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Sweet Hawaiian Chicken Meal

Sweet Hawaiian Chicken Meal


  • Author: Sarah White

Description

Juicy Sweet Hawaiian Chicken Meal with pineapple, bell peppers, and tangy BBQ glaze—easy, flavorful, and perfect over rice.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into chunks

  • 1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks, drained (reserve juice)

  • 1 red bell pepper, diced

  • 1 yellow bell pepper, diced

  • 1 cup barbecue sauce

  • ½ cup soy sauce

  • ¼ cup brown sugar

  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • ¼ cup cornstarch

  • ¼ cup cold water

  • 2 tablespoons oil (vegetable or avocado)

  • Cooked rice, for serving

  • Chopped green onions, for garnish

  • Sesame seeds, for garnish


Instructions

  • Cook the chicken: In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Remove the chicken and set it aside.

  • Sauté the peppers: In the same skillet, add the remaining oil. Add red and yellow bell peppers and sauté for 3–4 minutes until slightly softened.

  • Combine with pineapple and chicken: Add the cooked chicken and pineapple chunks to the skillet with the peppers. Toss together gently.

  • Make the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together barbecue sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, reserved pineapple juice, ginger, and garlic until smooth.

  • Simmer everything together: Pour the sauce over the chicken mixture in the skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook for 4–5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.

  • Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with cold water to form a slurry. Pour it into the skillet while stirring continuously. Let the sauce simmer for another 2–3 minutes until thickened and glossy.

  • Serve: Spoon over cooked rice and top with chopped green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot.

Notes

Chicken thighs add more flavor and retain moisture better than chicken breasts.

For a crispier texture, coat the chicken pieces lightly in cornstarch before frying.

You can caramelize the pineapple before adding it to the skillet for deeper flavor.

Add a pinch of chili flakes for heat or swap in sweet chili sauce for more complexity.