover and cook on low heat for 4–6 hours until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F and is fork-tender.
04 - Transfer cooked chicken to a serving platter. Whisk cornstarch with water to form slurry, stir into crock pot liquids, cover and cook on high 10–15 minutes until sauce thickens. Return chicken and coat thoroughly.
05 - Plate chicken over steamed rice and sprinkle with green onions, sesame seeds, and fresh pineapple if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The chicken practically falls apart with a fork after hours of slow cooking magic
  • That pineapple-soy glaze hits every single flavor note you crave on a tired weeknight
  • Everything happens in one pot, leaving you with almost zero cleanup duty
02 -
  • Dont lift the lid too often or you'll lose precious heat and extend cooking time
  • The sauce will be thin straight from the slow cooker so the cornstarch step makes all the difference if you want that glaze to cling to the chicken
03 -
  • Quick-sear the chicken in a hot skillet for 2 minutes per side before slow cooking for that authentic grill flavor
  • Use fresh pineapple juice in a carton not canned for the brightest tropical taste

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