This post may contain affiliate links, please see the privacy policy for details.
Whether you’re whipping up a smorgasbord of tasty treats for a luau party, you have some chicken to use up or you simply love Hawaiian flavors, this stir-fry Hawaiian chicken recipe is really good. As well as chicken, this dish has bell peppers, pineapple chunks, and green onions, and the tangy sweet and sour chicken sauce is made with honey, ginger, pineapple juice, and more. If you sometimes find Hawaiian dishes too sweet for your taste, making your own is ideal, as you can tweak the sweetness level to your liking!
What could be more delicious than this sweet, juicy and tangy Hawaiian chicken recipe? It’s quick to make and makes a hearty meal served over fluffy rice.
If you like to try new chicken dishes, consider chicken and rice with Brussels sprouts or chicken pastina soup. Hawaiian ribs are also really good!
Why You’ll Love It
Delicious flavors: Juicy chicken with bell peppers and pineapple chunks is topped with a sweet and tangy sauce. If you like Hawaiian flavors you are definitely going to enjoy this.
Quick and easy: The whole thing takes about half an hour to make and it’s also a simple recipe.
A crowd-pleaser: Dishes like this are ideal for summer parties if you have a buffet and they’re also ideal for a potluck or other gathering.
Ingredients for Hawaiian Chicken
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below
Chicken: I like to use boneless skinless chicken breasts. Alternatively, you can use boneless skinless chicken thighs if you prefer.
Pineapple: You need pineapple chunks for the chicken mixture along with pineapple juice for the sauce.
Honey: To sweeten the sauce. You can use less if you don’t want it very sweet.
Rice vinegar: Adds a bitter tang to contrast with the sweet flavors.
Chicken stock: This adds a savory component to the sauce.
Soy sauce: For an Asian twist and a touch of saltiness.
Bell peppers: You can use any colors you like from green (the most savory) to yellow (the sweetest). The dish looks colorful when you use 2 or 3 different colors of bell peppers.
Rice: To serve. You can use 5-minute rice or regular white rice (you could even use brown which takes longer to cook, so plan accordingly).
Avocado oil: To sauté. You can use your favorite type of cooking oil if you prefer another.
Seasonings: Garlic, ginger and red pepper flakes add more Asian flavors to the dish.
How to Make Hawaiian Chicken
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card
Prepare the sauce: Combine the sauce ingredients and set the sauce aside.
Cook the rice: Cook the rice following the directions on the packaging and keep it warm.
Sauté the chicken: Heat the oil in a skillet and sauté the chicken with salt and pepper to season. Remove the chicken from the skillet.
Cook the peppers: Add more oil to the skillet and then the bell pepper and cook until tender.
Add the sauce: Stir the sauce in case some of the ingredients have separated and then add it to the skillet with the peppers and cook until thickened.
Add the pineapple chunks: Add the pineapple chunks and also add the cooked chicken back into the skillet. Cook until everything is heated through.
Serve hot and enjoy: Serve the Hawaiian chicken garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, and serve the rice on the side.
Substitutions and Variations
Gluten-free option: If you want a gluten-free version of Hawaiian chicken, ensure you’re using gluten-free chicken stock and soy sauce, as well as gluten-free cornstarch (or an alternative thickener).
A different sweetener: Use brown sugar in place of the honey if you prefer.
Another rice: Coconut rice is also good with this Hawaiian chicken recipe.
Adjust the spice level: Use less or more red pepper flakes depending on how spicy you want it.
Depth of flavor: Want to know about a secret ingredient to elevate the taste? Add a splash of sherry, mirin or Chinese cooking wine to the sauce mixture. This adds a rich flavor which really goes with the other ingredients. Just sub one tablespoon of the chicken stock for this alcohol, if you want to try doing this.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizers: Tasty appetizers to serve before this delicious Hawaiian chicken include marinated olives with feta cheese, mozzarella sticks with marinara dip, or any of these flavorful summer salads.
