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Slow Cooker Tropical Pulled Chicken Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.4 from 72 reviews
  • Author: Emily
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours
  • Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Fusion
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Slow Cooker Tropical Pulled Chicken is a flavorful and easy-to-make recipe featuring tender chicken simmered in a sweet and tangy pineapple-tamari sauce. This dish is perfect for a nourishing dinner, served warm on buns, in bowls, or wrapped in lettuce with creamy cabbage slaw, making it a crowd-pleaser with a tropical twist.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Sauce

  • 1/4 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
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more to taste)

Chicken

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs

Serving suggestion

  • 5-Ingredient Everyday Creamy Cabbage Slaw (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together tamari, crushed pineapple, tomato paste, honey, garlic powder, onion powder, grated fresh ginger, and kosher salt. Scoop out ¼ cup of this sauce and set it aside for later use.
  2. Add chicken to slow cooker: Place the 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs into a 6-quart slow cooker. Pour the remaining sauce over the chicken and turn the pieces to coat them evenly in the sauce.
  3. Cook the chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook the chicken on high for 4 hours or on low for 6 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
  4. Shred the chicken: Uncover the slow cooker, remove the chicken, and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir in the reserved ¼ cup sauce. Taste the mixture and add additional salt as needed.
  5. Serve: Serve the warm tropical pulled chicken on buns, in bowls, or wrapped in lettuce leaves. Pair with the optional Creamy Cabbage Slaw for a fresh contrast.

Notes

  • Using reduced sodium tamari keeps the sauce flavorful but not too salty.
  • Fresh grated ginger adds a bright, zesty flavor to balance the sweetness of the pineapple and honey.
  • You can substitute chicken thighs for a moister result or use chicken breasts if preferred.
  • This dish is versatile and can be served in sandwiches, bowls, or lettuce wraps to suit your meal style.
  • The optional Creamy Cabbage Slaw complements the tropical flavors with a crunchy, creamy texture.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 280
  • Sugar: 10g
  • Sodium: 450mg
  • Fat: 4g
  • Saturated Fat: 1g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 18g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 36g
  • Cholesterol: 85mg

Find it online: https://emilyquickdinners.com/slow-cooker-tropical-pulled-chicken-recipe/