Easy Hawaiian Chicken Stir-Fry: Sweet, Savory & Ready in 30 Minutes
Indulge in this quick and flavorful Hawaiian Chicken stir-fry, featuring tender, juicy chicken, vibrant bell peppers, and sweet pineapple chunks, all coated in a delectable homemade sweet and sour sauce. It’s the perfect weeknight escape to the tropics!
When the clock is ticking and hunger strikes, easy dinners that come together in under 30 minutes are truly a lifesaver. This Hawaiian Chicken recipe isn’t just fast; it’s a burst of incredible flavor that elevates your ordinary chicken dinner into something extraordinary. Inspired by the vibrant tastes of the Pacific, this dish perfectly balances sweet, savory, and tangy notes, making it a guaranteed family favorite.
One of the best aspects of Asian-inspired recipes is their inherent speed and simplicity. You spend a short time prepping your ingredients, and within minutes, a hot, fresh, and delicious meal is ready to be enjoyed. This Hawaiian Chicken stir-fry epitomizes that convenience, bringing bold flavors to your table without the fuss.
Why You’ll Love This Quick Hawaiian Chicken Recipe
This Hawaiian Chicken recipe is designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort, making it an ideal choice for busy individuals and families alike. Here’s why it’s bound to become a staple in your meal rotation:
- Lightning Fast: From start to finish, this meal can be on your table in just about 30 minutes. Perfect for those hectic weeknights when you want something homemade but don’t have hours to cook.
- Explosion of Flavor: The combination of tender chicken, sweet pineapple, crisp bell peppers, and a perfectly balanced sweet and sour sauce creates a harmonious symphony of tastes that will tantalize your taste buds.
- Simple Ingredients: You won’t need any exotic items here. Most ingredients are likely already in your pantry or easily found at any grocery store.
- Versatile: While delicious as is, this recipe is incredibly adaptable. Easily swap out vegetables, adjust the spice level, or even experiment with different proteins.
- Family-Friendly: Its appealing sweet and savory profile makes it a hit with both kids and adults, ensuring clean plates all around.
Essential Ingredients for Your Hawaiian Chicken Stir-Fry
Creating this delicious Hawaiian Chicken dish requires a blend of fresh produce and pantry staples. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in building the vibrant flavor profile. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need:
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are preferred for their lean texture and quick cooking time. Cut into bite-sized pieces for even cooking and easy eating.
- 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 medium.
- Bell Peppers: A mix of colorful bell peppers (red, yellow, orange) adds visual appeal, sweetness, and a lovely crunch.
- Pineapple Chunks: Canned pineapple chunks are convenient and work perfectly, bringing that signature tropical sweetness and acidity. Don’t discard the juice!
- Pineapple Juice: A key component of the sauce, providing natural sweetness and fruity tang that perfectly complements the savory elements.
- Soy Sauce: Adds a fundamental umami depth and savory flavor characteristic of Asian-inspired stir-fries. Reduced sodium is a good choice for better control over saltiness.
- Brown Sugar: Contributes a rich, molasses-like sweetness that balances the tanginess of the vinegar and pineapple.
- Rice Vinegar: Provides the essential sour note for the sweet and sour sauce, brightening the overall flavor.
- Fresh Ginger: Minced fresh ginger adds a warm, spicy, and aromatic kick, crucial for an authentic stir-fry taste.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic provides a pungent, savory base aroma that deepens the flavor of the dish.
- Barbecue Sauce: An unexpected but brilliant addition that forms the base of the rich, thick sauce, adding a smoky, sweet, and tangy complexity. Choose your favorite brand!
- Cornstarch: This acts as a thickening agent for the sauce, ensuring it coats the chicken and vegetables beautifully.
Mastering Your Hawaiian Chicken: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these straightforward steps to create a succulent and satisfying Hawaiian Chicken stir-fry that will impress everyone at your dinner table.
- Prepare the Chicken: Begin by seasoning your bite-sized chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper on all sides. Heat half of the olive oil (about 1 tablespoon) in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Brown them for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally, until they develop a nice golden crust but are not fully cooked through. This browning step adds depth of flavor. Remove the chicken from the pan and loosely cover it with foil to keep it warm while you prepare the vegetables.
- Sauté the Aromatics and Vegetables: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet. Once hot, stir in the chopped bell peppers, pineapple chunks (drained, reserving the juice for the sauce), minced fresh ginger, and minced garlic. Cook for approximately 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the bell peppers start to soften but still retain a slight crispness. You want them tender-crisp, not mushy. Remove these sautéed vegetables from the skillet and set aside with the chicken.
- Whisk Together the Sauce Base: In a medium bowl, combine the barbecue sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, and rice vinegar. Whisk vigorously until all ingredients are well combined and the brown sugar has dissolved. This mixture forms the heart of your sweet and sour sauce.
- Thicken the Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce mixture into the hot skillet. Bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with the reserved pineapple juice until you have a smooth slurry with no lumps. Gradually stir this cornstarch slurry into the simmering barbecue sauce mixture in the skillet. Continue to cook for a few more minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce visibly thickens to a glossy consistency that will beautifully coat your chicken and vegetables.
- Combine and Finish: Return the browned chicken pieces and the sautéed bell pepper and pineapple mixture back into the pan with the thickened sauce. Stir everything gently to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly coated in the sauce. Continue to cook for another 5 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 white rice.