Sides and snacks: If you’re cooking for a crowd and offering a variety of dishes, any of these Hawaiian recipes add extra Big Island flavor to the buffet table. Hawaiian baked beans are a family favorite.
Dessert and drinks: Finish off the meal with cinnamon bourbon peach ice cream or indulge in a Hawaiian lava flow cocktail.
How to Store Pineapple Chicken Leftovers
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and eat within 5 days.
Freeze: You can freeze it in portions for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat: Reheat this in a pan on the stove or in the microwave.
Top Tips
Go fresh: Although using canned pineapple pieces is fine, you might like to use a fresh pineapple and cut your own chunks. You can also use homemade chicken stock if you have it.
No overcooking: Don’t overcook the chicken, otherwise it will come out dry and tough. The same applies to the bell peppers which are nicer with just a little bite to them.
Thicken the sauce: Don’t worry if the sauce seems too runny. The sauce thickens within a few minutes of adding it to the pan. If it’s still not thick enough, you can add a little more cornstarch dissolved in water.
Hawaiian Chicken FAQs
Although fresh is usually best, that doesn’t apply to Hawaiian chicken, with the reason being fresh pineapple juice is high in bromelain, a natural chemical that works as a natural meat tenderizer. Use this and your chicken will turn mushy! You can either use pineapple juice from canned pineapple or any type of pineapple juice that doesn’t have to be refrigerated because the process of making pineapple juice for a long shelf-life kills the bromelain.
You could make it using extra-firm tofu in place of the chicken and vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
No. Huli means turn in the Hawaiian language, referring to the way the dish is typically cooked in a grill basket with frequent turning over hot coals. This recipe is stir fried.
Hawaiian Chicken Recipe
Hawaiian Chicken
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
- ½ Cup pineapple juice, from the can
- 3 Tablespoons chicken stock
- 3 Tablespoons soy sauce, low sodium
- 3 Tablespoons honey
- 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 Clove garlic, minced
- 1 Teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- ¼ Teaspoon red pepper flakes
For the Chicken:
- 3 Cups white rice
- 2 Tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 Pound boneless skinless chicken, cubed
- ⅛ Teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- ⅛ Teaspoon black pepper
- 1 Cup red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 Cup orange bell pepper, chopped
- 1 Cup yellow bell pepper, chopped
- 15 Ounce can pineapple chunks, juice and fruit separated
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 2 Teaspoons sesame seeds
Instructions
- Add the sauce ingredients to the bowl. Mix until fully combined. Set aside.
- Cook the rice according to the directions. This will take 5 minutes.
- To a sauté pan add 1 tablespoon avocado oil over medium heat. Allow it to get hot for 1 or 2 minutes.
- Add the chicken to the sauté pan.
- Sprinkle the salt and pepper on top of the chicken.
- Sauté each side of the chicken for 4 to 7 minutes.
- Once the chicken is cooked remove from the pan.
- To the pan add 1 tablespoon avocado oil and the peppers. Stir for 5 to 7 minutes so the peppers get a little soft.
- Mix the sauce so the cornstarch and honey become one with the sauce again. To the sauté pan add the sauce. Stir for 1 to 2 minutes or until the sauce is thicker.
- Add the pineapple and chicken to the pan. Cook for 2 or 3 minutes or until the chicken and pineapple are heated through.
- Remove the sauté pan from the heat. Top with green onions and sesame seeds and serve with rice.
Notes
Nutrition
If Hawaiian flavors appeal to you, this Hawaiian chicken recipe is going to make you so happy you chose to make it. Even your tastebuds will want to do their own happy hula dance! Juicy chicken is served with bell peppers, pineapple chunks and a tangy sauce with sweet and sour elements. Paired with fluffy white rice or summer sides like potato salad or macaroni salad, this dish is simply delicious.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
This was a flavor explosion. Absolutely amazing!
The balance between sweet and savory makes it a winner of a recipe!