Easy Hawaiian Chicken Recipe: Sweet & Savory Pineapple Stir-Fry for Quick Weeknight Dinners
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of the tropics with this incredible Hawaiian Chicken recipe. Featuring tender and juicy chicken stir-fried with colorful bell peppers and succulent chunks of pineapple, all coated in a rich, sweet, and tangy sauce, this dish is a taste of paradise in every bite.
Life can be hectic, and finding time for elaborate meals isn’t always possible. That’s why easy dinners that come together in under 30 minutes are absolute lifesavers, becoming a cherished part of the weekly routine. This Hawaiian Chicken recipe is precisely that – a quick, convenient, and incredibly flavorful meal that’s anything but a boring chicken dinner. It’s a delightful escape from the mundane, bringing exciting island-inspired flavors right to your kitchen table.
One of the many wonderful aspects of Asian-inspired recipes, particularly stir-fries, is their remarkable speed and simplicity. The magic truly lies in the preparation: once all your ingredients are prepped and ready to go, the actual cooking process is astonishingly fast. In just a few minutes, you can transform simple components into a satisfying, restaurant-quality meal, making it an ideal choice for busy evenings when you crave something delicious without the long wait.
Essential Ingredients for Your Hawaiian Chicken Stir-Fry
Crafting this flavorful Hawaiian Chicken dish requires a harmonious blend of fresh produce, pantry staples, and key flavor enhancers. Each ingredient plays a vital role in achieving that perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy notes that makes this stir-fry so irresistible. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need:
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are our go-to for their lean protein content and quick cooking time. Cut into bite-sized pieces, they easily absorb the delicious sauce.
- Salt & Pepper: Simple seasonings to enhance the natural flavor of the chicken before searing.
- Olive Oil: Used for browning the chicken and sautéing the vegetables, providing a healthy cooking fat.
- Bell Peppers: Colorful bell peppers (any mix of red, yellow, orange) add a lovely crunch, natural sweetness, and vibrant color to the stir-fry. They hold up well to stir-frying.
- Pineapple Chunks: The star of the show! Canned pineapple chunks, packed in their own juice, are convenient and bring that signature tropical sweetness and tang.
- Pineapple Juice: Crucial for the sauce, adding intense pineapple flavor and liquid to create a smooth, luscious glaze.
- Soy Sauce: Provides the savory, umami depth essential for any good Asian-inspired sauce. Reduced-sodium is often preferred to control saltiness.
- Brown Sugar: Balances the tang of the pineapple and soy sauce with a rich, caramel-like sweetness.
- Rice Vinegar: Adds a bright, acidic tang that cuts through the sweetness, creating a well-rounded sweet and sour profile.
- Fresh Ginger: Minced fresh ginger delivers a warm, spicy, and aromatic kick, elevating the overall flavor complexity.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is indispensable for its pungent, aromatic base flavor, essential in many stir-fries.
- Barbecue Sauce: A surprising yet brilliant addition, barbecue sauce lends a smoky, savory, and slightly spicy dimension, adding a unique twist to the classic sweet and sour profile.
- Cornstarch: The secret ingredient for thickening the sauce, ensuring it clings beautifully to the chicken and vegetables.
Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Delicious Hawaiian Chicken
Making this Hawaiian Chicken stir-fry is straightforward and incredibly rewarding. The key is to work quickly and have all your ingredients prepped before you start cooking. Follow these simple steps for a perfect meal every time:
- Prepare and Sear the Chicken: Begin by seasoning your bite-sized chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper on all sides. Heat half of the olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the chicken pieces in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Sear them for 4-5 minutes, flipping occasionally, until they are beautifully browned on all sides but not fully cooked through. This browning develops a rich flavor. Remove the chicken from the pan and transfer it to a plate, covering it loosely with foil to keep it warm and allow it to finish cooking gently with residual heat.
- Sauté the Aromatics and Veggies: Add the remaining olive oil to the same skillet. Immediately stir in the chopped bell peppers, the succulent pineapple chunks (drained, reserving the juice for the sauce), fragrant chopped fresh ginger, and pungent minced garlic. Cook this vibrant mixture for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the bell peppers begin to soften but still retain a slight crispness. The ginger and garlic will become wonderfully aromatic. Once cooked to your liking, remove the vegetables and pineapple from the skillet and set aside with the chicken.
- Whisk Together the Irresistible Sauce: While the pan is still hot, it’s time to build the heart of the dish – the sweet and sour sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce, soy sauce (preferably reduced sodium), light brown sugar, and rice vinegar until thoroughly combined. Pour this flavorful mixture into the hot pan and bring it to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly.
- Thicken the Sauce to Perfection: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and the reserved pineapple juice until you have a smooth, lump-free slurry. Gradually pour this cornstarch mixture into the simmering barbecue sauce, whisking continuously. Continue to cook for a few more minutes, stirring, until the sauce visibly thickens and coats the back of a spoon. It should transform into a glossy, luscious glaze.
- Combine and Finish Cooking: Return the browned chicken and the sautéed bell pepper and pineapple mixture to the pan with the thickened sauce. Stir everything together gently, ensuring all the ingredients are thoroughly coated in the delicious sauce. Continue to cook for approximately 5 more minutes, or until the chicken is completely cooked through (reaching an internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C) and the entire dish is heated evenly.
- Serve Immediately: For the best experience, serve your Hawaiian Chicken immediately. It pairs perfectly with fluffy rice, allowing the rice to soak up every last drop of that amazing sweet and sour sauce.
