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Close-up of shredded Crockpot Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken served over white rice, topped with pineapple chunks, green onions, and sesame seeds.

Crockpot Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken

This recipe uses a slow cooker to make tender chicken thighs coated in a sweet and savory pineapple teriyaki sauce. It requires minimal preparation time, making it a simple option for busy weeknights.
I tested this recipe on a day packed with back-to-back tasks, and the slow cooker truly saved dinner. When I lifted the lid and smelled the pineapple-teriyaki aroma, it instantly brought a little joy to a long day — proof that simple meals can still feel special.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Thickening Time 30 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 40 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine Asian-inspired
Servings 6 people

Equipment

  • Crockpot (slow cooker)
  • Small mixing bowl

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken and Sauce

  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 2 tbsp sesame oil or olive oil
  • 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger or 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic minced Use 2-3
  • 3 tbsp pineapple juice reserved from canned pineapple Use 2-3 tbsp
  • 1 20 oz can pineapple chunks, drained and divided

For Thickening

  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp cold water

For Serving and Garnish

  • 1/2 tbsp salt For seasoning chicken
  • 1/2 tbsp pepper For seasoning chicken
  • 1 to taste sesame seeds For garnish
  • 1 to taste chopped green onions For garnish
  • 1 to taste extra pineapple chunks For garnish
  • 1 serving white rice, noodles, or King’s Hawaiian slider buns For serving

Instructions
 

  • In a bowl, combine 1/2 tbsp salt, 1/2 tbsp pepper, soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and 2–3 tbsp reserved pineapple juice.
  • Place the chicken thighs in the crockpot. Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken.
  • Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or on HIGH for 2.5 to 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and shreds easily.
  • During the last thirty minutes of cooking, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl, then stir this mixture into the sauce in the crockpot.
  • During the last 30 minutes of cooking, stir in the drained pineapple chunks.
  • Cook on high for another 15 to 30 minutes until the sauce has thickened.
  • Shred the chicken using two forks. Stir gently to coat the shredded chicken with the thickened sauce. Serve the chicken over rice or in slider buns. Garnish with sesame seeds, green onions, and any remaining pineapple chunks.

Notes

This recipe is suitable for meal prep. You can easily substitute ground beef for chicken, though cooking times may need adjustment based on the beef cut you select.
By Emily Mitchell, Efficiency & Testing Coordinator at Recipes by Betty.
Keyword Crockpot Dishes, Crockpot Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken, Crockpot Recipes For Dinner, Dump And Go Crockpot Dinners, Fall Crockpot Recipes, Healthy Crockpot Meals, Healthy Dinner Recipes, Lazy Dinners, Slow Cook Recipes