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