Easy Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken: A Delicious Blunder

Okay, you guys, who doesn’t love that perfect combo of sweet and savory? Seriously! That’s why I’m *obsessed* with my Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken recipe. And the best part? You can whip this up faster than you can order takeout. I’m all about easy weeknight dinners, and this one is a total lifesaver.

I first made this Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken for my kids (who are, let’s just say, picky eaters), and they gobbled it up! Seriously, clean plates all around. Since then, it’s become a regular in our rotation. My husband even requests it for his lunches! Trust me, if I can make it, you can make it – and your family will thank you for it. It’s such a simple but satisfying way to get that tropical flavor, even when you’re stuck at home.

Why You’ll Love This Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Recipe

Seriously, what’s not to love? This Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken is gonna be your new go-to because it’s:

• Super quick to make – like, we’re talking weeknight-dinner speedy!
• Crazy easy – even if you’re a beginner cook, you got this.
• The perfect balance of sweet and savory – that pineapple, yum!
• Totally family-friendly – even the picky eaters will be happy.
• Made with pretty good ingredients – hey, it’s got veggies and protein!

Basically, it’s deliciousness in a bowl, and it’s ready in a flash. 😉

Ingredients for Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken

Alright, let’s gather our goodies! Don’t worry, it’s mostly stuff you probably already have. I’ve broken it down to make it even easier. Trust me, having everything prepped makes cooking a breeze.

For the Chicken:

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces. (You can use chicken thighs too, more on that later!)
• 1 tbsp olive oil (For cooking the chicken – any neutral oil works fine.)
• 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces (Adds a little sweetness!)
• 1 onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 (20 oz) can pineapple chunks, drained, juice reserved (Don’t toss that juice!)

For the Sauce:

• 1/2 cup reserved pineapple juice
• 1/4 cup soy sauce (I use low sodium!)
• 2 tbsp brown sugar (Packed, for that caramel-y flavor.)
• 1 tbsp cornstarch (This is our thickener!)
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger (Adds a little zing!)
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder (Because everything’s better with garlic, right?)
• Cooked rice, for serving (Your fave kind!)

How to Make Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken: Step-by-Step

Okay, here we go! Get ready for some seriously easy cooking. I promise, even if you’re not a pro, this Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken is totally doable. Just follow along, and you’ll be chowing down in no time!

1. First things first, heat up that skillet! Grab a large skillet or wok (I love using my wok for this!), and drizzle in about a tablespoon of olive oil. Crank the heat to medium-high – we want that chicken to get nice and browned.

2. Chicken time! Add your chicken pieces to the hot skillet. Don’t overcrowd the pan, or they’ll steam instead of brown. You might need to do this in batches. Cook the chicken until it’s cooked through (no pink inside!) and browned on all sides. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Once it’s done, take the chicken out of the skillet and set it aside – we’ll need it later.

3. Veggies up! Toss those bell peppers and onion into the skillet. Cook them until they’re softened, usually about 5 minutes or so. They should be tender-crisp – nobody likes mushy veggies! You can add a splash more oil if the pan seems dry.

4. Sauce magic! In a bowl (a small one is fine!), whisk together that reserved pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, ginger, and garlic powder. Make sure there are no cornstarch clumps – nobody wants lumpy sauce! Whisk it good!

5. Sauce it up! Pour that amazing sauce over the veggies in the skillet. Turn the heat down a bit (medium is good) and bring it to a simmer. Cook it until the sauce has thickened up, usually just a few minutes (about 2-3). Keep stirring so it doesn’t stick or burn – nobody wants burnt sauce either!

6. Pineapple party! Add those pineapple chunks and the cooked chicken back into the skillet. Give it all a good stir to heat everything through. This should only take a minute or two.

7. Serve it up! Load up some cooked rice (white, brown, jasmine – whatever you like!) into bowls and spoon that amazing Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken right on top. Boom! Dinner’s served!

Tips for the Best Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken

Okay, wanna take your Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken to the next level? Of course, you do! Here are my top little secrets to make it *amazing* every single time:

• Pineapple Power: Fresh pineapple is great if you’ve got it, but canned is totally fine (and easier!). Just make sure you drain it well. And don’t skip reserving that juice! It’s key for the sauce.
• Chicken TLC: Nobody likes dry chicken! Don’t overcook it. Once it’s browned and cooked through, get it out of the skillet. Adding it back at the end keeps it juicy and tender.
• Sauce Boss: Taste the sauce! Not sweet enough? Add a *tiny* bit more brown sugar. Too sweet? A splash of soy sauce will balance it out. Want some kick? Red pepper flakes are your friend! Seriously, adjust it to *your* taste buds.

Trust me, these little tweaks make a BIG difference!

Serving Suggestions for Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken

Alright, so you’ve got this amazing Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken… what do you serve with it? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! First off, you *gotta* have rice. White rice, brown rice, jasmine rice – whatever floats your boat. It soaks up that glorious sauce!

For veggies, I’m a big fan of steamed broccoli or snow peas. They’re easy and add a pop of green. Or, for something a little fresher, a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette is always a winner. Honestly, anything goes, but those are my go-to’s!

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips for Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken

Life’s busy, I get it! Good news: this Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken is perfect for making ahead. You can totally prep the chicken and veggies, and whisk together the sauce, earlier in the day. Just keep ’em separate and toss it all together when you’re ready to cook.

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze it! Just let it cool completely before popping it in a freezer-safe container. It’ll keep for about 2-3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave. It might be a *tad* softer after freezing, but it’ll still be delicious!

Frequently Asked Questions About Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken

Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are a few of the most common things people ask me about this Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken:

Can I use canned pineapple?

Absolutely! Like I said before, canned pineapple is my go-to for ease. Just make sure you drain it well, but save that juice for the sauce! Fresh is great too if you have it, but canned works just as well in a pinch.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Totally! Chicken thighs are a great substitute. They’re a little more flavorful and stay super moist. Just cook them until they’re cooked through, just like you would with chicken breasts. You might need to adjust the cooking time slightly, so keep an eye on them!

Can I make it spicier?

Heck yes! If you like a little kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce. You could also add a dash of sriracha or your favorite hot sauce. Start small and taste as you go, because you can always add more, but you can’t take it away!

Can I add other vegetables?

Go for it! This Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken is super versatile. Feel free to add other veggies like broccoli florets, sliced carrots, or snap peas. Just toss them in with the bell peppers and onions. Just remember that adding too many extra veggies all at once might impact the cook time and water to the other veggies, so you might want to cook them seperate before adding to the wok

Estimated Nutritional Information for Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken

Okay, so here’s the lowdown on what you’re getting, nutrition-wise! Keep in mind, these are just estimates (ya know, depending on the exact brands and amounts you use). You’re looking at roughly:

Enjoyed This Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Recipe? Leave a Comment Below!

So, did you try it? What did you think? I’d LOVE to hear from you! Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out. And don’t forget to give the recipe a star rating – it helps other people find it! Sharing is caring, so if you loved it, share it with your friends on social media! Happy cooking!

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