Hawaiian Chicken Recipe That Brings Island Flavors Home

Succulent hawaiian chicken promises a tropical escape right from your kitchen.

Exotic flavors and island-inspired aromas transport you to sunny beaches without booking a flight.

Weeknight dinners suddenly become an exciting culinary adventure that breaks through mealtime monotony.

Bright, bold seasonings transform ordinary protein into something extraordinary and memorable.

Balanced sweet and savory notes create a crowd-pleasing dish everyone craves.

Colorful presentations make this recipe perfect for family gatherings or casual weekend meals.

Your dinner table will feel like a mini Hawaiian vacation with minimal effort.

What Makes Hawaiian Chicken Worth Making

• Quick Dinner Solution: This Hawaiian Chicken solves your weeknight meal challenge with minimal prep and maximum flavor packed into one skillet.
• Tropical Taste Adventure: Bring a burst of Hawaiian-inspired flavors to your dinner table without complex ingredients or complicated cooking techniques.
• Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: The sweet and tangy sauce with tender chicken creates a meal that even picky eaters will eagerly devour.
• Versatile Serving Options: Customize your meal by serving over rice, noodles, or cauliflower rice to match whatever your kitchen has on hand.

Essential Ingredients For Hawaiian Chicken

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast (1 pound): Cut into bite-sized pieces that will absorb all the delicious Hawaiian flavors perfectly.

• Olive Oil (2 teaspoons): Creates a light, smooth cooking surface for your chicken.
• Salt and Pepper (to taste): Essential seasonings that enhance the chicken’s natural taste.

• Pineapple Chunks (15 oz): Adds sweet, tropical brightness to your dish. Separate the juice for the sauce.
• Chicken Broth (⅓ cup): Provides depth and moisture to your sauce.
• Soy Sauce (¼ cup): Brings a savory, umami element to balance the sweetness.
• Light Brown Sugar (2 tablespoons): Adds a rich, caramel-like sweetness.
• Garlic (1 clove): Delivers a punchy, aromatic base note.
• Fresh Ginger (1 teaspoon): Offers a warm, slightly spicy undertone.

• Red Bell Pepper (1): Contributes color, crunch, and sweet pepper flavor.
• Red Pepper Flakes (¼ teaspoon): Optional spicy kick for heat lovers.
• Cornstarch (1 tablespoon): Helps thicken your sauce to the perfect consistency.

• Sesame Seeds, Green Onion: Sprinkle on top for extra texture and fresh flavor.

Kitchen Tools You’ll Use for Hawaiian Chicken

• Large Skillet (12-inch): Your go-to pan for searing chicken and creating that delicious sauce with perfect browning and heat distribution.
• Mixing Bowl (medium-sized): Perfect for combining your marinade ingredients and creating a smooth sauce mixture.
• Measuring Cups: Essential for getting your pineapple juice, broth, and other liquid ingredients precisely right.
• Measuring Spoons: Helpful for accurately portioning out soy sauce, brown sugar, and spices.
• Cutting Board: A sturdy surface for chopping red bell peppers, green onions, and preparing your ingredients.
• Sharp Chef’s Knife: Your reliable tool for dicing vegetables and prepping chicken with clean, precise cuts.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring the sauce and turning chicken without scratching your skillet.
• Small Bowl: Useful for mixing the cornstarch slurry to thicken your sauce perfectly.
• Strainer or Colander: Handy for draining pineapple chunks if needed.

Complete Instructions for Hawaiian Chicken

A Few Helpful Notes For Hawaiian Chicken

• Whisk your sauce ingredients thoroughly to ensure the brown sugar dissolves completely for a smooth, well-blended flavor.
• Season your chicken generously with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown for maximum flavor development.
• Add bell peppers when chicken is almost done to keep them crisp and bright, preventing them from becoming mushy.
• Create your cornstarch slurry separately and add slowly, stirring constantly to prevent lumps and achieve a silky sauce consistency.
• Sprinkle fresh sesame seeds and green onions just before serving to add a burst of color and fresh crunch to your Hawaiian Chicken.

Flavor Twists for Hawaiian Chicken

• Teriyaki Style Swap: Replace soy sauce with teriyaki sauce and reduce brown sugar by half for a deeper, richer flavor profile your family will enjoy.
• Vegetarian Version: Swap chicken for extra-firm tofu or chickpeas, pressing tofu first to remove excess moisture and ensuring it gets crispy in the pan.
• Spicy Caribbean Remix: Add 1-2 tablespoons of jerk seasoning and replace pineapple juice with mango juice for a tropical heat kick that transforms the entire dish.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Skip the brown sugar, use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce, and serve over cauliflower rice to keep the meal diabetes-friendly and nutritionally balanced.

How To Plate Hawaiian Chicken

• Serve with Steamed Rice: Scoop fluffy white rice into a bowl and nestle the saucy chicken right on top for a complete, satisfying meal that soaks up all those amazing flavors.
• Garnish Generously: Sprinkle extra sesame seeds and chopped green onions to add a fresh crunch and bright pop of color that makes your plate look restaurant-worthy.
• Pick Your Protein Partner: Swap chicken for tofu or shrimp if seafood or vegetarian options sound more appealing – the sauce works perfectly with multiple proteins.
• Wine and Dine: Pair with a crisp Riesling or light Pinot Grigio to complement the sweet and tangy Hawaiian-style sauce, making dinner feel like a mini tropical vacation.

Proper Storage For Hawaiian Chicken

• Refrigerate leftover Hawaiian Chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days, keeping the sauce and chicken together to maintain moisture and flavor.
• Freeze portions in sealed freezer bags, removing as much air as possible, which helps prevent freezer burn and preserves the chicken’s texture.
• When reheating, warm the chicken slowly in a skillet with a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying out and help restore the original saucy consistency.
• Store any extra pineapple chunks separately in the refrigerator for quick additions to future meals or snacking.

Hawaiian Chicken Common Inquiries

Hawaiian Chicken Recipe

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4.9 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hawaiian Chicken brings tropical flavors right to your dinner table with juicy grilled meat marinated in sweet and tangy pineapple sauce. Packed with zesty island-inspired ingredients, this quick and easy recipe delivers a delicious meal that transports your taste buds to sunny beaches.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
• 15 oz pineapple chunks
• 1 red bell pepper

Supporting Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup chicken broth
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons olive oil

Seasonings and Garnishes:

• 1 clove garlic
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper
• Sesame seeds
• Green onion

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Instructions

1. Whisk 1 cup pineapple juice, ⅓ cup chicken broth, ¼ cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon grated ginger, and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes in a bowl until smooth.
2. Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes until shimmering.
3. Add 1-inch chicken breast pieces to the skillet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook for 8 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes until nearly opaque.
4. Toss diced red bell pepper into the skillet. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until peppers soften slightly.
5. Fold in 15 oz pineapple chunks. Cook for 3-4 minutes, allowing fruit to warm through.
6. Pour prepared sauce mixture over chicken. Stir to coat evenly and simmer for 5 minutes at medium heat.
7. Combine 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water to create a smooth slurry. Drizzle into skillet, stirring constantly until sauce thickens.
8. Remove from heat. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions before serving over your favorite base.

Notes

• Check the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe eating and perfect doneness.
• Drain pineapple chunks well to prevent excess liquid from making the sauce too thin.
• Swap coconut aminos for soy sauce to make the recipe gluten-free and lower sodium.
• Fresh pineapple can be used instead of canned, but will change the sauce’s sweetness and consistency.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Sautéed
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Hawaiian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 221 kcal
• Sugar: 11 g
• Sodium: 734 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg