Avocado Pesto

  • Recipes
    • Vegetarian
    • Dairy Free
    • Gluten Free
    • Vegan
  • About
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Work With Me

Socials

Home » Spicy Mexican Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken {GF, DF}

Spicy Mexican Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken {GF, DF}

Last Updated on April 12, 2019 By Vicky 24 Comments

Print Recipe Jump to Recipe
slow cooker pineapple chicken pin

Slow cooker pineapple chicken requiring only six key ingredients and a handful of spices. The perfect balance of sweet and spicy all at once with tender shredded chicken and hearty black beans. Gluten Free and Dairy Free too. one pot slow cooker pineapple chickenI have a confession to make. This is my first slow cooker recipe on the blog. And not just that. This is the first time I have ever used a slow cooker.

Somehow in all my years of cooking I never purchased one or found one to use anywhere. I pretty much always stuck to the good old stove and oven.

But now that D and I have started a new house sitting assignment in Costa Rica, the house happens to have a slow cooker!!

Cue my excitement and fireworks going off in me head. I mean a new kitchen gadget to play around with? Dream come true right here.

And this house also has a blender, ice cream maker, and food processor (cue lots of pesto making). Are you jumping up and down with joy too?

I love having a fully equipped kitchen. It seriously makes my day. Now if only the house had A/C and the dog didn’t need to be fed at 5:30 every morning I’d have no complaints at all.

Back to the slow cooker. So for the few of you not familiar with this cooking vessel, it works this way. You plop a bunch of ingredients into the large bowl like structure. Put it on the slow cooker, set the high or low heat setting, set the time, put the lid on and walk away.

Four to seven hours later your full one pot meal is ready and waiting for you.

I mean talk about fuss free cooking with minimal clean up. One big pot that cooks everything together. You could literally put this on low overnight and wake up with lunch and dinner ready. I can totally see the appeal. Especially for busy working professionals, families, anyone really. This is perfect for tough cuts of meats, shredded chicken, curries, vegetarian or vegan based soups. I mean I can see endless possibilities here.

Can you tell I’m excited? For my first recipe I wanted shredded chicken. With a Mexican flair and a bit of a contrast between sweet and spicy flavors.

slow cooker pineapple chicken served over rice

Meet spicy Mexican slow cooker pineapple chicken. The couple we are house sitting for casually mentioned that they have a bunch of frozen pineapple in their freezer from all the pineapple trees on their property and that we were welcome to as much as we pleased.

I mean how awesome is it to have pineapple growing in your backyard? The season is now over, so to keep it from spoiling they freeze the remainder. Perfect for smoothies (like this awesome pina colada smoothie) or for a spicy Mexican slow cooker pineapple chicken dish as it turns out.

This slow cooker pineapple chicken recipe has six key ingredients and a medley of spices (which you can substitute for what you have on hand). The star ingredients are chicken breasts, fresh pineapple, black beans, diced tomatoes, honey and diced green chilis. That’s it.

For spices I used salt, smoked paprika (my fave), garlic powder, onion powder and chipotle powder. I tossed everything together, set it on high and let everything cook for 4 hours. Then I removed the chicken, shredded it with two forks, tossed back into the slow cooked, gave everything a stir and let that cook for another 20-30 minutes.

This slow cooker pineapple chicken recipe required practically zero prep time and really just asks for a bit of patience for everything to cook. Other than that you are completely free to leave the kitchen and enjoy your day.

Pretty perfect if you ask me.

The final result? A spicy sweet tender shredded chicken dish with hearts black beans, spicy chilis, and soft and fruity pineapple. This spicy Mexican slow cooker pineapple chicken is perfect when served over rice with a sprinkling of lime zest, a squeeze of lime juice and a few sprays of hot sauce.

Big bite of slow cooker pineapple chicken

Love Mexican or Central/South American cuisine? Then you’re going to love these recipes:

  • Mexican Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps {GF, DF}
  • Turkey Taco Bowl with Avocado Crema {GF, DF}
  • Gluten Free Quesadillas with Chicken {GF}
  • Peruvian Chicken Stir Fry – Chicken Lomo Saltado {GF, DF}

How to make slow cooker pineapple chicken

4.17 from 12 votes
slow cooker pineapple chicken
Print
Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken {GF, DF}
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
4 hrs 30 mins
Total Time
4 hrs 40 mins
 

Only six key ingredients and a handful of spices required for this one pot low fuss slow cooker pineapple chicken. The perfect balance of sweet and spicy all at once with tender shredded chicken and hearty black beans. Gluten Free and Dairy Free too.

