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Home » Slow Cooker » Slow Cooker Huli Huli Chicken

Slow Cooker Huli Huli Chicken

September 3, 2016 By Kim Beaulieu 32 Comments

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collage image of Slow Cooker Huli Huli Chicken, top image is a close up photo of cooked chicken in pan and bottom image is of pulled huli huli chicken on slider buns

This Slow Cooker Huli Huli Chicken is the ultimate set it and forget it recipe. The flavour is so intense that it’s hard to believe how easy this is to make. This will become your family’s favourite chicken recipe!

Click here to PIN this Slow Cooker Huli Huli Chicken!

close up image of cooked Slow Cooker Huli Huli Chicken in a pan

There are just some recipes out there that rock your world at dinnertime. Huli Huli chicken is one of those recipes. Whether you grill it, bake it, or cook it in the slow cooker, it will impress your family and friends every single time.

We love Hawaiian food in our household. My husband and I visited Hawaii for our honeymoon many, many moons ago. We fell in love with the culture, as well as the cuisine. The food in Hawaii was nothing short of spectacular.

Between luaus and visiting small local joints, we ate like kings and queens while we were there. So many dishes made a huge impact on me while we visited. I fell in love with Mahi Mahi. I also discovered Kalua Pork. It’s so freaking amazing.

Among all the delicious food we consumed while in Hawaii I have to say the Huli Huli Chicken really stood out. The flavour was out of this world. The chicken was so tender it melted in your mouth. I couldn’t eat enough of it.

overhead close up image of Slow Cooker Huli Huli Chicken in a pan on a red and white napkin on a grey countertop

Every now and then I like to whip up some Huli Huli Chicken at home to remind myself how much I loved Hawaii. We want to go back to visit next year and bring the kids. My daughter’s name is Hawaiian and I’ve always wanted her to see the place her name came from.

I’m looking forward to showing my daughter all the amazing things Hawaii has to offer. We have big plans to go scuba diving, snorkelling, and hiking. We also plan to do the helicopter rides through Kauai, and skydiving as well. I’m hoping we can also find time to try surfing. Horseback riding is also on the agenda.

close up image of Slow Cooker Huli Huli Chicken with a spoon scooping some meat out of the pan

This recipe is inspired by my gal pal Aly of Cooking in Stilettos. Aly is one of my besties in the food blogging world, and beyond it. She is my rock when life gets hard. Aly keeps me on even ground, and gives me the reality check I need on occasion. I adore her, and I’d be lost without her in my life.

Aly loves Polynesian food as much as I do. So I used her Huli Huli Chicken as a jump off point for this recipe. I knew I wanted the flavour of Huli Huli chicken, but I wanted to cook it in my slow cooker. I’m a sucker for set-it-and-forget-it recipes. I’m busy most days so I want cooking to be easy.

close up image of Slow Cooker Huli Huli Chicken with steam rising off of it

I took Aly’s recipe and changed a couple of minor things, mostly the cooking method. I think it turned out amazing and I’m so happy with the flavour of this one. It’s great on it’s on, or piled high on slider buns. This recipe also kicks ass on pizza. Pile it on top of pizza and drizzle BBQ sauce over top.

For this recipe I used pre-grilled chicken. I wanted the flavour of grilled chicken because I think that’s important when making Huli Huli Chicken. So I picked up some pre-grilled chicken breasts in the frozen food section of my grocery store. It’s not a deal breaker if you don’t use grilled chicken. That’s your call.

Slow Cooker Huli Huli Chicken in a white bowl on a red and white cloth napkin

I can highly advise using pineapple in your recipe though. Those tiny pieces of pineapple make this recipe pop. You’ll flip your lid when you taste this. No joke. Lids will be flipping left and right. All over town. It’s that good.

Get in your kitchen and pull out that crockpot you have hanging around in the cupboard. Give it a good clean, then slap all the ingredients for this recipe inside it. Turn the dial on, walk away, watch some Netflix, then bam! Dinner!

close image of Slow Cooker Huli Huli Chicken with black text overlay

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4.8 from 5 votes

Slow Cooker Huli Huli Chicken

This Slow Cooker Huli Huli Chicken is the ultimate set it and forget it recipe. The flavour is so intense that it's hard to believe how easy this is to make. This will become your family's favourite chicken recipe!
Course Main Course
Cuisine Slow Cooker
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 10 minutes
Author Kim Beaulieu

Ingredients

  • 1 package of pre-cooked grilled chicken breasts 20 oz/1.25 lb/566 g
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup Italian dressing
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup ketchup
  • 3/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1 can crushed pineapple 398 ml/14 fl oz
  • 1/2 cup water
  • Optional if making sandwiches with the meat:
  • 1 cup reserved juices from slow cooker
  • 1 teaspoon corn starch

