Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken
With just a handful of ingredients, you can easily prepare a healthy and delicious meal with tropical flavors – any time of the year! Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken combines barbecue sauce with citrusy pineapple for a tangy dish that goes perfectly with a side of rice or quinoa. Add this recipe to your next meal prep menu!
Want me to send this recipe right to your inbox?
We'll email this post right to your inbox, so you can easily find it later!
My family loves this pineapple chicken recipe and we eat it regularly knowing it’s a healthy option for a filling, tasty meal!
What’s To Love About Pineapple Chicken
- Pineapple chicken is a great meal prep recipe since you can cook a large batch and easily reheat it with a side of rice or quinoa for a balanced dish.
- Minus the salt and pepper for seasoning, you can make this recipe with only 5 ingredients!
- This recipe includes just the right amount of sweet and spicy. It’s also very simple to adjust the spice or flavors slightly to customize it for the family by using variations of BBQ sauce.
- This dish is full of protein and you also get the nutritional benefits of veggies and pineapple. Pineapple contains enzymes that can target inflammation and aid digestion. Plus, it is packed with vitamin C!
- By using frozen pineapple, you can get tropical flavors year-round. No need to wait until summer to fire up the grill! Enjoy a comforting meal any time while the slow cooker does the work for you.
Ingredients Needed
- Chicken – Use boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken tenders, cut into bite-sized chunks. Be sure to defrost the chicken first if frozen for it to evenly cook alongside the vegetables.
- Pineapple – A package of frozen pineapple is a great option to include in meals when it is not available due to the season. Frozen works well in this recipe to help maintain the texture.
- Red onion – Besides the colorful contrast to the veggies, red (or purple) onion provides a sweet and spicy flavor to the dish.
- Bell peppers – Cut the bell peppers into bite-sized pieces like the chicken and use any color combination that you like!
- Salt and pepper – Keep the seasoning basic to let the BBQ and pineapple flavors shine.
- BBQ Sauce – Here’s where you can choose a variation that suits your preference! Try a new variation or pick a favorite. If you’d like your meal to taste even more summery, try a BBQ sauce with a citrus or honey combination.
- Optional – Garnish with either chopped green onions or cilantro.
How To Make Pineapple Chicken In The Slow Cooker
- Cut the chicken, peppers, and onions into bite-sized chunks (about the same size you would use for kabobs) and add them to the slow cooker.
- Add the frozen pineapple chunks to the cooker. (Break up large frozen pieces if needed).
- Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with 1/2 cup of the BBQ sauce.
- Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is fully cooked.
- Drain the juices that accumulate during cooking, and then add another 1/4 cup of BBQ sauce.
- Gently mix the chicken and vegetables to distribute the sauce, and garnish with green onion or dried cilantro if desired.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
This recipe is a simple base that can work with lots of adjustments based on what you have on hand.
- Reduce sugar intake by using a no-sugar-added BBQ sauce. This swap also makes it an easy choice for many different eating plans.
- In a pinch, you can also use canned pineapple with the liquid drained. However, I have found that frozen pineapple results in a better texture after slow cooking.
- Swap out chicken breasts for boneless skinless thighs.
- If you like, you can add in even more veggies! Choose veggies that have low water content such as cauliflower, broccoli, or snap peas. Avoid veggies that can turn mushy during slow cooking, such as squash.
- Spice up your dish by adding a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes. You can also change the spice level with either a mild or spicy BBQ sauce.
What To Serve With Pineapple Chicken
Serve pineapple chicken over a bowl of rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice. It’s so easy to make a complete meal with just one simple side! Try an Instant Pot version of rice while your slow cooker is busy with either Instant Pot Brown Rice or Instant Pot Jasmine Rice.
For extra sides with some zesty flavors, try a fresh Tomato Corn Salsa or Hawaiian Macaroni Salad. Add some extra steamed or roasted vegetables like broccoli or Lemon Pepper Roasted Asparagus.
Storing and Reheating
Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken makes a great prep-ahead dish for lunches and dinners throughout the week. Pair with your favorite carb and you’re set!
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to reheat, be sure to defrost in the refrigerator, then microwave until warm.
Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken
With just a handful of ingredients, you can easily prepare a healthy and delicious meal with tropical flavors – any time of the year! Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken combines barbecue sauce with citrusy pineapple for a tangy dish that goes perfectly with a side of rice or quinoa. Add this recipe to your next meal prep menu!
Save
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breasts or tenders
- 10 oz frozen pineapple
- 1/2 red onion
- 2 bell peppers any color
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 3/4 cup BBQ Sauce 1/2 cup at beginning + 1/4 cup later
- Green onions or cilantro optional garnish
Instructions
- Cut chicken, peppers, and onions into bite-sized chunks and add to slow cooker
- Add frozen pineapple chunks to the cooker (break up large frozen pieces if needed)
- Season with salt and pepper and drizzle in 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce
- Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours until chicken is fully cooked
- Drain juices from the slow cooker and add another 1/4 cup of BBQ sauce
- Mix gently to distribute the sauce and garnish with green onion or dried cilantro if desired
Notes
- Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to reheat, defrost in the refrigerator, then microwave until warm.
- Remember to drain juices after cooking and before adding additional BBQ sauce to prevent a watery dish.
- Sprinkle in crushed red pepper flakes for added spice.
Nutrition
Calories: 278kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 26gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 1269mgPotassium: 768mgFiber: 3gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 2059IUVitamin C: 113mgCalcium: 41mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @slowcookergourmet or tag #slowcookergourmet!
Important nutritional disclaimerPineapple Chicken FAQs
- Does pineapple tenderize chicken? Yes, pineapple contains the enzyme bromelain which can tenderize chicken by breaking down the muscle fibers. When the fibers break down, the meat can retain more moisture and absorb the flavor from the pineapple juice.
- Should excess pineapple juice be drained before serving? Yes, drain liquids that accumulate from the chicken, pineapple, and vegetables before serving, and also before adding the extra BBQ sauce. You can save the excess broth to use later for soups and broths if you like. It is packed with nutrients and can be frozen in a container or ice cube trays for up to 3 months.
- Can this recipe be baked instead of using the slow cooker? Yes, this recipe can be adapted to bake in the oven at 400℉. Preheat the oven, chop the chicken and veggies, and toss all ingredients with ½ cup of BBQ sauce. Spread evenly on a foil-lined sheet pan and bake for around 20-25 minutes, adding the remaining BBQ sauce when serving.
- Is this recipe gluten-free? Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and grain-free (without sides) so it works well for nearly any dietary needs!
Does this recipe lend itself to pork as well as chicken?
I haven’t tried it, but I think a lean pork in this recipe would be delicious!
I am cooking this for my fiancé and I and I have just finished prepping the meal and it is in the crock pot. I was unable to find the sweet pineapple BBQ but I used Sweet Hickory BBQ instead.
Do you think the flavors will mix well?
and when do I drain the juices? (5.Drain of juices that accumulate while cooking and then add another ¼ cup sauce)
Hi Bruno! Yes, the sweet hickory should be good as well! Once it’s done cooking you will drain the liquid and then toss the chicken and veggies with the rest of the sauce. Serve immediately or return to empty crock to keep warm setting until ready to eat. Hope that helps!
What size can of pineapple chunks is used?
I believe it was a 20oz
I am loving your recipes!! Especially since our house is so hot right now, I hate turning on the oven and have been looking at what i can make for dinner that doesn’t use the oven! What size of crockpot do you use most of the time? I have a 6 qt, but there is only four people in our family and the kids don’t usually eat a ton, so I was thinking of buying a smaller one too, but don’t want to go too small!
Hi there! I’ve been trying to get better about noting which crockpot I use in each of my recipes. We have 4 people but one is only 3 years old and doesn’t eat a lot. I either use my 5 quart or my 3.5 quart for almost all my recipes. The rule of thumb is that your crock should be 1/2 to 3/4 full so that food will cook the best. But I like breaking rules sometimes 🙂 For 4 people if you could find 3-4 quart crock then I think you would be covered!
How many does this serve??
For our family’s appetites, it fed the four of us with enough left over for one small lunch the next day. Hope that helps!!