Crockpot Pineapple BBQ Chicken
Crockpot Pineapple BBQ Chicken is a hands-off, slow-cooked dish that combines tender chicken breasts or thighs with sweet pineapple chunks and smoky BBQ sauce for a deliciously juicy and flavorful meal. Perfect for weeknight dinners, this recipe features a delightful balance of tangy and tropical flavors, making it family-friendly and versatile for serving over rice, in sandwiches, or alongside fresh salads.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes (low) or 3 hours 14 minutes (high)
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Sauces & Seasonings
- 1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce (use your favorite brand or homemade)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
Produce
- 1 1/2 cups pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, drained if canned)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Start by seasoning the chicken breasts or thighs evenly with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. This step ensures every bite has a good base flavor that complements the BBQ sauce and pineapple.
- Layer in the Crockpot: Place the seasoned chicken pieces at the bottom of your slow cooker. Then add the pineapple chunks over the top, allowing their juices to mingle with the chicken during cooking.
- Pour BBQ Sauce: Pour your favorite BBQ sauce over the chicken and pineapple, making sure everything is well coated. This creates a sticky, savory glaze as it cooks.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The slow cooking method breaks down the chicken fibers, making it tender and juicy.
- Shred and Serve: Once cooked, shred the chicken directly in the crockpot using two forks so it soaks up even more of the sweet BBQ pineapple sauce. Stir well before serving.
Notes
- Choose the right cut: Thighs tend to stay juicier than breasts, perfect for shredding.
- Don’t skip shredding: It helps the flavors spread throughout the dish for consistent taste.
- Use fresh pineapple if possible: It adds a brighter, fresher sweetness compared to canned.
- Reserve some sauce: Keep extra BBQ sauce on hand for drizzling when serving.
- Set it low and slow: Cooking on low heat preserves moisture and enhances flavor infusion.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: Crockpot, Slow Cooker, BBQ Chicken, Pineapple, Sweet and Smoky, Family-Friendly, Weeknight Dinner, Shredded Chicken
Find it online: https://recipesbykaeli.com/crockpot-pineapple-bbq-chicken/