Crock Pot Chicken Hawaiian Haystacks

Looking for a meal that’s a crowd-pleaser and incredibly easy to make? Crock Pot Hawaiian Haystacks are a perfect choice! My kids love this dish and always beg for it. It’s a versatile, fun meal that allows everyone to customize their own “haystack” with their favorite toppings. Whether you’re feeding your family or a large gathering, this recipe will surely be a hit.

Hawaiian Haystacks are a comfort food classic. With a creamy chicken base served over rice and a variety of sweet, savory, and crunchy toppings, this dish is ideal for feeding a crowd while still keeping it easy in the kitchen. You can easily adapt it for a smaller or larger group!

It’s a super flexible recipe, allowing you to make it your own with different toppings and flavors. I love using the crock pot to make the creamy chicken base because it frees up my time, and the result is always delicious! This recipe below will serve about 8 adults.

Ingredients:

• 3 cans (10.5 oz each) cream of chicken soup
• 2 ½ cups chicken broth
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 packages dry Italian dressing mix
• Pepper (to taste)
• 1 rotisserie chicken, shredded (or 3-4 frozen chicken breasts, or shredded chicken breast)
• Cooked Rice (enough for your group)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the sauce:
   In your crock pot, combine the cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, and the packages of dry Italian dressing mix. Stir until well mixed. If you’re using chicken breasts that aren’t cooked already, throw that in at this point.
2. Cook the base:
   Cook the mixture on high for 2 hours or low for 4, stirring occasionally to ensure it’s smooth and creamy.
3. Add chicken and flavoring:
   After the initial cooking time, stir the sauce again to ensure it’s well combined. Add salt and pepper to taste, mix in sour cream, and shredded rotisserie chicken.
4. Finish cooking:
   Continue to cook on high for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the chicken to absorb the creamy sauce.
5. Serve:
   Serve the creamy chicken mixture over rice and let everyone customize their own haystacks with their favorite toppings.

Hawaiian Haystack Topping Ideas

The sky is the limit when it comes to the toppings for this dish. Everyone has a different preference, so don’t be afraid to put out a wide variety!

• Shredded cheese
• Pineapple chunks
• Mandarin oranges
• Sliced almonds
• Toasted coconut
• Chow mein noodles
• Green onions
• Diced tomatoes
• Chopped celery
• Sliced olives

Recipe Tips and Suggestions

• Make it your own: The beauty of Hawaiian Haystacks is that the toppings are entirely up to you! For a fun twist, add toppings like avocado, bacon bits, or diced bell peppers.
• Save time with rotisserie chicken: Using a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken not only adds incredible flavor but also saves time. If you prefer to use frozen chicken breasts, just cook them in the crock pot from the beginning, and shred them at the end.
• Creamy consistency: If the sauce feels too thick, you can add a little more chicken broth to thin it out. If it’s too thin, mix a bit of cornstarch with water and stir it in until it reaches your desired thickness.

Substitutions:

• Chicken alternatives: You can use shredded turkey or even cooked, cubed pork if that’s what you have on hand.
• Bone Broth: Increase the nutritional value of this recipe by using chicken bone broth instead of regular chicken broth. The Walmart version is pretty affordable!
• Cream of chicken soup substitute: If you want to skip the canned soup, you can make your own creamy base by using a roux (butter, flour, and milk or broth) and adding chicken bouillon for flavor.
• Dairy-free: Replace the sour cream with a dairy-free alternative and use a dairy-free cream of chicken soup if needed.

Storage Recommendations:

• Refrigerate: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, you may need to add a little chicken broth to loosen the sauce.
• Freeze: You can freeze the chicken mixture (without rice and toppings) for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating on the stovetop or in a crock pot on low.

FAQs:

1. Can I make this ahead of time?
   Yes! You can make the chicken mixture up to a day in advance and reheat it on the stove or in the crock pot. It’s perfect for prepping ahead of a party or gathering.
2. What type of rice works best?
   Any type of rice works! We love using jasmine or basmati rice, but brown rice or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb option would work great too.
3. Can I use leftover chicken?
   Absolutely! Leftover grilled or baked chicken works wonderfully in this recipe. Just shred it and stir it in during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

---

Crock Pot Hawaiian Haystacks are one of those meals that everyone loves because they can make it their own. It’s creamy, comforting, and ideal for serving a crowd without the hassle of spending hours in the kitchen. My kids always beg for it, and it’s an easy, go-to dinner for busy weeknights or when you’re hosting a large group. I hope your family enjoys this dish as much as mine does!ted milk, just let a can of coconut milk settle in the fridge, skim of the cream, and use the clear liquid on the bottom. Also use my cream of whatever recipe, and use dairy free butter substitute and almond milk. Yum!

More Recipes You May Enjoy:

• Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole
• Easy Cornish Hens in a Slow Cooker
• Slow Cooker Three Cheese Italian Chicken