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Our household just can't stop eating this Hawaiian pineapple chicken. Something magical happens when sweet pineapple meets tangy balsamic in your slow cooker, turning ordinary chicken into an extraordinary meal. The best part? You only need three ingredients, and your slow cooker handles everything.
Why You'll Fall For This Simple Dish
You likely have all three ingredients in your kitchen already. The prep only takes five minutes, then your slow cooker does all the work. The chicken comes out incredibly soft and tasty, working well in many ways - on rice, stuffed in tacos, or wrapped in lettuce cups.
What You'll Need
Pull out four chicken breasts - frozen is fine, but fresh works too. Get a bottle of balsamic vinaigrette and a can of pineapple chunks with juice. That's all you need for this fantastic dinner - just three simple items.
Cooking Your Island Chicken
Drop your chicken into the slow cooker, either frozen or thawed. Dump the balsamic vinaigrette over it, then add the entire can of pineapple including juice. Put the lid on and cook on low for 8 hours. After cooking, grab two forks and pull apart the soft chicken right in the sauce. That's all there is to it.
Helpful Hints
For a gentler flavor, try using just half the bottle of dressing. This works with both frozen and fresh chicken, but watch your cooking time. I sometimes add chopped bell peppers or onions for more flavor and some crunch.
Storage Tips
This chicken will stay good for 3 days if you keep it in a sealed container in your fridge. When you warm it up, add a little water or broth and microwave it for a couple minutes. You can freeze portions for up to 3 months too, just let them thaw overnight before heating.
Serving Ideas
We really enjoy this pineapple chicken over a bed of rice or with creamy mashed potatoes. Throw in some roasted vegetables or a green salad on the side and you've got dinner ready. The chicken tastes even better the day after when all the flavors have mixed together nicely.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I swap chicken breasts for thighs?
Absolutely, thighs are a great option here! They’re juicier and stay super tender with the pineapple sweetness.
- → Should I defrost the chicken beforehand?
No need to thaw—it works with frozen or thawed chicken. Just keep the cooking time at 8 hours for the best results.
- → What’s a good side besides rice?
Try serving this over mashed potatoes, quinoa, or cauliflower rice. It’s also awesome stuffed into buns for a pulled chicken sandwich.
- → Can fresh pineapple replace canned?
You can use fresh pineapple! Just add about 1/2 cup of juice or water since canned juice provides a lot of the liquid here.
- → What if the sauce turns out watery?
Remove the chicken, shred it, and mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water. Stir that in and cook on high for 15 minutes to thicken.