This chicken Hawaii is made entirely from scratch, without any packets or sachets. It’s deliciously tender chicken in a spicy, sweet, and sour sauce with pineapple, rice, and fresh vegetables. It’s finger-licking good! Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.
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Why this Recipe Works
This insanely delicious chicken Hawaii with rice can be whipped up in half an hour, making it one of my favorite quick weeknight recipes.
It’s an easy recipe packed with fresh ingredients and flavor. What more could you want? It’s the perfect addition to my list of easy Asian dinners!
Hawaii Chicken Ingredients
- Rice is a tasty base for this dish that allows the sauce to soak in. However, you can replace it with noodles, bulgur, or low-carb cauliflower rice for a lighter version.
- Use chicken thigh fillets, which are fattier and stay tender, or chicken breast, turkey fillet, or vegetarian chicken pieces.
- Pineapple and bell peppers, the true stars of the show. They soak up all the flavors and add a nice texture to the sauce.
- Soy sauce or Tamari (gluten-free), ketjap asin is also suitable.
- Oyster sauce or hoisin sauce, even vegetarian oyster sauce work well.
- Vinegar, use whatever you have at home: regular vinegar, rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or white wine vinegar.
- Honey is indispensable in this recipe for achieving a nice balance of flavors. The sweetness can be replaced with agave or maple syrup.
- Cashews give the chicken hawaii a nice bite, but can be omitted if you have a nut allergy. The dish will still be very tasty!
Easy Chicken Recipes
This flavorful chicken is a must-try, in my opinion. The Hawaiian chicken sauce is deliciously sweet and sour, and the crispy vegetables, fresh pineapple, and cashews on top are the perfect addition. I like to serve it with an Asian cucumber salad, which is a delicious addition!
How to Make Chicken Hawaii
We all know chicken Hawaii, but did you know it is super easy to make yourself? This quick recipe is always a big hit at our table, even with the kids. Fry the chicken, aromatics and veggies untill golden and mix together all the sauce ingredients in the meantime. Add the sauce and let it simmer while you prep your side dishes.
The sauce is tangy, sweet and bursting with flavor. The juicy chicken and crispy veggies make this dish a great addition to your easy weeknight dinner recipes! In the mood for more Asian comfortfood? Try my teriyaki chicken!
FAQ
Can I prepare the chicken Hawaii beforehand?
Yes, you can prepare all the components in advance. However, I would cook the rice à la minute to prevent it from becoming too sticky.
Where do I store my leftovers?
You can store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to two to three days, or freeze the chicken in the sauce. Personally, I wouldn’t freeze the rice, but you can store the chicken in the freezer for a few months.
Can I substitute the pineapple?
You could substitute it for another tangy fruit, like apricots for example. It will change the texture and flavor significantly, so I wouldn’t recommend it!
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Ingredients
- 300 gram rice
- 500 gram chicken thigh (diced)
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 clove garlic (finely chopped)
- 1 red bell pepper (cut into strips)
- 1 yellow bell pepper (cut into strips)
- ½ green bell pepper (cut into strips)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 tbsp vinegar
- 1,5 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 50 ml pineapple juice (from the can)
- 1 tsp cornstarch (dissolved in 2 tablespoons water)
- 225 gram pineapple chunks (drained)
- 75 gram unsalted cashews
- olive oil
Equipment
- Large frying pan
INSTRUCTIONS (how to make this recipe):
- Cook the rice according to the instructions on the package.
- Heat the olive oil in a frying pan and fry the chicken until golden brown all over.
- Add the onion and garlic and fry briefly. Add the peppers and cook for about three minutes.
- Add the pineapple and some of the juice. Turn the heat down low and simmer gently.
- Meanwhile, mix the soy sauce, oyster sauce, vinegar, honey, and tomato paste. Pour the mixture into the pan.
- Stir in the cornstarch mixture and allow the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Add the cashews, stir, and fry for another two minutes.
- Serve the Hawaiian chicken over rice with a fresh cucumber salad. Enjoy!
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