My Hawaiian neighbor brought this dish over, and we devoured it!

 Inspired by a neighbor’s generosity, this tender, sweet-and-savory chicken is slow-cooked with juicy pineapple, salty soy, and rich macadamia nuts. An effortless crowd-pleaser that brings island flavor right to your table.

Serves: 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3–4 hours (High) or 6–7 hours (Low)

Ingredients

• 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2–2½ lbs)

• 1 (20 oz) can pineapple chunks or tidbits, juice reserved

• ½ cup pineapple nectar or reserved pineapple juice

• ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce

• ¼ cup honey

• 1 teaspoon minced garlic

• 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger (or ½ tsp ground ginger)

• 1 cup roasted macadamia nuts

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• Optional garnish: chopped fresh cilantro or green onion

Instructions

1. Season & Layer:

• Season chicken breasts generously on both sides with salt and pepper.

• Arrange chicken in a single layer at the bottom of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker.

2. Make the Sauce:

• Drain the can of pineapple, reserving the juice if needed.

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the pineapple nectar (or ½ cup reserved juice), soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger until smooth.

3. Assemble:

• Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken.

• Scatter the drained pineapple chunks and macadamia nuts around and over the chicken.

4. Cook:

• Cover and cook on High for 3–4 hours or on Low for 6–7 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.

5. Serve:

• Carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker. Let rest for 5 minutes.

• Serve whole or sliced, spooning the pineapple, nuts, and sauce over the top.

• Garnish with fresh cilantro or green onion, if desired.

Chef’s Notes

• For Deeper Flavor: Sear the seasoned chicken in a hot skillet for 2–3 minutes per side until golden before adding to the slow cooker.

• Spice It Up: Add ½–1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the sauce.

• Nut Swap: Macadamia nuts can be replaced with cashews or sliced almonds.

• Serving Suggestions: Perfect over steamed rice, coconut rice, or quinoa. Pairs beautifully with a simple side of steamed broccoli or a crisp green salad.

• Make Ahead & Scaling: This recipe doubles easily for a crowd or meal prep. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Enjoy the taste of the islands with minimal effort!