Crock Pot Huli Huli Chicken (Printable)

Tender chicken thighs slow-cooked in a sweet and smoky pineapple-soy glaze for effortless tropical flavors.

# What You'll 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, for serving)
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 the sugar dissolves completely.
02 - Place chicken thighs in the crock pot, arranging them in an even layer. Pour the prepared marinade over the chicken, turning pieces to ensure thorough coating.
03 - Cover and cook on low heat for 4–6 hours until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and is tender enough to shred easily with a fork.
04 - For a thicker consistency, transfer chicken to a platter. Mix cornstarch with water to form a smooth slurry, then stir into the cooking liquid. Cover and cook on high for 10–15 minutes until sauce thickens. Return chicken to coat evenly.
05 - Plate chicken over steamed rice and spoon sauce generously over the top. Scatter with green onions, sesame seeds, and fresh pineapple if desired.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The sauce thickens into this gorgeous sticky glaze that clings to every bite
  • Your slow cooker does all the heavy lifting while you go about your day
  • That perfect balance of sweet pineapple and savory soy makes everyone ask for seconds
02 -
  • Searing the chicken in a hot pan 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 cooking
  • If you're using chicken breasts, check for doneness around 4 hours so they don't dry out
03 -
  • Line your slow cooker insert with parchment for the easiest cleanup ever
  • If your pineapple juice is pulpy, give it a quick strain so the sauce turns out smooth
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for 2 minutes, it makes a huge difference in flavor

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