This Crockpot Pineapple Chicken is sweet and tangy and made with just SIX ingredients! You can prep ahead and freeze before cooking. Step by step video down in the recipe card.
Table of Contents
This Crockpot Pineapple Chicken is the first in a new month of Six Ingredient Slow Cooker Suppers (see all of my Six Ingredient Suppers here).
We love pineapple on and in everything (I know there are those who feel differently!), and this pineapple chicken made with just a few ingredients is a new favorite.
It’s so easy I’m sure my 8 year old could prep it by herself!
How to get perfect slow cooker chicken breasts:
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the past 5 or so years that I’ve been testing and fine tuning recipes, it’s that chicken breasts do not need to cook more than 2 or 3 hours on low.
The exact time will be dependant on the thickness of your chicken breasts and how hot your slow cooker cooks on either temperature setting, but in my 2.5 quart crockpot about half to two-thirds full, my chicken breasts are cooked through in 2-3 hours.
The longer you cook them past the point of doneness, the drier they will be. So when people ask if they can cook a chicken breast recipe for 8 hours? The answer is, “you can. But do you want to?”
A meat thermometer is the only accurate way to test for doneness in any meat — so please do not assess according to color.
The other tip I have for getting really juicy chicken breasts out of the crockpot is to leave them whole. Smaller pieces will cook and dry out quicker, so leaving them whole is always your best bet if possible.
Variations on this Pineapple Chicken recipe:
- If you want to use fresh pineapple, check out my post on How to Cut a Pineapple. Since there is a significant amount of juice in the can, you’ll want to also add about ¾ cup pineapple juice or chicken broth.
- Feel free to add in some veggies: since this chicken recipe doesn’t cook too long, you can add thinly sliced carrots, onions or peppers from the beginning. If you want to add vegetables with a short cook time, like broccoli or green beans, I recommend adding those near the end.
- Add a splash or sriracha or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for some heat
- Add a ¼ cup barbecue sauce for barbecue pineapple chicken
Can I make this on the stove top?
You can definitely make this recipe in a skillet if you don’t have a crockpot, or if you’re short on time.
Place all of the ingredients in the skillet the same way you would put them in the slow cooker, and simmer on medium-low heat until cooked through, about 15 minutes.
Always use a meat thermometer to check the doneness of the chicken — you are looking for a minimum of 165 degrees F.
Can I make this Pineapple Chicken in the oven?
You can also make this Pineapple Chicken in the oven.
Place the chicken breasts in a single layer in a large baking dish. Whisk together the sauce as the recipe requires, then pour over the chicken breasts in the pan.
Cover and bake at 400 degrees F for 20-30 minutes until the thickest part of the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Can I use chicken thighs or bone in chicken?
You can swap in boneless skinelss chicken thighs for the chicken breasts with no other changes to the recipe or cook time.
If you wish to use bone in chicken breasts or thighs, you will want to increase the cook time to 5-6 hours on low.
More crockpot chicken recipes you’ll love:
- Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken
- Crockpot Whole Chicken — perfect for meal prep!
- Slow Cooker Chicken Breast — with rave reviews from readers!
- Creamy Italian Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes — a complete meal in one pot.
Crockpot Pineapple Chicken
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 can pineapple chunks with juice (398ml or 14oz)
- 2/3 cup brown sugar packed
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (or sub white)
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in 2.5-4 quart slow cooker.
- Drain juice from pineapple chunks.
- Whisk together pineapple juice, brown sugar, vinegar, corn starch, garlic and salt and pepper. Pour over chicken breasts and top with pineapple.
- Cover and cook on low for 2-4 hours (3 is usually perfect for me) until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F.
- Taste sauce and adjust seasonings and sweetness as desired before serving.
Nutrition Information
Want to save this recipe?
Create an account easily save your favorite content, so you never forget a recipe again.
Tried this recipe?
Tag @thereciperebel or hashtag #thereciperebel — I love to see what you’re making!
Tag @thereciperebel
Sharon says
Can this be made with boneless, skinless thighs
Ashley Fehr says
Absolutely! They’ll cook in about the same amount of time.