Course: Dinner
Cuisine: gluten free, Healthy, Mexican
Servings: 5
Calories: 405 kcal
Author: Vicky Berman
Ingredients
  • 3 chicken breasts 2-3 pounds
  • 3 cups diced pineapple fresh
  • 1 15 ounce can black beans
  • 1 15 ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 4 ounce can diced green chilis
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon chipotle powder
  • 3 tablespoon honey
  • 1 cup rice cooked according to package directions (for serving)
  • lime juice lime zest, hot sauce for garnish
Instructions
  1. To a slow cooker add chicken, pineapple, black beans, diced tomatoes, salt, paprika, green chilis, garlic powder, onion powder, chipotle powder, and honey.
  2. Cover with lid, set of high for 4 hours.
  3. Remove chicken, shred with two forks, place back into the slow cooker and cook for additional 30 minutes.
  4. Serve over rice with lime zest, juice and additional hot sauce (optional)
Recipe Notes

Recipe Adapted from Carlsbad Cravings

Nutrition Facts
Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken {GF, DF}
Amount Per Serving
Calories 405 Calories from Fat 18
% Daily Value*
Fat 2g3%
Cholesterol 43mg14%
Sodium 1042mg45%
Potassium 886mg25%
Carbohydrates 73g24%
Fiber 9g38%
Sugar 22g24%
Protein 24g48%
Vitamin A 675IU14%
Vitamin C 59mg72%
Calcium 90mg9%
Iron 3.7mg21%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

After Post

Get Healthy Recipes Sent To Your Inbox

authorbio

How would you like to have a meal plan sent to you every Sunday to help you plan out the week and stay healthy?

And add me on social media!

« BLT Summer Roll Recipe with Avocado {GF, DF, Paleo}
No Cook Vegan Low FODMAP Tomato Soup {Gluten-Free} »

Comments

  1. Samantha says

    November 12, 2015 at 10:21 am

    I was looking for slow cooker recipes! Great!

    Reply
    • Vicky says

      November 12, 2015 at 2:08 pm

      Perfect timing then for me to sharing my very first slow cooker recipe!

      Reply
  2. Angie says

    November 12, 2015 at 12:13 pm

    5 stars
    That looks sooooo good.

    Reply
    • Vicky says

      November 12, 2015 at 2:08 pm

      Thanks Angie!

      Reply
  3. Ros Emely@stressfreemommies says

    November 12, 2015 at 12:45 pm

    Yum! This delicious Mexican pineapple chicken is something I would definitely make. I love the sweet and savory combination of pinapple and chicken.

    Reply
    • Vicky says

      November 12, 2015 at 2:09 pm

      Thanks! The sweet and savory combination is just perfect. Pineapple adds such a nice contrast in flavor – I don’t know why I don’t add it more often to savory dishes!

      Reply
  4. Libby says

    November 12, 2015 at 4:42 pm

    This looks so tasty! I love having crockpot meals to throw in on a weeknight and be able to have dinner ready whenever it works best for us later! I will definitely be adding this one to the list of must trys!

    Reply
    • Vicky says

      November 13, 2015 at 11:11 am

      I am now a new fan of crock pot meals! So perfect for busy nights!!

      Reply
  5. TTiffany Austin says

    November 12, 2015 at 7:43 pm

    This looks super yummy! And so easy as well!

    Reply
    • Vicky says

      November 13, 2015 at 11:11 am

      Thanks!

      Reply
  6. Aida@TheCraftingFoodie says

    November 12, 2015 at 9:38 pm

    THIS LOOKS DELICIOUS! I’VE NEVER USED A SLOW COOKER EITHER, AND I KEEP TELLING MYSELF I NEED TO START. THIS MAY BE THE RECIPE THAT GETS ME TO FINALLY GET ONE 🙂

    Reply
    • Vicky says

      November 13, 2015 at 11:11 am

      Yes you definitely need to start!! Having tried one now for the first time I love it!!

      Reply
  7. The Southern Thing says

    November 12, 2015 at 10:29 pm

    I love slow cooker recipes! I’ll have to try this one!

    Reply
    • Vicky says

      November 13, 2015 at 11:12 am

      Aren’t they the best?!

      Reply
  8. Scott says

    November 15, 2015 at 6:09 pm

    5 stars
    Avocado Pesto,

    We are making this tonight…going spicy and love cooking in our crock pot, usually cook in it at least 3 or 4 times a month – year round. House is going to smell like a Mexican Cantina…now to run out and get the iced cold Coronas…!!! 🙂

    Reply
    • Vicky says

      November 16, 2015 at 3:13 pm

      Hope you enjoyed the recipe Scott! Haha yes ice cold Coronas are the perfect accompaniment!