Instructions

  • Place all your ingredients in the slow cooker and turn it on the low setting. Cook for about 6 to 8 hours, depending on how tender you want your chicken.
  • Remove meat from slow cooker.
  • Serve solo or on sandwich or slider buns.
  • If you want to take this up a notch and have an extra 5 minutes I highly recommend finishing this in a skillet to thicken it slightly for sandwiches. Follow instructions below:
  • Transfer the meat to a bowl and drain off excess liquid, reserving 1/2 to 1 cup of liquid.
  • Pour about 1/4 of the liquid in a small jar and add corn starch to it to make a slurry. Shake the jar until combined.
  • Pour remaining liquid into skillet and heat over medium-high heat for about a minute. Shake jar of slurry again, and add that to the skillet. Cook until thickened then add meat. Stir until well coated.
  • Pile it on sandwich or slider buns.
  • Serve with a big old Huli Huli Chicken loving smile!

Notes

Recipe adapted from Huli Huli Chicken from Cooking in Stilettos
You can cook this on low for 6 to 8 hours OR high for 3 to 4 hours. Time varies depending on your slow cooker.
This recipe can easily be doubled.
This recipe also freezes perfectly.

Other great Hawaiian Recipes from around the web:

  • Slow Cooker Kalua Pork from Try Anything Once
  • Kalua Pork Sliders with Spicy Pineapple Relish from Cooking in Stilettos
  • Leonard’s Bakery’s Hawaii Malasadas from Saveur
  • Pani Poppo from A Treats Affair
  • Hawaiian Poi from Polynesian Cultural Center

close up image of Slow Cooker Huli Huli Chicken in a black cast iron skillet sitting on a red and white napkin

Eat it straight up or on a bun. Whatever works for you!

Slow Cooker Huli Huli Chicken from cravingsofalunatic.com- This recipe is the ultimate set it and forget it recipe. There's so much flavour packed into this recipe, yet it's incredibly easy to make!

Craving more Slow Cooker Recipes? Check these out!

Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas

overhead image of slow cooker chicken fajitas

Slow Cooker Pulled BBQ Chicken

close up image of Slow Cooker Pulled BBQ Chicken in a white bowl sitting on a grey napkin

Slow Cooker Mini Rib Sliders

close up image of cooked Mini Rib Sliders on a wood platter

Take some time to peruse my recipe index. You can find lots of slow cooker recipes, plus tons of main course recipes as well.

Be sure to follow me on Pinterest. I’m always pinning great recipes, and fun DIY ideas. You should also follow me Instagram. I share all my latest and greatest recipes there.

Toodles! xx

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Comments

  1. John/Kitchen Riffs says

    September 6, 2016 at 8:03 PM

    I’d make this just because the name is so neat! 🙂

    Reply
  2. Karyn Granrud says

    September 7, 2016 at 4:52 PM

    Growing up in the islands and getting Huli Huli Chicken from the street vendors, I’ve got to admit that you have my taste buds going! This sounds amazing! I’d love a big ol’ sammich of that right now! Did you know you can also order the sauce via amazon? That’s what I do 🙂

    Reply
    • Kim Beaulieu says

      September 9, 2016 at 2:16 AM

      Game changer. I had no idea you could order it on Amazon. Ordering some this weekend.

      I’ve been obsessed with Huli Huli Chicken lately. I have a bunch more recipes coming up. Ha.

      I’m still so envious you grew up there. We should plan a retreat for a few of us in Hawaii and have you show us the best places to eat and play.

      Reply
  3. Lauren Kelly Nutrition says

    September 7, 2016 at 8:37 PM

    I love anything made in the slow cooker and this looks AMAZING! I love when I find a recipe that my whole family will eat 🙂

    Reply
  4. Kellie @ The Suburban Soapbox says

    September 7, 2016 at 8:55 PM

    Holy moly! That looks delish! I’ve never been to Hawaii but I love all the flavors of this dish and think it could really take my tastebuds on a vacation of their own.

    Reply
  5. Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

    September 8, 2016 at 12:12 AM

    Oh my goodness, I’m totally drooling over here! That looks SO good and I love the addition of the pineapple!

    Reply
  6. Nicole says

    September 9, 2016 at 3:42 PM

    This looks ah-mazing! I have pinned it to my slow cooker board because I must try this asap! Thank you for linking up at the #HomeMattersParty this week!

    Reply
  7. Dee says

    September 10, 2016 at 2:25 AM

    This looks amazing — love that it’s made in the slow cooker! Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday.

    Reply
  8. Pat C.Wilson says

    September 13, 2016 at 2:11 PM

    it looks tasty just like i can smell it around here. xD everything made by slow cooker is delicious but very quick and simple ( i love that). now this must be the recipe for our family’s today dinner. thanks for sharing, Kim.

