This easy slow cooker chicken recipe gives you a taste of a tropical luau. This recipe is traditionally called shoyu chicken. Serve this meal with steamed rice and macaroni salad for a Hawaiian lunch plate. The chicken would also be great on a Chinese chicken salad.
I first had Hawaiian slow cooker chicken at a friend’s party. Her son was turning 1 and they had a luau for him. I couldn’t get enough of this chicken! When I found out that this was a slow cooker chicken recipe, I was sure to ask for it. I’d say next to Amish Baked Chicken, this is my family’s favorite chicken dish. The chicken is just as moist as a beer can chicken without all the fuss.
When I cook chicken in the slow cooker, I prefer to use dark meat on the bone. I like thighs because there is just one bone and it’s really easy to remove after the chicken is done cooking. You can make this with boneless chicken, but I’d cut down the cooking time by about an hour and watch it to make sure it doesn’t dry out. I do remove the skin before I cook the chicken just to cut back on the fat and to allow the flavors to get right in to the meat.
I love serving this with rice, a green vegetable and then pineapple upside down cake for dessert for a little tropical meal at home.
Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken
Ingredients
- 8-12 chicken thighs, skin removed
- 3/4 cup soy sauce
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 3 cloves garlic, sliced
- 1" piece of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced thickly
Instructions
In the crock of a slow cooker combine soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, water, garlic and ginger. Stir to combine.
Add chicken and stir to cover.
Cook on low for 5-6 hours, stirring every few hours.