Crockpot Huli Huli Chicken Recipe

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

  • Simplify Meal Prep: Crockpot cooking eliminates complex cooking techniques, allowing you to toss ingredients together and let the appliance do the hard work.
  • Packed with Tropical Flavors: The combination of pineapple juice, soy sauce, and ginger creates a mouthwatering Hawaiian-inspired dish that transports your taste buds to a sunny paradise.
  • Versatile Serving Options: Shredded Huli Huli chicken works perfectly in tacos, sandwiches, salads, or served over rice, making it a flexible meal for various dining preferences.
  • Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Kids and adults alike will love the sweet and tangy flavors, making this a guaranteed hit for family dinners and gatherings.

What You Need For Crockpot Huli Huli Chicken

For the Protein:
  • Chicken Breasts: Lean and tender meat that serves as the main protein in this Hawaiian-inspired dish.
For the Marinade Base:
  • Pineapple Juice: Provides a sweet and tangy foundation that tenderizes the chicken.
  • Soy Sauce: Adds depth and umami flavor to the marinade.
  • Brown Sugar: Brings a rich sweetness and helps create a caramelized coating.
  • Ketchup: Contributes a subtle tomato base and additional sweetness.
  • Rice Vinegar: Introduces a light acidic note to balance the flavors.
For the Aromatics:
  • Ginger, Garlic: Fresh aromatics that infuse the chicken with intense, warm flavors.
For the Cooking and Garnish:
  • Non-Stick Cooking Spray: Ensures easy release and simple cleanup of the crockpot.
  • Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Fresh garnishes that add visual appeal and extra texture.
  • Fresh Pineapple Chunks: Provides a burst of tropical freshness and complements the dish's Hawaiian theme.

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:
  • Pineapple juice
  • Soy sauce
  • Brown sugar
  • Ketchup
  • Rice vinegar
  • Minced ginger
  • Minced garlic

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:
  • Chopped green onions
  • Sesame seeds
  • Fresh pineapple chunks

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

  • Spray Smart: Lightly coat the crockpot with non-stick cooking spray to prevent chicken from sticking and simplify post-cooking cleanup.
  • Whisk with Precision: Combine marinade ingredients thoroughly to ensure a balanced, flavorful sauce that coats every chicken piece evenly.
  • Layer Strategically: Arrange chicken breasts in a single layer for consistent cooking and maximum sauce absorption throughout the meat.
  • Broil for Texture: Optional step to caramelize shredded chicken, adding a crispy, golden-brown exterior that enhances overall flavor and presentation.
  • Garnish Generously: Top with fresh green onions, sesame seeds, and pineapple chunks to bring a vibrant, tropical touch and add extra layers of flavor and visual appeal.

Ways To Change Up Crockpot Huli Huli Chicken

  • Spicy Pineapple Chicken: Replace soy sauce with sriracha and add red pepper flakes for a fiery kick.
  • Coconut Fusion Chicken: Swap pineapple juice with coconut milk and add shredded coconut for a tropical Caribbean-style version.
  • Gluten-Free Hawaiian Chicken: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and gluten-free ketchup to accommodate gluten sensitivities.
  • Instant Pot Quick Version: Reduce cooking time to 15-20 minutes on high pressure for a faster meal preparation alternative.

Perfect Matches For Crockpot Huli Huli Chicken

  • Pair Tropical Tropical Fruit Salad: Create a zesty side salad with fresh mango, papaya, and kiwi to complement the sweet and tangy Huli Huli chicken flavor profile.
  • Sip Coconut Pineapple Mocktail: Blend chilled coconut water with fresh pineapple juice and a splash of lime for a refreshing beverage that echoes the chicken's Hawaiian-inspired notes.
  • Match Cilantro Lime Rice: Prepare fluffy white rice infused with chopped cilantro and fresh lime zest to provide a bright, herbaceous counterpoint to the rich, caramelized chicken.
  • Enhance Macadamia Nut Crunch: Sprinkle toasted, chopped macadamia nuts over the dish to add a delightful texture and authentic Hawaiian-inspired nutty dimension to the meal.

How To Keep Crockpot Huli Huli Chicken Fresh

  • Store leftover Huli Huli chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
  • Transfer cooled chicken to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, label with date, and freeze for 2-3 months.
  • Place chicken in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few tablespoons of water or reserved sauce to prevent drying. Cover and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until heated thoroughly to 165°F.
  • Spread chicken in a baking dish, add a splash of chicken broth or reserved sauce.

Common Questions About Crockpot Huli Huli Chicken

  • What is Huli Huli chicken's origin?

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.

  • Is Huli Huli chicken spicy?

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.

  • Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

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

Crockpot Huli Huli Chicken Recipe


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4.6 from 18 reviews

  • 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

Scale

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

  1. Prepare the crockpot by lightly coating the interior with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
  2. 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.
  3. Nestle chicken breasts into the crockpot, ensuring they are arranged in a single layer for even cooking.
  4. Pour the prepared marinade evenly over the chicken, making sure each piece is thoroughly coated and bathed in the flavorful sauce.
  5. 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.
  6. Once cooking is complete, carefully remove the chicken and transfer to a cutting board, shredding the meat using two forks.
  7. Optional: For a caramelized finish, transfer shredded chicken to a baking sheet and broil for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
  8. Return shredded chicken to the crockpot, stirring to recoat with the remaining sauce and ensure maximum flavor absorption.
  9. Plate the Huli Huli chicken and garnish generously with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, and fresh pineapple chunks for a tropical presentation.
  10. 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

Olivia Brooks

Contributing Writer

Expertise

  • Healthy recipe development
  • Plant-based cooking
  • Nutritional analysis
  • Food writing and content creation

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.

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