Set your slow cooker and when you come home you’ll be taking a trip to the tropics. Slow Cooker Macadamia Pineapple Chicken is the perfect balance of sweet and savory with a tropical flare. A delicious and easy gluten-free paleo dinner recipe.
I always tend to post “tropical-themed” recipes during the winter, intentionally. Yes, the winter is a time for comforting hearty stews and casseroles, but this time of year is also a time to give our taste buds a little tropical getaway when the winter blues set in. The doesn’t mean we have to drink ice cold smoothies or raw salads; we can still make a hot and hearty meal, just with a little more zing. And maybe the best part about all this…you get to use the slow cooker!
It really is getting colder now and going outside to the grill isn’t very inviting. Even though slow cookers probably aren’t being used much in a tropical paradise (people are just sipping martinis and daiquiris pool-side), there’s no reason to keep the flavors away. Pineapple is always the first “tropical” element and flavor to come to mind. Nothing says paradise and relaxation more, than a ripe juicy pineapple. Piná coladas, anyone? And when it comes to nuts, I’m pretty sure the #1 “tropical” nut would be the macadamia nut. Am I right? From the coasts of Australia to the shores of the Hawaiian islands, mac nuts are a decadent paradise indulgence.
I still remember the first time I ever had a macadamia nut. My mom brought home a small jar of salted mac nuts and she let my bother and I try one. They were so lovely, silky, and creamy! Too bad they were rather expensive and she didn’t want my brother and I to eat them all on her. So she tucked them away in the pantry thinking we wouldn’t find them. Well, I don’t know about my brother, but I went on the hunt for them when my mom wasn’t around. I remember sneaking one of two at a time, hoping she wouldn’t notice. From then on, I always looked for mac nuts in the grocery, hoping to find them on sale and in a much bigger jar than the one my mom had gotten.
They are definitely not a nut I have often, if ever, but lucky for you and me, this recipe doesn’t include expensive whole macadamia nuts, but mac milk! If you remember over the summer I shared my Golden Kiwi Muffin recipe using mac milk, and I said I had another fabulous recipe using it. Well, here it is, ready to take you on another tropical trip! The silky creaminess of mac milk and pop of pineapple is another fantastic savory/sweet slow cooker favorite of mine.
I know you all love these easy dump-and-go savory/sweet chicken recipes. This one is bound to be a new favorite as well. It emanates a sweet light pineapple smell from the slow cooker, but you can also smell the slight creaminess. That’s hard to explain until you make it yourself, but you can just smell the creaminess that the mac milk brings to the chicken.
You can order mac milk right from Amazon or you can find it in select stores, but if for some sad reason you can’t have macadamia nuts or just can’t wait, coconut milk may not be a bad substitute! You could even make your own mac milk if you have macadamia nuts, but if you have macadamia nuts just sitting in the house…bless you!
Slow Cooker Macadamia Pineapple Chicken
- 4 Skinless Chicken Breasts
- 20oz (2½ Cups) Crushed Pineapple
- 1 Cup Unsweetened Macadamia Milk
- 1 Tsp Dried Cilantro (or 1 TB chopped, fresh)
- ½ Tsp Ground Ginger
- ½ Tsp Onion Powder
- ½ Tsp Minced Garlic
- Chopped Scallion (topping, optional)
- In a large slow cooker layer in the chicken and then pour in the rest of the ingredients over top, except the optional chopped scallion, and give everything a stir.
- Set on low and cook for 6-7 hours until chicken is thoroughly cooked.
- Serve with chopped scallion if desired.
Tropical, slow-cooked, luscious chicken, anyone? Serve it with some rice and a nice salad and you’ll be “mmm-ing” in your imaginary tropical paradise after a long day of work! No more winter blues when you combine pineapple and macadamia together! Think of the slow cooker as your personal, all inclusive resort, room service 😉 It works, right?
So tell me:
+ What’s your favorite meal to make when the winter blues hit you?
+ What’s the first food you think of when you hear the word, “paradise”?
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Hey friends! I’m Rebecca a healthy gluten-free & allergy-friendly food blogger, Celiac advocate, yogi, and college student! 
Love macadamia nuts! I bet this is delicious!
They’re great! Thanks Lauren!
I love the idea of using tropical flavors in the wintertime — And this chicken sounds delightful.
I’m all about the tropical SUMMER flavors right now!
I am currently doing a Whole30 and this recipe will be welcome in my kitchen anytime! I need a trip to paradise while it’s cold and something different to eat that is nor a salad!
Jennifer A Stewart recently posted…Nacho Chili Sliders with Chili and Cheese
This will definitely be a great change up for the palate 😉
What great flavors! And so funny that you mentioned the price of macademia nuts – that’s what has kept me from experimenting with them. But now that I have a sure fire recipe … 🙂
Laura @MotherWouldKnow recently posted…Should You Refrigerate Hot Sauce After Opening?