      Reply
  9. Rachel says

    November 17, 2015 at 9:22 pm

    5 stars
    I need this in my life, STAT!

    Reply
    • Vicky says

      November 18, 2015 at 8:47 am

      HAHA : )

      Reply
  10. linda says

    November 19, 2015 at 12:27 pm

    I assume these are boneless breasts? How would you adjust for chicken on the bone?

    Reply
    • Vicky says

      November 20, 2015 at 3:28 pm

      Yes these are boneless breasts. Honestly I do not think you need to adjust the recipe for chicken on the bone. Cook the same way – I only had chicken breasts on hand so that is what I used but I think this recipe would be even better with chicken thighs – even more tender and flavorful. If the pieces of chicken are large than a chicken breast then I would increase the cooking time, but by no more than 30-60 minutes. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  11. Ruth says

    February 4, 2016 at 11:21 am

    Do I need to brown the chicken first before placing in the slow cooker? Thanks.

    Reply
    • Vicky says

      February 10, 2016 at 11:47 am

      No, no need to cook the chicken at all. Just add the raw chicken with the other ingredients.

      Reply
  12. Amy says

    October 10, 2020 at 9:47 am

    Definitely adding this to my weekly rotation, it was so good!

    Reply
    • Vicky says

      October 11, 2020 at 2:03 pm

      So happy to hear you enjoyed my recipe!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Featured and Popular

Quick Mexican Tuna Salad & Avocado Bowl Recipe {GF, DF}

Thai Veggie Quinoa Bowls {Gluten-Free, Vegan}

Raw Vegan Collard Wraps Recipe

Hi, I’m Vicky!

VICKY

About Avocado Pesto

I love to create unique, healthy recipes for people who want to maintain a variety of diets, like Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegan, Vegetarian, etc. Read more about how I can help you plan your meals!

Check out these other delicious recipes from my blog!

Chilean sea bass FG_
Chickpea Flatbread
roasted potato wedges
Avocado Chickpea Salad with vegan pesto makes for the perfect lunch recipe that is ready in minutes. Super simple 5 ingredient recipe packed full of flavor and protein. Lunch or grill day appetizers don't get easier than this!
Roasted Cauliflower Soup with Garlic - Gluten Free and Vegan
This Caribbean Fish Curry recipe is a one pot meal ready in 30 minutes that is a creamy blend of coconut milk, tomatoes, curry spices and tender red snapper. Both Gluten Free and Dairy Free.
Vegan Quinoa Power Bowls with Roasted Veggies and Avocado Sauce Gluten-Free
Vegan-Creamy-Pumpkin-Pasta-with-Sage-Recipe
Quinoa Black Bean Pumpkin Soup Recipe
Sweet Potato and Chickpea Salad Recipe
Tofu burger recipe made with sweet potatoes is the perfect healthy summer vegan lunch. Soft, and tender on the inside while lightly crispy on the outside, and full of flavor. Gluten-Free too. |avocadopesto.com
Lemon Rice makes for the perfect healthy side dish. With a flair of Indian flavors this lemon rice is made with turmeric, ginger, chili, lemon and Indian spices. Gluten Free and Vegan | avocadopesto.com
Baked pork chops make for the easiest 4 ingredient dinner ever. A classic family recipe passed down from my grandmother and the only way I ever make pork chops. Gluten Free too. You only need pork chops, onions, mayo and sharp cheddar (regular or vegan, for a dairy free recipe).
  • Dairy Free
    • Dairy Free Breakfast
    • Dairy Free Lunch
    • Dairy Free Dinner
    • Dairy Free Dessert
  • Gluten Free
    • Gluten Free Breakfast
    • Gluten Free Lunch
    • Gluten Free Dinner
    • Gluten Free Dessert
  • Recipe Index
    • Recipe Search
  • Vegan
    • Vegan Breakfast
    • Vegan Lunch
    • Vegan Dinner
    • Vegan Dessert
  • Vegetarian
    • Vegetarian Breakfast
    • Vegetarian Lunch
    • Vegetarian Dinner
    • Vegetarian Dessert
  • About Me
    • About Me
    • Contact
    • Press
    • Work With Me
  • Shop
  • Privacy Policy
  • 30 mins or less

Copyright © 2023

560 shares
  • 14