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Hawaiian Chicken

Hawaiian Chicken
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Hawaiian Chicken is a quick and flavorful dish combining sweet pineapple with savory chicken, perfect for a tropical-inspired meal ready in about 30 minutes. This recipe balances sweet, salty, and tangy flavors with common pantry ingredients and fresh produce, making it an easy, family-friendly dinner that pairs well with rice, noodles, or wraps.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, diced into bite-sized pieces

Produce

  • 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

Sauce & Seasonings

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari/coconut aminos for gluten-free)
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
  • Optional: 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water (for thickening)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces, chop the pineapple chunks, dice the red bell pepper, mince the garlic, and chop the green onions. This ensures quick and even cooking.
  2. Mix the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and minced garlic to create a sweet and tangy marinade that will flavor the dish.
  3. Cook the Chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes until golden and cooked through, then remove from the skillet and set aside, keeping the skillet hot.
  4. Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the red bell pepper and pineapple chunks. Sauté briefly until they are just tender and the juices begin to caramelize, enhancing the flavor.
  5. Combine and Simmer: Return the chicken to the skillet, pour the prepared sauce over everything, and simmer for a few minutes until the sauce slightly thickens and flavors meld. If desired, stir in the cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce further.
  6. Finish and Garnish: Sprinkle chopped green onions over the top before serving to add freshness and a pop of color.

Notes

  • Cut chicken into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and prevent drying.
  • Use fresh pineapple whenever possible for brighter flavor compared to canned.
  • Don’t skip the vinegar as it balances the sweetness and prevents the sauce from being too cloying.
  • Mix cornstarch with water before adding if you want a thicker, glossy sauce.
  • Cook on medium-high heat to get a nice sear while keeping the chicken juicy.
  • Optional: Add crushed red pepper flakes for spice or swap chicken breast for thighs for extra juiciness.

Nutrition

Keywords: Hawaiian Chicken, pineapple chicken, quick dinner, tropical chicken recipe, gluten-free dinner, easy chicken recipe, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://mealsbysarah.com/hawaiian-chicken/