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This easy pineapple chicken cooks in your slow cooker for a delicious entree you can serve over rice, veggies, or even in a sandwich!
Update: This recipe was originally published in 2018 and has been republished with all new photos.
With September right around the corner I am so ready to toss ingredients into the slow cooker, set it, and forget it. How about you?
Do you call it a slow cooker or a crock pot? I feel like crock pot is the term we use most in the South. (I know it’s technically the brand name of a specific slow cooker, but I call all tissue Kleenex even though sometimes we buy Puffs. Ya feel me?)
This Slow Cooker Shredded Pineapple Chicken is a life saver when you know your day or evening is going to be a little crazy. If you can plan ahead all you need to do is throw the ingredients in the slow cooker. When dinner time hits it’s all done and ready to eat!
The pineapple flavor isn’t super strong in this dish. It adds a bit of sweetness and helps create a yummy sauce you’ll want to lick right up.
For this recipe you’ll need (full list of ingredients and instructions are in the recipe card below):
- Chicken breasts
- Chicken stock or broth
- Crushed pineapple
- Tomato paste
- Coconut aminos
- A few simple seasonings
Toss in all the ingredients and let it cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or low for 6 to 8 hours. When it’s done you just shred your chicken. Voila.
Why use canned pineapple?
So why am I using canned pineapple instead of fresh when I’m a huge advocate for fresh ingredients? Canned fruit gets a bad wrap. If you’re using the kind that includes 100% fruit juice (no sugary syrups) then it can have just as much nutritional value as the fresh variety.  Plus it’s something I keep in the pantry so I don’t have to run out and buy it every time I want to make this recipe. I love the convenience!
Can you use fresh pineapple instead of canned?
Can you use fresh pineapple? Well of course you can! I’d chop it up nice and small. Be sure to include some of that juice too. You can also use canned pineapple rings or canned diced pineapple but I’d chop that too so it’s the consistency of crushed pineapple. If you’re using the canned crushed pineapple (my recommendation) just dump it all in.
Does this have a coconut flavor?
Not at all. Coconut aminos is a soy sauce substitute that has a lot less sodium and contains no soy. It truly tastes like a slightly sweet soy sauce! Learn more about what it is and why it’s so popular in healthy recipes here.
Can you use chicken thighs?
Absolutely. Feel free to use boneless skinless thighs if you prefer.
Does this chicken freeze well?
Yes, it freezes beautifully. Feel free to make extra, freeze it, and thaw it when you’re ready to eat. Thaw and reheat on medium heat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
What’s the best way to shred chicken?
I know the popular answer right now is to use a hand mixer. I’m personally not a fan. It feels like more work for me to set up the mixer and wash the paddles. Of course you can always use the mixer if you like! I prefer to use two large forks to shred chicken. It may feel a bit old fashioned, but its so effective and quick!
How to serve this shredded chicken
There are so many ways to serve up this chicken. The kids love it over rice and my husband enjoys his in a sandwich. If you want to go lighter or you’re doing Whole30 I recommend adding this on top of cauliflower rice or sauteed veggies like broccoli, zucchini, or green beans.
More recipes like this:
Slow Cooker Italian Shredded Chicken
Balsamic Peach Skillet Chicken
Instant Pot Sweet Sesame Chicken
Slow Cooker Shredded Pineapple Chicken
Ingredients
- 2.5 – 3 lb chicken breasts, that’s approximately 4 large chicken breasts
- 1 cup chicken stock or broth
- 16 oz crushed pineapple, in 100% juice, no syrup
- 6 oz tomato paste
- 1/3 cup coconut aminos
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in bottom of slow cooker. Add all other ingredients on top.
- Cook on high with lid on for 3 – 4 hours or low for 6 – 8 hours.
- Remove chicken from slow cooker and use a fork to shred it. Place shredded chicken back in the slow cooker. Stir.
- Add additional salt or pepper to taste.
- Serve over traditional rice, cauliflower rice, or veggies. This is also delicious in a baked potato or on a sandwich.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What an EASY and delightful meal – I have a feeling this is going on my weekly rotation for a while!! Thanks for such a healthy and easy spin on this classic…love it!!!
YUM! Love all the delicious flavor from the pineapple. So refreshing, sweet, and delicious!
I love how simply you’ve presented this chicken… just on rice. Perfect. Exactly the way I love eating chicken like this. Pure comfort food.
This sounds delicious and so easy. It would be perfect to make a big batch and use all week long!
I am excited about this recipe. I’m with you.. Slow cookers are fabulous time-savers and when it’s hot outside, like it is at the moment– it saves ‘heating up the entire kitchen’ but still produces a delicious meal. This sounds like a truly delicious recipe with lots of serving possibilities! Yes to the convenience of the occasional canned pineapple purchase!
I made this and added some hot sauce to balance the sweet of the pineapple. Pineapple is one fruit that I buy canned often because it can be used in so many ways.
I’m so going to do this in my instantpot. I do frozen chicken with a can of pineapple juice and garlic and it yields the best chicken for anything, so I know this has to be super good! I also use my mixer to shred the chicken breasts and then I toss it back in the juice. So easy and lazy. 😊
Easy, good, and filling served over rice. Makes a lot and freezes up great.Â
Thanks for the feedback, Toni!