Description
Slow Cooker Tropical Pulled Chicken is a deliciously sweet and tangy dish made with boneless chicken breasts or thighs slow-cooked in a flavorful pineapple and tamari sauce. This easy, hands-off recipe results in tender shredded chicken perfect for serving on buns, in bowls, or wrapped in lettuce. Pair with a creamy cabbage slaw for a refreshing, tropical-inspired meal everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce
- ¼ cup reduced sodium gluten-free tamari
- 1 (8-oz) can crushed pineapple
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt (plus more to taste)
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Optional
- 5-Ingredient Everyday Creamy Cabbage Slaw (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the gluten-free tamari, crushed pineapple, tomato paste, honey, garlic powder, onion powder, grated fresh ginger, and kosher salt until well combined. Scoop out ¼ cup of this mixture and set it aside for later use.
- Coat the chicken: Place the chicken breasts or thighs into a 6-quart slow cooker. Pour the remaining sauce over the chicken. Use a spoon or tongs to turn the chicken pieces, ensuring they are evenly coated with the sauce.
- Cook the chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook on high heat for 4 hours or on low heat for 6 hours until the chicken is tender and fully cooked through.
- Shred the chicken: Remove the lid and use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker. Pour in the reserved ¼ cup of sauce and stir carefully to combine all the flavors evenly. Taste the mixture and add additional salt if desired.
- Serve: Serve the tropical pulled chicken warm on buns, over rice bowls, or in crisp lettuce wraps. Accompany with the creamy cabbage slaw for a refreshing contrast, if desired.
Notes
- The natural sweetness from pineapple and honey beautifully balances the savory tamari and warming ginger, creating a delightful tropical flavor.
- This recipe is very flexible—feel free to use chicken breasts or thighs based on your preference.
- Cooking times may vary depending on your slow cooker model, so check the chicken for tenderness before shredding.
- For a gluten-free variation, ensure all your ingredients, especially tamari and tomato paste, are certified gluten-free.
- This dish pairs well with light, fresh sides like cabbage slaw or simple steamed vegetables to complement its sweetness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 recipe)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
