Crock Pot Huli Huli Chicken (Printable)

Tender chicken thighs slow-cooked in a sweet and smoky pineapple-soy glaze with ginger and garlic.

# What You Need:

→ 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 (for thickening, optional)
12 - 2 tablespoons water (for slurry, optional)

→ Garnish & Serving

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

# How To Make It:

01 - Whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and black pepper in a medium bowl until fully incorporated.
02 - Place chicken thighs in the crock pot and pour the marinade over the meat, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated.
03 - Cover and cook on low setting for 4–6 hours until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F and is tender.
04 - Transfer cooked chicken to a serving platter. Create a slurry by mixing cornstarch with water in a small bowl. Stir the slurry into the sauce in the crock pot, cover, and cook on high for 10–15 minutes until thickened. Return chicken to coat thoroughly.
05 - Serve chicken over steamed rice and finish with green onions, sesame seeds, and pineapple slices if using.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The chicken becomes impossibly tender, practically falling apart when you look at it wrong
  • That sweet, smoky, tangy glaze is the kind of thing you'll want to put on everything
  • Your slow cooker does all the heavy lifting while you go about your day
02 -
  • I tried making this with chicken breasts once and they turned out dry and disappointing, thighs are absolutely worth it here
  • If you have time, searing the chicken in a hot skillet for 2 minutes per side before slow cooking adds this incredible depth of flavor
  • The sauce will taste quite salty at first, but it mellows out beautifully during the long cooking time
03 -
  • Line your slow cooker with a parchment paper liner for the easiest cleanup ever
  • Use fresh pineapple slices as edible serving plates for a stunning presentation

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