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Home » Slow Cooker

Crockpot Hawaiian Haystacks

Published: Feb 28, 2025 by Kristina Tipps · This post may contain affiliate links for which I earn a small commission.

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hawaiian haystack slow cooker recipe pinterest image
slow cooked hawaiian chicken with vegetable toppings in a white bowl

This easy Crockpot Hawaiian Haystack recipe is a dinner that the whole family is sure to love. It's customizable with your favorite toppings and is simple enough to make a laid back, yet delicious, weeknight dinner.

slow cooked hawaiian chicken with vegetable toppings in a white bowl
Table Of Contents
  • What Are Hawaiian Haystacks?
  • Ingredients
  • Step-By-Step Instructions
  • Chef's Tips
  • How To Store
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Recipe
  • Recipe Reviews

This simple recipe for Hawaiian haystacks in the slow cooker makes a creamy flavorful shredded chicken atop a bed of fluffy basmati rice layered with wholesome toppings, like pineapple chunks and crunchy noodles. It's one of my favorite crockpot meals, along with slow cooker pepper steak, crockpot Middle Eastern beef stew and loaded baked potato soup.

What Are Hawaiian Haystacks?

A Hawaiian Haystack is a layered dish that starts with a base of rice and is topped with a creamy chicken sauce (usually made from cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and shredded chicken). The dish is then customized with a variety of toppings, such as pineapple chunks, coconut flakes, crispy chow mein noodles, sliced olives, peas, green onions, tomatoes, and shredded cheese.

It’s a popular, customizable meal often served at gatherings or family dinners. Despite the name, it’s not actually a traditional Hawaiian dish—it's more of a Midwest favorite. The name likely comes from the pineapple topping, giving it a "Hawaiian" feel.

Why You'll Love Slow Cooker Hawaiian Haystacks

  • It makes an easy and wholesome family dinner with little hands on work and preparation, making it great for busy days.
  • The toppings are up to you- use what you love to make it guaranteed to be enjoyed by your family.
  • You can serve our Hawaiian chicken buffet style, so everyone chooses the toppings they like.
crockpot hawaiian haystack in a white bowl with toppings

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients needed to make this crockpot Hawaiian chicken recipe.

For the Chicken & Sauce

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cans (10.5 oz each) cream of chicken soup
  • ½ cup chicken broth (or water and 1 chicken bouillon cube)
  • 1 packet Italian dressing mix
  • 1 cup sour cream

To Serve

  • 4 cups cooked Basmati rice (see how to make perfect basmati rice in your pressure cooker)

Assorted Toppings

  • shredded cheddar cheese
  • chow mein noodles
  • sliced black olives
  • diced tomatoes
  • pineapple chunks
  • toasted coconut flakes
  • sliced green onions (scallions)
  • sliced almonds
  • peas
  • corn
  • mandarin orange slices
  • sliced mangos
  • diced bell peppers
hawaiian haystack ingredients

Step-By-Step Instructions

  1. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Arrange the chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker.
  2. Add cream of chicken soup, chicken broth and Italian dressing mix. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well combined. 
  3. Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Set to low heat and cook for 4–6 hours, or on high heat for 2–3 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender enough to shred easily. The chicken needs to reach at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit with a digital thermometer.
  4. Once cooked, use two forks to shred the chicken. Stir in the 1 cup of sour cream until fully incorporated.
  5. Set out all of the toppings buffet-style so everyone can customize their own haystack. To assemble your haystack bowl, place a scoop of cooked Basmati rice onto the plate and spoon the shredded chicken and creamy sauce over the rice. Add your desired toppings from the selection provided above to create your custom haystack.
hawaiian chicken plated and served with buffet style toppings

Chef's Tips


If the sauce is too thick after adding the sour cream, stir in additional chicken broth to reach the desired consistency. If it's too thin, let it cook uncovered on high for the last 15–30 minutes to thicken.

How To Store

Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze the chicken and sauce mixture for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

To reheat, warm leftover chicken and sauce in a saucepan over medium heat or in a microwave-safe dish until heated through, stirring occasionally.

Recipe FAQs

Can I Use Frozen Chicken?

No, it is not safe to use frozen chicken in slow cooker recipes. Always thaw the chicken first.

Can I Use A Different Rice?


Yes! Substitute basmati rice with brown rice, parboiled white rice, a wild rice blend, quinoa, farro, barley or cauliflower rice for a different base or to suit dietary preferences.

Can I Cook The Rice In The Crockpot?

You can cook the rice in the crockpot with the chicken to make this meal even easier. To do this, add 2 cups of basmati rice with 4 cups of water to the bottom of the slow cooker. Stir to cover the rice, then follow the recipe as instructed. Keep in mind though, that when rice is cooked for more than 2-3 hours in a slow cooker (especially on the high setting) it may become overcooked.

If you enjoyed this recipe, make sure to give it a star rating and let me know what you thought in the comments! And follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for more delicious recipes!

Recipe

slow cooker hawaiian chicken featured image

Crockpot Hawaiian Haystacks

Kristina Tipps
This easy Crockpot Hawaiian Haystack recipe is a dinner that the whole family is sure to love. It's customizable with your favorite toppings and is simple enough to make a laid back, yet delicious, weeknight dinner.
5 from 1 vote
Bookmark RecipeSaved!
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Prep Time 45 minutes minutes
Cook Time 3 hours hours
Total Time 3 hours hours 45 minutes minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Hawaiian
Servings 6
Calories 478 kcal

Equipment

  • slow cooker

Ingredients

For Chicken

  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cans cream of chicken soup 10.5 oz each
  • ½ cup chicken broth or ½ cup water plus 1 chicken bouillon cube
  • 1 packet Italian dressing mix
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 4 cups cooked basmati rice

Toppings

  • pineapple chunks
  • chow mein noodles
  • shredded cheddar cheese
  • sliced black olives
  • diced tomatoes
  • toasted coconut flakes
  • sliced green onions
  • sliced almonds
  • peas
  • mandarin orange slices

Instructions
 

  • Season chicken with salt and pepper. Arrange the chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker.
  • Add cream of chicken soup, chicken broth and Italian dressing mix. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well combined. 
  • Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Set to low heat and cook for 4–6 hours, or on high heat for 2–3 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender enough to shred easily. The chicken needs to reach at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit with a digital thermometer.
  • Once cooked, use two forks to shred the chicken. Stir in the 1 cup of sour cream until fully incorporated.
  • Set out all of the toppings buffet-style so everyone can customize their own haystack. To assemble your haystack bowl, place a scoop of cooked Basmati rice onto the plate and spoon the shredded chicken and creamy sauce over the rice. Add your desired toppings to create your custom haystack.

Notes

*Nutritional information does not include toppings
Storing: Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze the chicken and sauce mixture for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Cooking Tip: If the sauce is too thick after adding the sour cream, stir in additional chicken broth to reach the desired consistency. If it's too thin, let it cook uncovered on high for the last 15–30 minutes to thicken.

Nutrition

Serving: 12ozCalories: 478kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 38gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 128mgSodium: 1114mgPotassium: 699mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 471IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 73mgIron: 2mg
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Comments

    5 from 1 vote

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Kris says

    February 28, 2025 at 8:29 am

    5 stars
    Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe. It turned out great!

    Reply
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