If you’re looking for an effortless dinner that’s packed with flavor, you’ve got to try this slow cooker Hawaiian barbecue chicken. It’s got a quick homemade BBQ sauce and all that sweet, sweet pineapple. The best part? It takes less than 10 minutes to get everything into the slow cooker. Then, you can set it and forget it while the slow cooker works its magic. When dinnertime rolls around, you’ll have tender, juicy chicken that you can enjoy whole with sides of your choice, or shred it for sandwiches.

Serve your chicken over coconut rice for an extra delicious meal.

Why Our Recipe

  • Homemade barbecue sauce so you control the flavor, yet it’s still easy to throw together.
  • Set it and forget it dinner with 10 minutes of prep.
  • Serve whole or shred the chicken to serve over rice or on sandwiches.
A hoagie roll filled with juicy Hawaiian BBQ shredded chicken and pineapple.

This recipe is a lifesaver for busy days when you want a hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen. The combination of ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and a hint of liquid smoke creates a delicious barbecue sauce that cooks right alongside your chicken Whether you serve the chicken whole over steamed rice with veggies, or on hoagie rolls, this Hawaiian barbecue chicken is sure to become a family favorite. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be making it on repeat!

Ingredient Notes

An overhead view of the ingredients needed to make slow cooker Hawaiian Barbecue Chicken.
  • Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best for this recipe, or you can use boneless skinless chicken thighs. Just know that there will be a little more gristle and fat with thighs.
  • Pineapple: You are looking for canned pineapple and you can use slices or chunks. Don’t forget to include the juice for extra flavor!
  • Butter: Chicken is pretty lean, so adding butter helps keep them moist.
  • Ketchup: The base for our homemade BBQ sauce.
  • Brown Sugar: Can be replaced with pure maple syrup.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Adds so much flavor.
  • Liquid Smoke: Hickory or mesquite both work well.
  • Hoagie Rolls (Optional): If you want to serve the shredded chicken as sandwiches, hoagie rolls are a great choice.

Serving Options

You can enjoy the chicken breasts whole, topped with the delicious homemade BBQ sauce and sweet pineapple slices which is both beautiful and delicious.

You can also shred the chicken. Simply use forks or tongs to pull the tender chicken apart right in the slow cooker, mixing it with the sauce and pineapple for a flavorful, juicy mixture. Shredded chicken offers even more serving options.

Over Steamed Rice: Serve the whole or shredded chicken over a bed of steamed rice for a simple yet delicious meal. There is plenty of sauce to go over the rice.

Sandwiches: Pile the shredded chicken onto hoagie rolls for mouthwatering sandwiches. Add a slice of cheese on there if you are feeling a bit extra.

A close up view into a slow cooker filled with shredded BBQ chicken and pineapple juices.

Make it a Freezer Meal

After cooking and shredding the chicken, let it cool completely. Divide the shredded chicken mixture into portions suitable for your needs—whether that’s individual servings or enough for a whole meal. Place each portion in a freezer-safe bag or container. If using bags, flatten them out to save space in the freezer and allow for quicker thawing later.

When you’re ready to enjoy, transfer the bag from the freezer to the fridge the night before to thaw. Once thawed, reheat the chicken mixture in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until it’s warmed through.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Refrigerate any leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Reheat in the microwave in 30-second increments until warmed through, stirring in between for even heating.

Reheat in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until it’s warmed through.

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