Yes! This is worth it…and cheaper 😉
I make a variation of this but yours looks amazing!!! Putting this on next weeks menu!
Gwen @SimplyHealthyFamily recently posted…Lentil Puttanesca with Sun Dried Tomato Polenta
Thanks Gwen!
Ooh, I need more slow cooker recipes!! It’s hard for me to believe how young you are as you’re so adventurous with flavors Rebecca!
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free recently posted…Cream Biscuits and Gravy: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free & Sneaky!
I was eating the spiciest foods, brussels sprouts, you name it since I was a wee little one!
This looks amazing! I don’t use macadamia nuts often enough.
Marye recently posted…Mudhen Meat and Greens Is Open at Farmers Market
Nor do I, haha! But they are so fantastic!
What a great recipe with so interesting flavors! And I sure need som tropical-something right now looking out on snow and -20 degrees!
Exactly!!! I need everything tropical!
This looks delicious! I’m a sucker for a good slow cooker meal.
We all are! Thanks Marie!
This looks like a wonderful recipe for guests or just a regular dinner at home.
Sandy Sandmeyer recently posted…Friday Review Mash Up #13
Yes, it is!
This looks so light and yummy.
Thanks Emily!
This sounds so good! I love that flavor combo.
It’s fantastic!
Great recipe! Looks delicious!
Thanks!
Wow this looks and SOUNDS delicious!! I love macadamia nuts too, but I’ve never tried macadamia nut milk before! I must find it! haha Thanks for the inspiration for something new!
It’s so sweet and creamy! It’s a fantastic nut milk!
This recipe looks so delicious!
Anita recently posted…How to Make Glitter Vases
Thank you!
Yet another recipe persuading me to bite the bullet and get a slow cooker – this looks delicious and quite easy to do! I’ve not tried Macadamia milk but I’ll see if I can find it in my local stores! Great post!
Crazy that you don’t have one!
I scheduled your post to share on my FB 🙂
Thanks!
I love that you’re slow cooker crazy too. I’m obsessed.
Macadamia milk sounds fantastic. I’m not sure I’ve seen it, but I bet I can find it now that I know to look! Have you had cashew milk? I bet that would work well in here too.
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted…Slow Cooker Sweet Potato and Chicken in Red Wine [Recipe]
Yes, of course I have! But definitely not the tropical vibe!
I adore pineapple, this looks like a great January pick me up recipe!
Wendy @ Wholistic Woman recently posted…These Tools Make Meal Planning A Breeze
That’s exactly what it is!
I wish I was somewhere tropical! I hate Winter…this looks Yummy!
Elaine recently posted…Chicken Pesto Pizza with Bacon and Mushrooms!
Same 😛
I really must try this. Always looking for new slow cooker recipes
Please do! Gotta share the slow cooker love!
I love this! A cold weather version of a luau or chicken and pineapple kabobs on the grill! And I can use my crockpot???? Win all the way around. I think I need to find myself an umbrella for my beverage, with the scents of an island paradise from the chicken I might be able to fool myself into believing it’s not really winter out there! LOL
Nikki Frank-Hamilton recently posted…Weekly Happiness Wrap Up!!
Haha, yes! This would be a perfect meal with a cocktail umbrella drink!
I’m totally with you on the tropical flavors in the winter time! I used to buy mangoes during the winter when I lived int he States and would get depressed waiting for summer… now, living in the tropics, I love the stews and casseroles and baked apple cinnamon smells and flavors– trick myself into believing it’s actually winter!
This looks delicious– and I love slow cooker recipes! Pinning for later 🙂
My grocery is so good with the mangos! $1 so I stock up every week! I feel like they’re better quality in the winter too…weird!
Thank you! xoxo
oh my goodness, yes please. Thank you for sharing!
Haha, thanks!
We would just love your Macadamia Pineapple Chicken!
Miz Helen recently posted…Texas Star Chili Cook Off 2016
I bet!
Sounds amazing and I love slow cooker recipes!
We all do!
What a fun twist on chicken! Yum
Easy Peasy Life Matters recently posted…Winter Panini
Thank you!
That is one awesome looking recipe. I am going to make that for sure. Thanks for the inspiration. I know what I am cooking tonight.
Kathleen recently posted…Bloggers Relationships |Important Ones
Exciting! Let me know how you like it, dear! 🙂
the first time I ever had a macadamia nut was a chocolate covered one from hawaii haha. So good!!
Jess @hellotofit recently posted…5 Ingredient Garlic Naan Pizza
Well now that’s a given 😉 Ultimate bliss!
Yay for tropical themes, and oh em gee, this recipe amplifies my want to go to Hawai’i, haha. *-* I love that you can make this in a slow cooker! I’ll have to try it out when I’m back in WV (my slow cooker’s chillin’ over there right now ._.)!
