That first hiss from the cooker tells you somethin good is happenin. You spot the steam cues slowly building up, sealing ring snug in place, and that pressure rising right inside your pot. It's kinda like the promise of dinner getting better by the minute, y'all.

You remember the wait feels longer, but you gotta trust the process. The steam cooks everything fast but keeps those flavors tight and juicy. Heck, it even chops hours off what used to be a slow dance in the kitchen.
That little pokin sound when you do a quick release is like music, signaling that it’s time to dig in. You open the lid and catch a sweet pineapple aroma mingled with savory soy sauce. This Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken just works, no fuss, just full belly happy.
What Makes Pressure Cooking Win Every Round
- It cooks your chicken super fast compared to oven or slow cooker ways.
- The sealing ring traps all those tasty juices so nothing escapes, gettin all that broth depth right where it belongs.
- You can do a quick release when ya in a rush or slow release if you wanna keep things tender and juicy longer.
- Pressure cookers keep the flavors locked tight, you don’t lose that sweet Hawaiian punch you’re after.
- Clean up’s way easier cause everything’s in one pot, no mess chasing after you.
Your Simple Ingredient Checklist
- ½ pound boneless skinless chicken breasts cubed
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari if you need gluten-free
- 1 teaspoon tomato paste for that rich depth
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce to boost the umami
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder for a little kick
- ½ teaspoon brown sugar to sweeten things up
- Black pepper to taste, just a pinch for some warmth
- 1 red bell pepper diced to add crunch and color
- 8 ounces small can of pineapple chunks with juices for that Hawaiian twist
- Scallions for garnish (optional but y’all should try it)
- Rice for serving (optional but it soaks up all those juices good)

The Exact Process From Start to Finish
First, you gotta whisk together the soy sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, brown sugar and some black pepper in a medium bowl. Make sure it’s all nice and smooth like you want the flavors good mixed.
Next, toss your cubed chicken into the slow cooker or pressure cooker pot. Pour the sauce right over the chicken. Stir it well so every piece gets coated in that sweet, savory sauce.
Add the diced red bell pepper next, followed by the pineapple chunks with their juices. Stir everything again to combine those ingredients all together.
Seal your pressure cooker lid making sure the sealing ring is set and you’re ready for steam buildup. Set it to cook on low for 4 to 5 hours if you using slow cooker mode, or hit that pressure cooker high for 2 to 3 hours if you wanna speed things up.
Wait for that steam cues buildup and watch the pressure build. When cook time's done, you can go for a quick release if you’re hungry, or slow release if you wanna keep chicken extra tender.
Once you open the lid, give it a good stir to spread those flavors around real nice. You might wanna add a sprinkle of scallions on top for a fresh pop of green.
Finally, serve your sweet Hawaiian chicken warm over rice or on its own. It’s juicy, sweet and definitely gonna become a favorite.
Easy Tweaks That Make Life Simple
If you’re short on time, cubin chicken smaller helps it cook faster, no mess. Also, mixing the sauce in a jar and shaking it up means less dishes to wash later.
You can swap the red bell pepper for frozen mixed veggies if you need to keep it all quick and easy, and y’all, canned pineapple juices add the right sweet tang without any extra hassle.
Don’t wanna wait for that slow release? Quick release works just fine here, but watch for the steam blast and maybe use a kitchen towel to keep your hands safe.
Your First Taste After the Wait
When you finally get to taste this chicken, you notice the meat is tender like it’s fallin apart just right. The sweetness from the pineapple mixes perfectly with that salty soy sauce base.
There’s a lil’ warmth from black pepper and garlic powder that sneaks in but never steals the show. The diced red bell pepper still got some crunch, adds a nice texture contrast.
The broth depth is just right, thick enough to coat rice but not too sticky, it’s balanced. Every bite kinda makes you wanna go back for one more forkful, seriously.

How to Store This for Later
Let your chicken cool down a bit before you pop it in an airtight container. That way it stays juicy and fresh when you reheat.
You can keep it in the fridge up to 3 days, perfect for leftovers or meal prep when you gotta eat fast later on.
For longer storage, freeze it in bags or containers. Just defrost overnight in the fridge and warm it gently in your pressure cooker set on low broth mode to keep it from dryin out.
Common Questions and Real Answers
- Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts? Yeah, you totally can. They stay juicy and add a bit more flavor. Just keep the cook time the same.
- Do I need to brown the chicken first? Not really, this recipe works fine without browning. Browning adds flavor but takes extra time.
- What’s the best way to check doneness? Chicken should reach 165°F inside. Your pressure cooker usually cooks it well, but if unsure, cut a piece and see if it’s no longer pink.
- Can I leave out the Worcestershire sauce? Sure, you can leave it out. The flavor might be a lil less deep but still tasty.
- How do I avoid a burn notice on my pressure cooker? Make sure you have enough liquid like pineapple juice. Stir everything well so nothing sticks to the bottom.
- Should I use quick release or slow release? Slow release keeps chicken more tender but takes longer. Quick release is great if you gotta eat fast just watch out for steam blowing up.
For related recipes, check out our Cheesy Kielbasa Hashbrown Casserole Dump Meal Recipe for a quick and easy option using kielbasa, or explore Mozzarella Stuffed Rosemary Parmesan Soft Pretzels featuring cheesy, herbed treats perfect for snacks. Also, don’t miss our Easy Marinated Cheese Appetizer with Salami & Green Olives as a savory delight to complement your meals.

Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken
Equipment
- 1 Slow cooker
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 0.5 pound Boneless skinless chicken breasts cubed
- 2 tablespoons Soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
- 1 teaspoon Tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 0.25 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Brown sugar
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 Red bell pepper diced
- 8 ounces Pineapple chunks small can with juices
- Scallions for garnish, optional
- Rice for serving, optional
Instructions
Instructions
- Whisk together soy sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, brown sugar, and black pepper in a bowl until smooth.
- Place cubed chicken into the pressure cooker. Pour sauce over chicken and stir to coat.
- Add diced red bell pepper and pineapple chunks with juice. Stir everything to combine.
- Seal lid and cook on pressure mode for 240 minutes (4 hours) on low or 120 minutes (2 hours) on high if you prefer faster cook time.
- After cooking, release pressure, stir the mixture, optionally garnish with scallions and serve over rice.



