Hawaiian Chicken and Pineapple 🍍🍗

Sweet, savory, and perfectly glazed with tropical flavor

Introduction

This Hawaiian Chicken and Pineapple is a vibrant, feel-good dish that combines juicy chicken with caramelized pineapple and a sticky, sweet-savory sauce.

It’s quick, colorful, and full of tropical flavor—perfect for weeknight dinners or when you want something a little different but still easy.

Ingredients

Chicken:

500g chicken breast or thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces)
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Sauce:

1/3 cup pineapple juice
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp honey or brown sugar
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 tbsp ketchup
1 tsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (slurry for thickening)

Add-ins:

1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, drained)
1 bell pepper (sliced)
1 small onion (sliced)

Optional Extras:

Chili flakes (for heat)
Ginger (for extra depth)
Green onions for garnish
Sesame seeds

Substitutions:

Chicken → shrimp or tofu
Pineapple → mango (different twist)
Soy sauce → low-sodium or tamari
Honey → maple syrup

Timing

Preparation time: 10–15 minutes
Cooking time: 15–20 minutes
Total time: ~30 minutes

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Cook chicken

Heat oil in a pan. Season chicken and cook until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.

Step 2: Cook vegetables

In the same pan, sauté onion and bell pepper until slightly tender.

Step 3: Add pineapple

Add pineapple chunks and cook until lightly caramelized.

Step 4: Make sauce

Add pineapple juice, soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ketchup. Stir and simmer.

Step 5: Thicken sauce

Add cornstarch slurry and cook until sauce thickens.

Step 6: Combine

Return chicken to the pan and toss everything in the sauce.

Step 7: Serve

Garnish with green onions or sesame seeds and serve hot.

Nutritional Information (approx per serving)

Calories: 350–500 kcal
Protein: 30–40g
Carbohydrates: 25–40g
Fat: 10–18g

Healthier Alternatives

Use chicken breast for lean protein
Reduce sugar/honey
Add more vegetables
Use low-sodium soy sauce
Skip cornstarch for lighter sauce

Serving Suggestions

Serve over white or brown rice
Pair with quinoa
Add to lettuce wraps
Serve with stir-fried vegetables
Top with sesame seeds

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overcooking chicken (gets dry)
Using too much sugar (overly sweet)
Not caramelizing pineapple (less flavor)
Skipping thickening step (watery sauce)
Adding sauce too early (burn risk)

Storage Tips

Store in fridge up to 4 days
Reheat in pan for best texture
Freeze up to 2 months
Add splash of water when reheating
Store in airtight container