Hawaiian Chicken

Escape to a tropical paradise with this delicious and easy Hawaiian Chicken recipe. The blend of sweet ‘n sour flavors, combined with tender chicken, juicy pineapple, and crunchy peppers make for a delightful weeknight meal. You’ll be saying mahalo after taking the first bite!

When I’m in the mood for something tropical and vibrant, Hawaiian Chicken hits the spot.

If you love dishes like sweet and sour chicken, teriyaki chicken, or even a good stir-fry, this recipe will be a delightful addition to your family dinner menu.

It’s easy to make, and the flavors are absolutely irresistible.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it’s not only delicious but also incredibly versatile.

The combination of juicy chicken, crisp bell peppers, and sweet pineapple creates a perfect harmony of flavors that my family can’t get enough of.

Plus, it’s a quick meal that I can whip up in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

Every time I make it, the kitchen smells amazing, and everyone eagerly gathers around the table.

Ingredients & Substitutions

The ingredients in this Hawaiian Chicken recipe are selected to create a balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors.

• Chicken Breast: I use boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into 1-inch cubes. You can also use chicken thighs for a juicier texture.
• Bell Peppers: I like to use a mix of green, yellow, and red bell peppers for a burst of color and crunch. Feel free to substitute with zucchini, snap peas, or carrots if you prefer.
• Pineapple Tidbits: These add a sweet and tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with the sauce. Make sure to reserve the juice for the sauce.
• Olive Oil: Used for searing the chicken and sautéing the peppers.
• Sauce Ingredients: Head Country barbecue sauce, pineapple juice, soy sauce, light brown sugar, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and ground ginger come together to create a rich and tangy sauce. You can adjust the sweetness or saltiness by using low-sodium soy sauce or adding a bit more sugar depending on your taste.

How to Make Hawaiian Chicken

Making Hawaiian Chicken is super straightforward and doesn’t require fancy techniques.

1. Cooking the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken cubes and sear them until golden brown. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
2. Sautéing the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the diced bell peppers and sauté for about 5-6 minutes until they are tender. Remove the peppers from the pan.
3. Preparing the Sauce: Add the sauce ingredients to the pan and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let it cook until it starts to thicken.
4. Combining Everything: Add the seared chicken back into the sauce and cook on medium-low heat until fully coated and cooked through. Gently stir in the sautéed peppers and pineapple tidbits, cooking for an additional 3-5 minutes until the sauce is fully thickened.
5. Serving: Serve the flavorful Hawaiian Chicken over white rice or fried rice for a complete meal.

Key to Success #1 – Cube the Chicken and the Peppers

To start off this recipe on the right foot, it’s important to cube both the chicken and the peppers.

This will ensure that they cook evenly and provide the perfect bite-size pieces for your meal.

Be sure to remove any excess fat from the chicken before cubing it.

As for the peppers, feel free to use your favorite color – the recipe works great with red, green, or yellow peppers.

Use a sharp knife to cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes.

I used chicken tenderloins and I was able to get about 3 cubes out of each tenderloin.

One advantage of cubing the chicken as opposed to cooking the full breasts is that the cubed chicken will cook much faster.

You can julienne slice the peppers or you can dice them.

I prefer to dice the peppers for this recipe just because I think it fits well with the cubed chicken.

Either way, they will cook in about the same amount of time.

Just be sure to cut the peppers into consistent sizes.

Key to Success #2 – Don’t Skip The Barbecue Sauce

To truly take this one-pan Hawaiian chicken meal to the next level, it’s essential not to skip the barbecue sauce.

While you might be tempted to substitute it for another sauce or seasoning, the sweet and tangy flavor of Head Country barbecue sauce is what truly ties this recipe together.

The secret ingredient in this sauce is Head Country barbecue sauce.

Of course, you can use any barbecue sauce that you like but I highly recommend the Head Country Original Barbecue Sauce in this recipe.

It adds a tangy note to this sweet and sticky sauce.

The sauce is so delicious and it really smells amazing.

As I was whisking up the sauce, Noah came into the kitchen and said “Something smells good, mom!”

He’s not really into sweet and sour flavors but he loved this Hawaiian Chicken and asked for seconds!

Key to Success #3 – Use Pineapple Tidbits or Chunks

One of the most important ingredients in creating a delicious Hawaiian chicken meal is the addition of pineapple tidbits or chunks.

Not only do they add a burst of sweet and juicy flavor, but they also provide a nice texture contrast to the tender chicken and crisp veggies.

Plus, pineapple is loaded with vitamin C and other nutrients, making it a healthy addition to any meal.

To incorporate pineapple into your one-pan meal, simply add the tidbits or chunks to the pan during the last 5-10 minutes of cooking.

This will allow them to heat through and meld with the flavors of the chicken, peppers, and barbecue sauce.

I use a can of Pineapple Tidbits in Hawaiian Chicken.

If you haven’t seen the Pineapple Tidbits, they are essentially smaller chunks of pineapples.

I think the smaller pineapple tidbits allow you to spread the pineapple throughout the dish so that you can get more pineapple flavor in every bite.

If you’d prefer, you can certainly use a can of pineapple chunks or even fresh pineapple.

You can use as much pineapple as you like.

I use a full 20-ounce can.

Be sure to drain the juice from your pineapple but reserve some juice to use in your sauce.

Pro Tips

• Adjusting Spice Levels: For those who enjoy a bit of heat, adding some chili flakes or a sliced jalapeño to the sauce can elevate the spiciness.
• Ahead of Time: Cook the chicken and sauce in advance and store them in the fridge. When ready to serve, quickly reheat and add fresh bell peppers and pineapple tidbits for a speedy and delicious meal.
• Low-Sodium Option: Using low-sodium soy sauce helps reduce the overall saltiness without compromising the flavor.
• Garnishing: Sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds or chopped fresh cilantro on top for an extra burst of flavor and a beautiful presentation.

Recipe Variations

One of the best things about this Hawaiian Chicken recipe is its flexibility. Here are some delightful variations and substitutions to consider:

• Vegetarian Option: Swap the chicken for cubed tofu or tempeh. Both options absorb the delicious sauce beautifully while providing a satisfying texture.
• Different Proteins: Not a fan of chicken? Try using shrimp, pork, or even beef. Each protein brings a unique flavor profile to the dish.
• Gluten-Free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce to keep the recipe gluten-free without sacrificing taste. Additionally, ensure that all other ingredients are gluten-free by checking the labels.
• Fruit Alternatives: If you’re not keen on pineapples, consider using mango chunks or mandarin oranges for a twist on the classic flavors.

Serving Suggestions

Pairing Hawaiian Chicken with the right accompaniments can elevate your meal to a feast. Here are some suggestions:

• Rice: White rice, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice are perfect bases to soak up the tangy sauce. We love to serve this with a quick and easy Hawaiian Fried Rice.
• Noodles: Serve the dish over soba noodles or rice noodles for an exciting variation.
• Vegetable Sides: Stir-fried broccoli, steamed green beans, or a fresh garden salad complement the rich flavors of Hawaiian Chicken wonderfully.
• Bread: Soft dinner rolls or Hawaiian sweet bread can be ideal for mopping up any extra sauce.

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