Courtney Torchia says
This is SO DELICIOUS! It is definitely going to be one that we make often. I added ginger in the sauce mixture, served it all over jasmine rice, and topped with cilantro. Seriously so yummy and EASY! Thank you!!
Ashley Fehr says
Thank you for your review Courtney! I’m so glad (love the ginger idea!)
Martha says
I made this for 6 dinner guests and served it with a Steamed Bok choy with oyster sauce, Asian raw Napa cabbage salad, homemade Thai peanut salad dressing, Japanese miso soup, Asian potstickers and miso butter sweet potatoes. This was a hit. Everyone loved it. And it was so fast.
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Martha! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Mary White says
Can this be cooked in an oven
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Mary! You could easily make this in the oven! Enjoy!
Carol says
Tried this recipe adapting it to make it low calorie. Oh, my goodness! This was fabulous. Here are the adaptations.
Added teaspoon of Ginger
Substituted Splenda brown sugar
Use Everything Bagel Seasoning instead of minced garlic, salt and pepper.
Added a pinch of Thyme.
Absolutely amazing!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Carol! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Cyna says
Quick & Easy ! Everyone in my family loves it. It’s usually gone before I remember to take a pic !
I like adding a few tablespoons of bbq sauce.
Ashley Fehr says
That’s a great idea!
Marion Mazura says
Hi Ashley, I had huge split chicken breast. Googled easy pineapple chicken recipe, and yours looked the easiest. So I went with it, been cooking for 45 mins., starting to smell sooo good. My husband and I can’t wait til it’s done. I love anything pineapple!! Thanks 💖
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Marion! I love pineapple too!
Anna Rubio says
What do you think about adding a teaspoon of ginger to it? I’m making this tonight.
Ashley Fehr says
That’s a great idea!
Natasha says
I have prepped dinner meals for the week and am freezing this recipe at the moment. How much time would I add to cook in crock pot from frozen? (BTW I’ve made it fresh before and just loved it)
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Natasha! I’m so glad you liked it! I have never tried cooking from frozen (cooking chicken from frozen isn’t recommended in the slow cooker) so I can’t say how much time it would require
Sandra says
Delicious!! Easy! My husband and I both loved it. Served over rice- yum!!!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Sandra! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this review!
trading says
I love it
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks!
Sarah says
this is in my crockpot now, can’t wait to taste it! I love it when I HAVE ALL THE INGREDIENTS ON HAND!!! 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Sarah! I love that too!
Beth says
This is so perfect as I was literally just looking for a recipe that could be frozen then dumped in a crockpot! With these busy upcoming months, I was looking for a recipe just like this that is easy to prep and so delicious!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Beth! We love it too!
LAUREN KELLY says
My family absolutely loved this! We will definitely make it again soon!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Lauren!
Toni Dash says
This is so good!! Everyone loved it for dinner!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Toni!
MMW says
Wow we loved this. What a terrific flavor combo! Will definitely have it again.
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so glad!
Brandy says
Made this for dinner tonight and it was delicious. Super easy to put together. I was a little worried since I only had crushed pineapple. I did everything as directed I just had the pineapple in the mixture instead of putting on top since I couldn’t separate the crushed stuff from the juice. It turned out fantastic. Thanks for the easy weeknight meal!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Brandy! I’m so glad you liked it!
Gary says
The recipe looks great, but I have a lot of chicken parts in the freezer. What modifications would be necessary to put all of these various parts into the recipe and get the same delicious result?
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Gary! I’m really not sure, as every “chicken part” cooks differently and for different lengths of time. You would have best results if you separate them into “like parts” and then find a cooking time for each by googling slow cooker cook time for breasts/thighs/drumsticks/etc
Hayden says
Is there a way to make this in an instant pot?
Ashley Fehr says
I have an Instant Pot Pineapple Chicken recipe here that is similar: https://www.thereciperebel.com/instant-pot-pineapple-chicken-breasts-recipe-video/
Hayden Gleason says
Thank you so much! I made the IP version for my family and my partner brought his to work for lunch. He messaged me when he tried it and was gushing at how much he loved it! Definitely my favorite chicken recipe!!!
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so glad to hear that!
Patricia Riippi says
I LOVE Pineapple and this recipe sounds delish… plan on making this soon.
Ashley Fehr says
I’d love to hear what you think!