Expert Tips for the Ultimate Hawaiian Chicken
Achieving restaurant-quality Hawaiian Chicken at home is easy with a few simple tips and tricks. These suggestions will help you customize the dish to your preference and ensure perfect results every time.
- Chicken Choices: While boneless, skinless chicken breasts are fantastic for this recipe due to their lean nature and quick cooking, boneless, skinless chicken thighs are an excellent alternative. They offer a richer flavor and stay incredibly juicy. Simply cut them into bite-sized pieces, and the cooking time will remain very similar.
- Pineapple Perfection: Canned pineapple chunks are incredibly convenient and work wonderfully, ensuring you can make this dish any time. However, if fresh pineapple is in season and you prefer it, you’ll need about 1 cup of chopped fresh pineapple. The fresh juice can also be used for the sauce.
- Vegetable Versatility: Bell peppers are a classic choice for their sweetness and crisp-tender texture, complementing the sweet and sour sauce beautifully. Feel free to experiment with other stir-fry friendly vegetables like broccoli florets, snow peas, snap peas, sliced carrots, or even water chestnuts for added crunch.
- Heat It Up: If you enjoy a little kick, it’s easy to adjust the spice level. Add a pinch or two of red pepper flakes during the vegetable sautéing step, or incorporate some finely chopped fresh jalapeño or serrano peppers for a fresher heat. A dash of sriracha in the sauce can also do the trick.
- Garnish for Freshness: Garnishes aren’t just for looks; they add a final layer of flavor and texture. A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds adds a nutty crunch, while sliced green onions (scallions) or fresh parsley provide a refreshing, herbaceous contrast.
- Achieving a Great Sear: Don’t overcrowd the pan when browning the chicken. Cook in batches if necessary to allow the chicken to sear properly and develop a golden crust, which adds a lot of flavor.
- Sauce Consistency: Ensure your cornstarch slurry is completely smooth before adding it to the sauce to prevent lumps. Cook the sauce until it’s just thick enough to coat the back of a spoon; it will continue to thicken slightly as it cools.
Storage and Reheating Made Easy
This Hawaiian Chicken recipe makes fantastic leftovers, perfect for a quick and satisfying lunch the next day. To ensure maximum freshness and flavor, store any cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
When you’re ready to enjoy it again, reheating is simple:
- Microwave: For individual portions, transfer the chicken and rice to a microwave-safe dish and heat on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway, until warmed through.
- Stovetop: For larger portions or if you prefer a fresh-cooked texture, reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a tablespoon of water or chicken broth. Stir frequently until heated thoroughly. This method helps prevent the chicken from drying out and can crisp up the vegetables slightly.
While this dish is best enjoyed fresh, it can also be portioned into meal prep containers for easy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week, making healthy eating convenient.
Creative Ways to Serve Your Hawaiian Chicken
While this delightful Hawaiian Chicken is traditionally served over rice, its versatile flavors mean you can pair it with a variety of sides to suit your preference or dietary needs.
- Classic White Rice: The fluffy texture of white rice perfectly soaks up the sweet and sour sauce. Consider Instant Pot Jasmine Rice for a quick and aromatic option.
- Healthier Grains: For a more nutritious meal, serve it over brown rice, quinoa, or even farro. Their nutty flavors add another dimension to the dish.
- Low-Carb Options: If you’re watching your carb intake, cauliflower rice is an excellent substitute, offering a similar texture without the carbs. You could also serve it with spiralized zucchini noodles or a bed of fresh mixed greens.
- Extra Veggies: Boost your vegetable intake by serving it alongside steamed or roasted greens like asparagus, green beans, or even a vibrant side of Roasted Edamame with Parmesan Garlic.
- Lettuce Wraps: Turn your Hawaiian Chicken into fun, interactive lettuce wraps! Serve the stir-fry in crisp lettuce cups (like butter lettuce or romaine) for a light and refreshing meal.
More Tasty Dinner Recipes to Explore
If you loved the ease and flavor of this Hawaiian Chicken, you’re in for a treat! We have a treasure trove of delicious and easy dinner recipes that are perfect for any night of the week. Expand your culinary repertoire with these fantastic options:
- Crockpot Chicken & Gravy: Effortless comfort food for a hearty meal.
- Chicken Broccoli Alfredo: A creamy, classic pasta dish that’s always a hit.
- Instant Pot Chicken Adobo: Flavorful Filipino chicken that’s quick to make.
- Chicken Pot Pie Noodles: All the flavors of a pot pie in a comforting noodle dish.
- Chicken Lombardy: A rich and creamy chicken dish perfect for a special meal.
- Chinese Chicken Salad: A light, crisp, and flavorful salad for a refreshing dinner.
- Creamy Chicken & Rice: A one-pan wonder that’s incredibly satisfying.
- Chicken Club Wrap: Quick and easy wraps perfect for a lighter dinner or lunch.
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 1 Tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat 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 warm.
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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 but still slightly crisp. Remove the veggies from the skillet.
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Next, in a bowl, mix the barbecue sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, and rice vinegar together. Add this mixture to the hot pan and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
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In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and pineapple juice until smooth. Stir this slurry into the simmering barbecue sauce mixture in the skillet. Cook for a few minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce starts to thicken and becomes glossy.
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Add the partially cooked chicken and the bell pepper mixture back to the pan with the thickened sauce. Stir to coat everything evenly. Continue to cook for about 5 more minutes until everything is hot and the chicken is fully cooked through (165°F / 74°C).
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Serve immediately over rice for the best flavor and texture.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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