Go Back
–+ servings
Slow cooker Hawaiian barbecue chicken sandwiches on a black plate with salad on a grey counter
Print Recipe
No ratings yet

Slow Cooker Hawaiian Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches

Tasty and Tangy Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken Sandwiches are a fun and sweet change for a simple slow cooker chicken meal with only a few pantry ingredients needed!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time5 hours
Total Time5 hours 15 minutes
Course: Dinner, Easy dinner
Cuisine: Hawaiian
Keyword: chicken dinner, easy chicken dinner, easy slow cooker recipe, hawaiian chicken and coconut rice, slow cooker, slow cooker chicken
Servings: 6
Author: Julia Pacheco

Ingredients

  • 2-3 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs (see trimming instructions below)

Sauce Ingredients

  • ½ yellow onion diced
  • 6 oz pineapple juice about ¾ cup
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • ½ tsp salt
  • Dash of black pepper
  • 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ tsp paprika

Optional for Serving

  • Hamburger buns or Hawaiian rolls
  • Cooked rice
  • Pineapple slices or coleslaw for topping

Instructions

Trim the Chicken Thighs

  • Using a sharp knife and clean cutting board:
  • Remove any large pieces of visible fat from the edges of each thigh.
  • If there are connective tissues or small bone fragments, carefully trim those off.
  • Pat chicken dry with a paper towel to help it absorb the sauce better.

Make Hawaiian Chicken

  • Prepare the Sauce. In a medium bowl, add all the sauce ingredients.
  • Whisk until well combined.
  • Assemble in the Slow Cooker: Place trimmed chicken thighs into the bottom of your slow cooker.
  • Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken.
  • Cook: Cover and cook on Low for 5 hours, or until chicken is fully cooked and tender (internal temp should reach 165°F / 74°C).
  • Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken and shred it using two forks.
  • Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to coat it in the sauce.
  • Serve: Spoon the chicken onto hamburger buns or Hawaiian rolls for sandwiches.
  • Optional: Top with pineapple slices or coleslaw.
  • Alternative: Serve over steamed rice for a lighter, gluten-free option.

Notes

  1. Add a splash of the pineapple juice right before serving to boost the tropical flavor.
  2. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 275kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 144mg | Sodium: 780mg | Potassium: 566mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 227IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 2mg
QR Code linking back to recipe