If you’re anything like me, your calendar probably looks like a chaotic game of Tetris. Between my daughter’s after-school play rehearsals, my son’s sports schedule, my husband's unpredictable work hours, nannying my niece and nephew a few days a week, and our church commitments, the last thing I want to think about at 5:00 p.m. is dinner.
Add in our 2025 goal of paying off debt and cutting down on takeout, and suddenly home-cooked meals have become a must, not a luxury. With inflation making restaurant prices soar, meal prepping has become one of the smartest strategies for saving money and staying sane.
Enter: this super simple, sweet-and-savory Crockpot Pineapple Chicken. It’s one of my go-to freezer dump meals that takes maybe 10 minutes of prep time, and I almost always have the ingredients on hand—especially when my husband impulse-buys multiple pineapples because they were "on sale." (Guess who ends up cutting them up?)
Crockpot Pineapple Chicken
Why You’ll Love This Pineapple Chicken Recipe
This recipe is perfect for busy parents who need:
- Quick prep (under 10 minutes)
- Minimal dishes (just one cutting board and your slow cooker!)
- Kid-friendly flavors (pineapple + a little sweetness = no complaints)
- Freezer-friendly options for later
- Healthy dinner made with lean chicken breast and real fruit
- It’s a great way to stretch your grocery budget and keep your family fed with real, home-cooked food—even on the busiest days.
Ingredients
Here's what you need for one batch of Crockpot Pineapple Chicken:
- 1-pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks (canned works in a pinch!)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: sesame seeds and chopped green onion for garnish
👩👧👦 Parenting Tip: Let your little ones help with this recipe! My son loves measuring out the sauce ingredients, and my daughter is always eager to sprinkle the sesame seeds.
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Instructions
1. Dump everything into your slow cooker. Yes, it’s truly a dump-and-go meal! Stir gently to coat the chicken evenly.
2. Cook on LOW for 3–4 hours, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.
3. Serve hot over rice, noodles, quinoa, or all by itself. Garnish with sesame seeds or green onion if you’re feeling fancy.
How to Freeze It (Freezer Meal Instructions)
Want to make dinner prep even easier for a future you? This is a great recipe to double or triple. Here’s how:
1. Add all uncooked ingredients into a labeled, freezer-safe Ziploc bag.
2. Remove excess air, seal, and freeze flat.
3. When ready to cook, thaw overnight in the refrigerator or in a bowl of cold water for 30–60 minutes before dumping into the slow cooker.
👩🍳 Batch Cooking Bonus: I often make three batches—one for tonight, one for the freezer, and one to gift. When my sister-in-law was under the weather recently, I dropped off a bag of this, plus White Chicken Chili and Homemade Macaroni & Cheese. She said it made a stressful week so much easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned pineapple instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Just make sure it’s packed in juice, not syrup, and drain it well.
Can I make this in the Instant Pot?
Yes! Cook on high pressure for 7 minutes with a quick release. If you prefer a thicker sauce, turn on sauté after pressure cooking and stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water) until thickened.
Can I substitute the chicken for something else?
You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs, pork loin, or even tofu for a vegetarian version. Just adjust cook time accordingly.
Final Thoughts: Dinner Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
As a busy mom, I’ve learned that easy doesn’t mean lazy—it means smart. It means choosing meals that nourish your family without depleting your energy, time, or wallet. This Crockpot Pineapple Chicken checks all those boxes. Plus, it’s sweet, savory, and satisfying for picky eaters and grown-ups alike.
Let me know in the comments how your family liked it—and if you make a freezer stash for later! 💛
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We love easy crock pot dump meals at this house.
ReplyDeleteMY MOM LIKED PINEAPPLE, SO SHE WOULD LIKE THIS RECIPE.
ReplyDeleteIsn't that too much sesame oil
ReplyDeleteNo way there should be 1/4 cup of sesame oil! I would guess it's really supposed to be a vinegar-- probably rice wine vinegar... anyone try it with so much sesame oil?? Too expensive and overwhelming flavor + greasy like it's written imo without actually trying it that way
Delete