Expert Tips for the Best Hawaiian Chicken
Elevate your Hawaiian Chicken stir-fry with these helpful tips and variations, ensuring a perfect and personalized meal every time:
- Chicken Choice & Preparation: While boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a lean and quick-cooking option, feel free to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for an even juicier and more flavorful result. Chicken thighs tend to be more forgiving if slightly overcooked. Regardless of your choice, ensure the chicken is cut into uniform, bite-sized pieces for even cooking. For crispier chicken, you can lightly dust it with cornstarch before searing.
- Pineapple – Fresh vs. Canned: Canned pineapple chunks are incredibly convenient and work wonderfully, especially since they come packed in juice that you can use for the sauce. Always opt for pineapple packed in its own juice, not heavy syrup. If you have fresh pineapple on hand, you’ll need about 1 cup of chopped fresh pineapple. You can substitute fresh pineapple juice as well, or simply use water or chicken broth if you don’t have enough reserved juice.
- Vegetable Versatility: Bell peppers are a classic choice for their vibrant color and mild sweetness that complements the sweet and sour sauce beautifully. However, stir-fries are fantastic for incorporating a variety of vegetables. Consider adding broccoli florets, snow peas, sliced carrots, snap peas, water chestnuts, or even mushrooms. Add harder vegetables like carrots earlier in the cooking process, and softer ones like snow peas towards the end to maintain their crispness.
- Amp Up the Heat: If you enjoy a little kick, it’s easy to add some spice to your Hawaiian Chicken. A pinch of red pepper flakes stirred into the sauce or sautéed with the bell peppers will give a subtle warmth. For more significant heat, finely chopped jalapeños or a dash of sriracha in the sauce can transform the dish into a fiery delight.
- Garnishes for Freshness and Texture: Garnishes aren’t just for aesthetics; they significantly enhance the flavor and texture profile of a stir-fry. I love to sprinkle a few sesame seeds over the finished dish for a nutty crunch. Thinly sliced green onions (scallions) add a fresh, mild oniony bite and a pop of color, while fresh chopped cilantro or parsley can brighten the flavors and add an herbaceous note.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When searing the chicken, cook it in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the skillet. Overcrowding lowers the pan’s temperature, leading to steamed rather than beautifully browned chicken.
- Prep Everything Ahead: Stir-fries cook very quickly, so having all your ingredients chopped, measured, and ready to go (mise en place) before you start cooking is crucial for a smooth and successful process.
Storing Your Leftover Hawaiian Chicken
This Hawaiian Chicken is fantastic as leftovers, making it an excellent meal prep option for lunches throughout the week. To ensure its freshness and flavor, store any remaining stir-fry in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. It reheats beautifully, whether you choose to microwave individual portions for a quick lunch or gently warm it in a skillet on the stovetop until heated through. When reheating in a skillet, you might add a tiny splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce if it has thickened too much.
Serving Suggestions for Hawaiian Chicken
The classic and most satisfying way to serve Hawaiian Chicken is over a bed of freshly cooked rice. The rice acts as a perfect canvas, soaking up all the delicious sweet and sour sauce. Instant Pot Jasmine Rice is a fantastic choice for its fragrant aroma and fluffy texture, but feel free to opt for healthier alternatives like cauliflower rice for a low-carb option, or brown rice for added fiber and a nutty flavor. For an even more complete and nutritious meal, consider serving it with additional steamed or roasted vegetables. Roasted Edamame with Parmesan and Garlic makes for a superb side dish, offering a boost of protein and a delightful texture contrast that complements the stir-fry beautifully.
More Irresistible Dinner Recipes to Explore
If you loved this easy and flavorful Hawaiian Chicken, you’re in for a treat! Our collection of dinner recipes offers a wide array of delicious and often quick-to-prepare meals that are perfect for any night of the week. From comforting classics to exciting new flavors, there’s always something new to discover and enjoy. Don’t miss out on these other family favorites:
- Crockpot Chicken & Gravy: A comforting, slow-cooked classic.
- Chicken Broccoli Alfredo: A creamy, rich pasta dish perfect for a satisfying meal.
- Instant Pot Chicken Adobo: Flavorful Filipino chicken made quick in your pressure cooker.
- Chicken Pot Pie Noodles: All the comfort of pot pie in a hearty noodle dish.
- Chicken Lombardy: A decadent chicken dish with mushrooms and a rich cream sauce.
- Chinese Chicken Salad: A refreshing and crunchy salad bursting with Asian flavors.
- Creamy Chicken & Rice: A one-pan wonder that’s both easy and incredibly satisfying.
- Chicken Club Wrap: A light yet filling option for lunch or a casual dinner.
Hawaiian Chicken
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Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts, cut into bite sized pieces
- 2 Tablespoon olive oil, divided
- Salt & Pepper
- 2 bell peppers, chopped
- 1 20 oz can pineapple chunks
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh ginger
Sauce
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 3 Tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
- 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 cup cooked white rice
Instructions
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Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper evenly on both sides. Heat the oil in a large skillet and add the chicken pieces. Brown them for 4-5 minutes until they are evenly browned, but not completely cooked through. Remove from the pan and cover with foil to keep arm.
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Add the remaining 1 Tablespoon of the oil to the pan, stir in the bell peppers, chunks of pineapple, chopped fresh ginger, and minced garlic. cook for about 5 minutes, until the veggies are soft. Remove the veggies from the skillet.
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Next mix the barbecue sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, and rice vinegar together and add to the hot pan. Bring to a simmer.
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Whisk together the cornstarch and pineapple juice until it is smooth. Stir into the barbecue sauce mixture. Cook for a few minutes, until it starts to thicken.
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Add the chicken and bell pepper mixture back to the pan and cook for about 5 more minutes until everything is hot and the chicken is cooked through.
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Best served immediately over rice.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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