Simple Crockpot Huli Huli Chicken Recipe for Sunny Gatherings
Hawaiian sunshine meets comfort food magic in this mouthwatering crockpot huli huli chicken recipe that promises pure deliciousness.
Tender chunks of meat slowly simmer in a sweet and tangy sauce that captures island flavors perfectly.
Pineapple juice and soy sauce create an irresistible blend of tropical ingredients.
Juicy chicken absorbs every drop of amazing marinade during its slow cooking journey.
Minimal prep work means maximum flavor with minimal kitchen effort.
Each bite transports you to a beachy paradise without leaving your dining room.
Grab your ingredients and let the culinary adventure begin – this dish will become your new weekend favorite!
Why Crockpot Huli Huli Chicken Is A Family Favorite
What You Need For Crockpot Huli Huli Chicken
For the Protein:For the Marinade Base:For the Aromatics:For the Cooking and Garnish:How To Make Crockpot Huli Huli Chicken
Step 1: Prepare Crockpot Cooking Surface
Lightly spray the entire interior of the crockpot with non-stick cooking spray to ensure easy food release and simple cleanup afterward.
Step 2: Create Flavor-Packed Marinade
Whisk together the following ingredients in a mixing bowl:Blend until the mixture becomes a smooth, glossy sauce bursting with tropical flavors.
Step 3: Arrange Chicken in Crockpot
Place chicken breasts inside the crockpot, spreading them in a single layer to guarantee even cooking and maximum sauce coverage.
Step 4: Pour Marinade Over Chicken
Carefully distribute the prepared marinade across the chicken, ensuring each piece gets completely saturated with the delicious sauce.
Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection
Cover the crockpot and set to low heat. Allow chicken to cook slowly for 4-5 hours until the meat becomes incredibly tender and can be easily shredded with a fork.
Step 6: Shred the Chicken
Transfer cooked chicken to a cutting board and use two forks to pull the meat apart into delicate, succulent shreds.
Step 7: Optional Caramelization
For an extra flavor boost, spread shredded chicken on a baking sheet and broil for 2-3 minutes. Watch closely to prevent burning and achieve a beautiful golden color.
Step 8: Recoat with Sauce
Return shredded chicken to the crockpot, stirring thoroughly to reabsorb the remaining sauce and maximize flavor intensity.
Step 9: Garnish and Decorate
Top the chicken with:These garnishes add color, texture, and an authentic Hawaiian touch.
Step 10: Serve and Enjoy
Plate the Huli Huli chicken alongside steamed rice or your favorite side dish. Dive into a tropical culinary adventure that transports your taste buds to the Hawaiian islands.
Helpful Cooking Tips For Crockpot Huli Huli Chicken
Ways To Change Up Crockpot Huli Huli Chicken
Perfect Matches For Crockpot Huli Huli Chicken
How To Keep Crockpot Huli Huli Chicken Fresh
Common Questions About Crockpot Huli Huli Chicken
This Hawaiian dish was created in the 1950s by Ernest Morgado, who developed the recipe while cooking chicken at community events in Hawaii, using a special rotating grill that inspired the term “huli” meaning “turn” in Hawaiian.
The traditional recipe is not typically spicy. It’s known for its sweet and tangy flavor profile with a balanced combination of pineapple juice, soy sauce, and brown sugar that creates a rich, savory-sweet taste.
Absolutely! Chicken thighs work wonderfully in this recipe. They tend to be more forgiving during slow cooking and can actually result in more tender, juicy meat compared to chicken breasts.
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Crockpot Huli Huli Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes – 5 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Hawaiian huli huli chicken simmers with sweet and tangy flavors, creating a tropical paradise in your slow cooker. Juicy, caramelized chicken promises a delightful meal that transports you to island shores with minimal effort.
Ingredients
main ingredients:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
sauce ingredients:
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp ginger, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
garnish/optional ingredients:
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup fresh pineapple chunks
Instructions
- Prepare the crockpot by lightly coating the interior with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, rice vinegar, minced ginger, and minced garlic in a mixing bowl to create a vibrant, glossy marinade.
- Nestle chicken breasts into the crockpot, ensuring they are arranged in a single layer for even cooking.
- Pour the prepared marinade evenly over the chicken, making sure each piece is thoroughly coated and bathed in the flavorful sauce.
- Cover the crockpot and set to low heat, allowing the chicken to slow-cook for 4-5 hours until the meat becomes tender and easily shreds with a fork.
- Once cooking is complete, carefully remove the chicken and transfer to a cutting board, shredding the meat using two forks.
- Optional: For a caramelized finish, transfer shredded chicken to a baking sheet and broil for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Return shredded chicken to the crockpot, stirring to recoat with the remaining sauce and ensure maximum flavor absorption.
- Plate the Huli Huli chicken and garnish generously with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, and fresh pineapple chunks for a tropical presentation.
- Serve hot, accompanied by rice or your preferred side dish to complete the meal.
Notes
- Test marinade heat levels by adjusting brown sugar and adding a dash of sriracha for extra kick while maintaining authentic Hawaiian flavor profile.
- Swap chicken breasts with thighs for more succulent meat that absorbs sauce more deeply and prevents drying out during slow cooking.
- Pat chicken completely dry before adding marinade to help sauce cling better and create deeper caramelization during optional broiling step.
- Transform recipe into gluten-free version by replacing traditional soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos, ensuring same umami-rich taste without wheat complications.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Olivia Brooks
Contributing Writer
Expertise
Education
Culinary Institute of America
Accelerated Culinary Arts Certificate Program
Focus: Culinary fundamentals, nutrition, and healthy cooking technique
Olivia believes good food should feed both the body and the soul. She earned her Accelerated Culinary Arts Certificate from the Culinary Institute of America, where she focused on nutrition and practical cooking techniques that make healthy eating easy.
At 10 Below Ice Cream, Olivia shares single-serving recipes that are fresh, plant-forward, and full of heart. She loves helping people eat better, without stress, strict rules, or sacrificing flavor.
Beyond the kitchen, Olivia spends her time tending her backyard garden, practicing yoga, and discovering hidden gems in Portland’s food scene.