Post-medial school celebration vacation plans? 😉 (But take me with you!)
Pineapple and macadamia nut!? Sign me up!
Tara | Treble in the Kitchen recently posted…Five Things Friday 1.8.2016
Heck yes!
Hi Rebecca,
I love chicken and pineapple so this recipe sounds fabulous.
Marla recently posted…Real Food Fridays #121 – Be Healthy for 2016
Fantastic!!! Must make!
I am so making this. OMG does it look good. I’ve also pinned and stumbled it because wow 🙂
OneDizzyBee recently posted…The Liebster Award Lands at OneDizzyBee!
Fantastic!!! Let me know how it comes out!
I definitely think of pineapple when I think about paradise. This looks delicious! Yum!
One of the best tropical picks I’d say!
I love tropical dishes in the winter, it makes it feel like it’s not 9 degrees outside haha.
Sharon @ What The Fork Food Blog recently posted…Easy Avocado Truffles
Exactly 😉 Hahaha! Much better!
I’m obsessed with the slow cooker. Thank you for giving me another great recipe to add to my collection! Keep them coming!
Elle @ Only Taste Matters recently posted…Top Ten Recipes of 2015
I’ve got tons of slow cooker recipes up my sleeve! Thanks Elle!
Never heard of mac milk! But I do love macadamia nuts! Sounds great!
Then you’ll love it!!
I love pineapple and chicken together. Great idea!
Megan recently posted…Spanish Rice (GF, DF, Soy, Peanut/Tree Nut Free, Top 8 Free, Vegan Option)
It’s fantastic! Thanks Megan!
This looks delish, my boys love anything w pineapple, pinning!
Katie recently posted…Blogger Recognition Award
Fantastic! They will love this!
I so need a slow cooker. But seeing as I only just got my spiralizer for Christmas, I think I’d be pushing it! 🙂
Chicken and pineapple now that’s a combination I’d love to try.
This looks delicious! 🙂
neil@neilshealthymeals.com recently posted…Mediterranean Vegetable Casserole
You got a spiralizer before a slow cooker!? You are skipping foodie stepping stones! Hahaha!
Sweet and savory all the way my friend!
Anything crockpot and pineapple and I’m sold. This looks delicious!
Thank you Diana!
This just sounds so divine with the macadamia milk. Those were one of my favorite nuts of all time. This meal would please just about anyone!
Laura @PetiteAllergyTreats recently posted…Orange Blueberry Cranberry Smoothie
They are some fantastic little gems!! Thank you so much Laura xoxo
I purchased a slow cooker last month and made a killer beef stew, this looks like a great recipe to try. I love pineapple but I’ve never had pineapple chicken, I guess there is a first time for everything. 🙂
Mary recently posted…What’s In Season January
Time to get slow cooker crazy!!!! Sweet savory chicken recipes are my favorite! Chicken just goes so well with fruits!
i seriously need to get a slow cooker! This looks and sounds delicious 😀
Nadia’s Healthy Kitchen recently posted…Best Healthy Places to Eat in Manchester
You don’t have a slow cooker!? :O
Pretty much anything with pineapple in it and I’m sold, but add macadamia- oh my! yes!
Agreed! Pineapple everything is fantastic!
You are really REALLY making me want to go to Hawaii right now! And the first food I think of would have to be coconut. Followed by pineapple. Followed by mango. All of the good things <3
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit recently posted…Fruit Frosted Chocolate Layer Cake
Coconut is a given and we can even say it spans both the nut and fruit category 😉 Mango yes, but since I eat them ALL the time I just feel like they are a normal NJ fruit for me…although they always say “product from Brazil or Mexico” so some sort 😛 Hahahahahaha!
Rebecca seriously this is a recipe I’m swooning over and I don’t even eat chicken! Dave is going to love it. And I’m the same with mac nuts.. they are seriously so good 🙂 pinning!!
Sam @ PancakeWarriors recently posted…Coconut Paleo Granola
Hahahahaha! Well I hope he loves 😉
Mac nuts were made for turning into milk too. I mean…just sooo creamy!
I’m all for tropical food basically whenever! Love the simplicity of this and also that it’s slow cooker – I need more slow cooker recipes and I’m not the most creative with them, so thanks!
Michele @ paleorunningmomma recently posted…Everything I Ate On January 2nd {Back to Reality}
Haha! I feel like you would be a big slow cooker person though! Get that bad boy our and whip up some goodness!
This sounds like an interesting combo – I love the idea of tropical dishes in winter – cheers me up!
Charlotte recently posted…The 12 Days Of Fitmas – Day 12
Exactly! I know I need them!
This looks amazing Rebecca! I love pineapple/chicken combo! And the fact that you can make it in a slow cooker is a huge win! Great recipe once again.
Slow cooker love!!! Makes any chicken recipe amazing! Thanks dear xoxo
Sounds intriguing!
Thanks! It’s tasty!