Crock Pot Huli Huli Chicken (Print Version)
Tender chicken slow-cooked in a sweet, tangy pineapple-soy glaze with hints of 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:
01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and black pepper until well combined.
02 - Place chicken thighs in the crock pot. Pour marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are coated.
03 - Cover and cook on low for 4–6 hours, or until chicken is cooked through and tender.
04 - For a thicker sauce, remove chicken to a serving platter. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Stir slurry into the sauce in the crock pot, cover, and cook on high for 10–15 minutes, until thickened. Return chicken to the pot and coat with sauce.
05 - Serve chicken over steamed rice. Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and pineapple slices if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The pineapple soy glaze creates this incredible sticky coating that makes every bite feel like a celebration
- Your slow cooker does all the heavy lifting while you go about your day
- Leftovers taste even better the next day, if they last that long
02 -
- Sauce will taste quite salty before cooking but the saltiness mellows significantly during the long slow cook
- Opening the lid too often adds 15 to 20 minutes of cooking time each time, so resist the urge to check
- That glaze thickens quickly once you add the cornstarch, so stir constantly for those last few minutes
03 -
- Quick sear the chicken thighs in a hot pan before slow cooking for that authentic charred flavor
- Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for 2 minutes until fragrant, it makes a huge difference