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Quick Hawaiian Chicken

Quick Hawaiian Chicken

Quick Hawaiian Chicken is your new weeknight hero, delivering sweet and savory island flavors with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction. This delightful recipe makes creating a delicious, restaurant-quality meal at home incredibly straightforward and surprisingly budget-friendly.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Marinating Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Hawaiian
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs Chicken Thighs or Breasts boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup Pineapple Juice unsweetened
  • 1/4 cup Soy Sauce low sodium preferred
  • 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Rice Vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Fresh Ginger grated
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon Cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (for slurry)
  • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil or Vegetable Oil
  • Sliced Green Onions optional garnish
  • Toasted Sesame Seeds optional garnish
  • Diced Fresh Pineapple optional garnish
  • Crushed Red Pepper Flakes optional garnish

Equipment

  • Medium Bowl
  • Large skillet or wok

Method
 

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, grated ginger, and minced garlic. This creates the signature sweet and savory Hawaiian marinade.
    1/2 cup Pineapple Juice, 1/4 cup Soy Sauce, 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar, 1 tablespoon Rice Vinegar, 1 teaspoon Fresh Ginger, 2 cloves Garlic
  2. If you have a few extra minutes, add the cut chicken pieces to the sauce mixture. Toss to coat evenly, then let it marinate for at least 10 minutes at room temperature or up to 30 minutes in the refrigerator for deeper flavor. If you're short on time, you can skip this marinating step and proceed directly to cooking.
    1.5 lbs Chicken Thighs or Breasts
  3. Heat the olive oil or vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned on all sides and almost cooked through. If you marinated the chicken, drain off most of the marinade before adding the chicken to the skillet.
    1 tablespoon Olive Oil or Vegetable Oil, 1.5 lbs Chicken Thighs or Breasts
  4. Pour any remaining marinade (if not used for marinating) into the skillet with the chicken. Bring the sauce to a simmer. If you skipped the marinating step, pour the prepared sauce mixture into the skillet with the chicken.
    1.5 lbs Chicken Thighs or Breasts
  5. Give the cornstarch and water mixture (slurry) a quick stir, then slowly drizzle it into the simmering sauce while continuously stirring. Continue to cook and stir for another 1-2 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened to a glossy, coating consistency. Make sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, as these add great flavor.
    1 tablespoon Cornstarch
  6. Remove the skillet from the heat. Garnish generously with sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds, diced fresh pineapple, or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for a touch of heat. Serve your Quick Hawaiian Chicken immediately over steamed rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice for a complete and delicious meal.
    Sliced Green Onions, Toasted Sesame Seeds, Diced Fresh Pineapple, Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

Notes

This recipe is designed for speed, with an optional marinating step for enhanced flavor. Great for busy weeknights!