Name: Crock Pot Huli Huli Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: PT-488376H39M55S
Total time: PT-488376H39M55S
Cuisine: Hawaiian-Inspired
Ingredients: 1 cup unsweetened pineapple juice; ½ cup soy sauce; ½ cup brown sugar; ⅓ cup ketchup; 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2½ to 3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

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This Crock Pot Huli Huli Chicken is one of my favorite set-it-and-forget-it meals. The chicken thighs turn out incredibly tender after soaking up a sweet, tangy, and savory pineapple-ginger sauce all day. I love how easy this is to throw into the slow cooker, and it fills my kitchen with the most irresistible tropical aroma. It’s perfect for busy nights or when I need a hands-off meal that still delivers big flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it gives me juicy, flavorful chicken with hardly any effort. The Hawaiian-inspired sauce is made with pantry staples like soy sauce, brown sugar, pineapple juice, and ketchup, with fresh garlic and ginger bringing a little zing. Whether I serve it over rice, tuck it into sandwiches, or shred it for wraps, it’s always a crowd-pleaser. Crock Pot Huli Huli Chicken

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

1 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
½ cup soy sauce
½ cup brown sugar
⅓ cup ketchup
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
3 cloves garlic, minced
2½ to 3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Directions

In a medium bowl, whisk together the pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, ginger, and garlic.
Place the chicken thighs in the Crock Pot.
Pour the sauce over the chicken, making sure it’s well coated.
Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
Optional: Once done, I like to remove the chicken, thicken the sauce on the stove (or in the slow cooker on high), then return the chicken to coat it again before serving.
Serve hot over rice, with vegetables, or in sandwiches or wraps.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 6 servings. It takes only 10 minutes to prep, and the rest is hands-off slow cooking—6 to 7 hours on low or 3 to 4 on high.

Variations

Sometimes I add a bit of sriracha or red pepper flakes to the sauce for a hint of heat. For a thicker sauce, I stir in a cornstarch slurry at the end and simmer until it coats the back of a spoon. I’ve also used this same sauce with chicken breasts and it turns out just as delicious.

Storage/Reheating

Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days. I store them in an airtight container with some extra sauce to keep the chicken moist. To reheat, I microwave it or warm it on the stove over low heat. This chicken also freezes well—just cool completely, portion, and freeze for up to 2 months.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, I’ve made this with chicken breasts, but I find thighs stay juicier during the long cook. If I use breasts, I keep an eye on the time so they don’t overcook.

Is it okay to use canned pineapple juice?

Yes, canned unsweetened pineapple juice works perfectly. I just avoid using the syrupy kind to keep the sauce balanced.

Do I need to sear the chicken first?

No, I skip the searing—it’s meant to be a dump-and-go recipe. But if I want deeper flavor or a bit of texture, I sometimes brown the chicken before adding it to the slow cooker.

Can I thicken the sauce?

Yes, I remove the cooked chicken and whisk a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water) into the sauce, then simmer until thick.

What sides go well with this dish?

I usually serve it over jasmine or basmati rice, with steamed broccoli, green beans, or a crisp cabbage slaw.

Conclusion

Crock Pot Huli Huli Chicken is a tropical twist on slow cooker comfort food that’s easy to make and always satisfying. The sweet-savory pineapple sauce pairs beautifully with tender chicken, and it’s versatile enough for everything from rice bowls to sliders. I keep this one in regular rotation—it’s low-effort, high-reward, and always gets compliments.