    Reply
  9. Lauren Gaskill | Making Life Sweet says

    September 14, 2016 at 12:30 PM

    I want to eat the whole bowl of this chicken! Amazing photos and delicious recipe. This is a 10 in my book!

    Reply
  10. Shadi Hasanzadenemati says

    September 14, 2016 at 4:57 PM

    I’m so in love with this chicken dish! I totally will make it next week! Everyone will love it!

    Reply
  11. Renee - Kudos Kitchen says

    September 15, 2016 at 6:50 PM

    Sounds so easy. Looks so incredible. Can’t wait to make this. Pinning. Printing. Cooking 🙂

    Reply
  12. Beverley Press says

    September 15, 2016 at 10:27 PM

    thank you girls for a great looking and tasty recipe, yes I can see this being an all time new favorite of mine xoxo

    Reply
  13. Betsy @ Desserts Required says

    September 15, 2016 at 10:31 PM

    It’s hard to adequately describe how badly I want this chicken. I can’t wait to get in the kitchen and let my slow cooker do the work! Sharing on Desserts Required this weekend. <3

    Reply
  14. Sabrina Zaragoza says

    October 4, 2016 at 12:33 AM

    I love Hawaiian food, too, and this recipe seems quite attractive and delicious to me. Will definitely try to make this. Thanks for sharing, Betsy.

    Reply
  15. LL says

    February 14, 2017 at 1:08 AM

    3 words. THE BEE’S KNEES

    Reply
  16. Amanda says

    August 5, 2017 at 1:49 PM

    I have a ton of raw chicken breasts, can I use those instead of cooked??

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Kim Beaulieu says

      August 7, 2017 at 7:02 PM

      Hi, Amanda.You can totally use raw chicken, you’ll just have to adjust the cooking time a bit.

      I just used pre-cooked grilled chicken because I had it on hand and wanted the grill flavour.

      Reply
  17. Vivian says

    August 16, 2017 at 7:16 AM

    This looks so delicious, I absolutely love it. And also love your photos, they are great.

    Reply
  18. Francis says

    May 17, 2018 at 6:58 AM

    Lovely pictures, make me want to make this dish right now.

    Reply
  19. Sasha Jamison says

    November 10, 2018 at 8:47 AM

    4 stars
    My husband is very very picky and he devoured this. We will be making this a staple in our dinners 😋

    Reply
    • Kim Beaulieu says

      November 13, 2018 at 9:48 PM

      Yeah!! I’m so happy to hear that. My daughter and myself are picky eaters so I can totally relate to how amazing it is to find tried and true recipes everyone loves.

      Reply
  20. stokvia says

    June 14, 2019 at 6:29 AM

    5 stars
    I was very encouraged to find this site. I wanted to thank you for this special read. I definitely savored every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.

    Reply
    • Kim Beaulieu says

      June 16, 2019 at 5:27 PM

      Thank you.

      Reply
  21. Johanna says

    July 26, 2019 at 7:07 PM

    Hi! This looks amazing. Just wondering what kind of italian dressing you used?

    Reply
    • Kim Beaulieu says

      December 11, 2019 at 8:10 PM

      Hi Johanna. Sorry, I’ve been off work for some time due to some health issues. Finally back to work and trying to catch up. I apologize for leaving you hanging for so long.

      Anyhow, I personally love Kraft but any brand will do.

      Reply
  22. byuu says

    September 29, 2019 at 2:00 AM

    5 stars
    This looks soooo yummy!and delicious! Great post 🙂 x

    Reply
    • Kim Beaulieu says

      December 11, 2019 at 8:03 PM

      Thanks so much!

      Reply
  23. Eydie Rosler says

    September 30, 2019 at 3:12 PM

    5 stars
    We fell in love with Huli Huli Chicken after trying it in Maui last year and I’ve been looking for a way to make it at home in the crock pot. I made this on Sunday and it is absolutely delicious! My husband loved it!

    Thank You!

    Reply
    • Kim Beaulieu says

      December 11, 2019 at 8:03 PM

      Hi Eydie. I love Huli Huli chicken too. It’s best grilled but this is fun and easy alternative. I’m thrilled you liked it.

      We had it for the first time in Oahu about 25 years ago. I’m actually going to Kauai with my daughter in March and I’m really looking forward to eating lots of Huli Huli chicken!!

      Reply
  24. Kelly says

    November 5, 2020 at 5:16 PM

    5 stars
    Delicious! The only change I made was I added about 1/4t of ground ginger and a tablespoon of Sambal Oelek (chili sauce) for a little heat.

    Reply
    • Kim Beaulieu says

      November 10, 2020 at 10:35 PM

      Thanks so much Kelly. I’m so glad you liked it. I love the additions you used. Sounds yummy!

      Reply

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