Flavorful Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken Sliders with Sweet Tangy Glaze
These Hawaiian chicken sliders are slow-cooked to juicy perfection with a sweet and tangy glaze, perfect for easy weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. Made in a crockpot, they offer a tropical flavor with minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Ingredients
- 3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks in juice (reserve juice for glaze)
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice (from can or fresh)
- 1/3 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tsp sesame oil (optional)
- 12 slider buns (King’s Hawaiian sweet rolls recommended)
- Optional: sliced pineapple rings or coleslaw for topping
Instructions
- Rinse and pat dry the chicken breasts or thighs. Place them in the bottom of your crockpot in a single layer.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil until sugar dissolves.
- Drain pineapple chunks slightly, reserving juice for glaze. Scatter chunks evenly over chicken in crockpot.
- Pour the prepared glaze over the chicken and pineapple, coating everything evenly.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until chicken is tender and shreds easily.
- Shred the chicken in the crockpot using two forks, mixing well with glaze and pineapple chunks.
- Slice and lightly toast the slider buns to prevent sogginess.
- Spoon generous portions of Hawaiian chicken onto each bun. Add optional toppings like pineapple slices or coleslaw.
- Serve the sliders warm and enjoy.
Notes
Use chicken thighs for juicier meat or breasts for leaner option. Toast buns to prevent sogginess. If glaze is too thin after cooking, remove lid and cook on high for 15-20 minutes to thicken. For gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari and use gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps. Fresh lime juice added at the end brightens flavor. The glaze can be prepared up to two days ahead and refrigerated.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 20
Keywords: Hawaiian chicken sliders, crockpot chicken, sweet tangy glaze, slow cooker recipe, easy dinner, slider recipe, tropical chicken