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Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken Sliders

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By Sarah Olson

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Mar 08, 2024Updated May 13, 2025

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If you’re a fan of BBQ chicken sliders and love the convenience of using a crockpot, you’re in for a treat with these Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken Sliders. This easy and delicious recipe is perfect for busy days when you want a tasty meal without the fuss.

Use your extra pineapples to make other Hawaiian-inspired dishes like my Hawaiian Slow Cooker Chicken and Slow Cooker Hawaiian Baked Beans.

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This Hawaiian barbecue chicken slider recipe is not only a crowd-pleaser but also a relatively healthier option. With skinless chicken breasts and a balanced mix of flavors, you can enjoy the deliciousness without compromising on a diet. The beauty of using a crockpot is that it allows the chicken to slow cook to perfection, resulting in a tender and juicy texture that’s hard to resist. The combination of sweet pineapple and savory BBQ sauce, along with the hint of Hawaiian rolls, makes this recipe a winner for any occasion.

Keep reading to learn how to create these irresistible Hawaiian-inspired sliders using boneless skinless chicken breasts, and a medley of other flavors that will transport your taste buds to the tropical paradise of Hawaii. Looking for a version without pineapple? Try our Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sliders.

Recipe Ingredients

Here is all you need for this simple dish. Find the full recipe amounts in the recipe card below the images.

• BBQ sauce: Used to create the delicious barbecue base for the sliders.
• Chunky Salsa: Adds a unique twang and flavor to the dish.
• Bell Peppers: Red bell pepper and yellow bell pepper are used for both color and taste for the homemade sauce.
• Red Pepper Flakes: The perfect amount is used to add a slight kick without being too hot.
• Pineapple Chunks: You’ll want to use can of small pineapple chunks (drained), also known as tidbits.
• Chicken: Boneless skinless chicken breasts are the best cut of meat to use in this delicious recipe. It cooks and shreds nicely. We use the same cut of chicken in our shredded Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches.
• Kings Hawaiian Slider Rolls: Not only are these the perfect size, but the sweetness of the rolls adds an additional flavor to the mini sandwiches.
• Butter Sauce: This sauce is made with melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard.
• Poppy Seeds: Used as a garnish just before baking and serving.

How to Make Hawaiian Chicken Sliders in the Crockpot

Step One – Make the sauce. Mix the BBQ sauce, salsa, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, red pepper flakes, and pineapple together in the basin of a 6-8 quart crockpot until well combined.

Step Two – Add the chicken and stir to coat with the sauce.

Step Three – Cover and cook chicken on LOW for 4 hours or HIGH for 2 hours.

Step Four – Using 2 forks or a meat shredding tool, shred each chicken breast inside of the slow cooker.

Step Five – Stir to incorporate it with the sauce.

Step Six – Slice your slider rolls to divide top from bottoms while keeping them each connected if possible. Place the bottoms in your dish and create a layer of shredded chicken.

Step Seven – Fill the bottoms of the sliders with the shredded chicken meat mixture.

Step Eight – Then Place the slider tops over the chicken. Brush or drizzle the homemade butter sauce over your slider tops until each slider has a light coating.

Step Nine – Sprinkle with poppy seeds. Place your sliders uncovered into the preheated oven for about 10 minutes or until the tops of your slider rolls are golden brown. Once your sliders are ready, cut them from the dish and serve. Enjoy!

How to Serve

• These sliders can be served as is or add a twist by topping them with a generous portion of coleslaw mix for a crunchy contrast. Drizzle more BBQ sauce over the sliders for added flavor.
• When it comes to side dishes, consider serving these sliders alongside pineapple mango salsa, Asian slaw, or a generous helping of french fries. Also, these go great with my Hawaiian Baked Beans.
• If you’re serving a crowd, consider serving them on a platter with a variety of dipping sauces.

Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken Sliders

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 6 hours hrs

Total Time: 6 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Servings: 12

By: Sarah Olson

All you need are just a few ingredients to whip up these delicious Hawaiian Chicken Sliders – perfect for dinner and game day.

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Equipment

• Slow Cooker- 6 quart or larger (I own and use this one from Crock-Pot)

Ingredients 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 2 cups BBQ sauce
• ▢ ½ cup chunky salsa
• ▢ ¼ red bell pepper, diced
• ▢ ¼ yellow bell pepper, diced
• ▢ ½ tablespoon red pepper flakes
• ▢ 1 cup small pineapple chunks, drained (canned pineapple “tidbits” work great)
• ▢ 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 3 large breasts
• ▢ 12 pack of Kings Hawaiian Slider rolls
• ▢ ¼ cup melted butter
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ▢ ½ tablespoon poppy seeds

Instructions 

• Make the sauce. Mix the BBQ sauce, salsa, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, red pepper flakes, and pineapple together in the basin of a 6-8 quart crockpot until well combined.
• Add the chicken. Add the chicken and stir to coat with the sauce.
• Cook. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours. Make sure the chicken's internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees F before removing it from the crockpot.
• Shred. Using 2 forks or a meat shredding tool, shred each chicken breast inside of the slow cooker and then stir to incorporate it with the sauce.
• Preheat your Oven. To 375 degrees F and spray a 8×12 deep-sided baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
• Make Sliders. Slice your slider rolls to divide top from bottoms while keeping them each connected if possible. Place the bottoms in your dish and create a layer of shredded chicken. Then Place the slider tops over the chicken.
• Butter them Up. In a small dish combine your melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard. Brush or drizzle this butter sauce over your slider tops until each slider has a light coating. Do not pour the whole bowl over the sliders, you may have extra. Sprinkle with poppy seeds.
• Bake. Place your sliders uncovered into the preheated oven for about 10 minutes or until the tops of your slider rolls are golden brown. This may take more or less time depending on your oven efficiency.
• Serve. Once your sliders are ready, cut them from the dish and serve.

Sarah’s Notes

What is another variation I can make?

You could also make this delicious chicken dish in the oven. Arrange the chicken in a single layer in a baking dish, mix the sauce in a separate bowl and pour it over the chicken. Cover with aluminum foil, and bake at 400 for 30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.

Do I have to use store-bought BBQ sauce or can I make my own?

You can absolutely make your own BBQ sauce. It’s a great way to make sure you get the seasoning just the way you like it. Same goes for the salsa, you do not have to use store bought!

Can I make this ahead of time and freeze it?

You can. Mix together the sauce and the uncooked chicken in a freezer bag and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you are ready to enjoy, allow it to thaw in the fridge before cooking it in the slow cooker just as you normally would.

Does it have to be shredded?

Nope! You can use cubed chicken instead of whole breasts and add the cubed chicken to the slider rolls just the same as you would shredded. You could also leave the chicken whole and lay them side by side on the slider rolls, when you cut the slider rolls, just cut through the chicken as well.

What should I top my sandwich with?

The sky is the limit and it really depends on your taste preferences, but coleslaw is probably the most popular choice. A pineapple ring and/or extra BBQ sauce would also be great. Cheese is always an option as well!

Nutrition

Calories: 309kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 59mg | Sodium: 697mg | Potassium: 468mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 492IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

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