This Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken is one of those easy chicken recipes that’s bursting with sweet and tangy flavor. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe blends juicy chicken with pineapple chunks in a sticky-sweet sauce that the whole family will love. If you’re looking for quick and easy recipes, this dish is your go-to. It’s also ideal if you’re after easy recipes for dinner, sweet easy recipes, or even easy chicken dinner recipes. Try this tropical twist and serve it over rice or with roasted veggies for a complete, satisfying meal!

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Recipe
3) Ingredients for Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken
4) How to Make Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken
5) Tips for Making Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken
6) Making Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken
8) Try these Dinners next!
9) Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken recipe is quick, flavorful, and perfect for weeknight dinners.
Uses a handful of simple ingredients including soy sauce, pineapple chunks, and chicken thighs.
Ideal for those searching for easy chicken recipes or tropical-inspired dinners.
Takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish.
Pairs perfectly with rice or noodles.

2) Easy Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Recipe

This Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken from Elena Cooks is the ultimate solution when you need a delicious dinner on the table fast. Featuring juicy chicken thighs, sweet pineapple chunks, and a savory-sweet sauce, it’s a simple yet satisfying option for busy nights. As far as easy chicken recipes go, this one is a winner thanks to its minimal prep, short cook time, and incredible flavor. With a tropical flair and a crowd-pleasing taste, it’s a great addition to your weekly dinner rotation. If you lo…

3) Ingredients for Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken

Chicken Thighs: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are ideal for this recipe as they stay juicy and flavorful. Cut them into bite-sized pieces for even cooking and perfect bites in every forkful.

Brown Sugar: This adds a lovely caramelized sweetness to the sauce, enhancing the pineapple and balancing the saltiness of the soy sauce.

Soy Sauce: Use low-sodium soy sauce to control salt levels while still adding rich umami flavor to your dish.

Garlic Powder: A pantry staple that adds a warm, garlicky depth to the sauce without needing to mince fresh garlic.

Ground Ginger: Brings subtle heat and traditional island-style zest, a key flavor in this tropical combination.

Cornstarch: Mixed with water to form a slurry, this thickens the sauce into a sticky glaze that clings perfectly to the chicken and pineapple.

Water: Used to help dissolve and activate the cornstarch for thickening the sauce.

Pineapple Chunks: Use canned or fresh pineapple for juicy, sweet bursts that elevate the dish with a touch of the tropics.

Vegetable Oil: Just enough for sautéing the chicken until golden brown and cooked through.

4) How to Make Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken

Step 1: Start by whisking together the brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic powder, and ground ginger in a medium bowl. This forms your sweet-and-savory Hawaiian sauce base. Make sure all the sugar is dissolved before moving on.

Step 2: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add your diced chicken thighs and sauté until golden brown on all sides and fully cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Stir occasionally for even browning.

Step 3: Pour the prepared sauce mixture over the cooked chicken in the skillet. Stir well to coat all the chicken pieces and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.

Step 4: Add in your pineapple chunks and let everything simmer together for an additional 3–4 minutes. The pineapple will slightly soften and infuse the sauce with even more tropical flavor.

Step 5: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to form a slurry. Stir this into the skillet and continue cooking for another minute or two until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency that beautifully coats the chicken.

Step 6: Serve hot over freshly cooked rice, noodles, or steamed veggies. Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired.

5) Tips for Making Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken

When cooking this dish, make sure to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs, as they tend to remain juicy and flavorful even with quick cooking. If you’re tempted to use chicken breast, it’s still possible, but be careful not to overcook it as it can dry out. One of the secrets to really nailing this recipe is giving the sauce enough time to thicken properly. The cornstarch slurry may seem optional, but it’s critical for getting that sticky, glossy finish we all love in easy chicken recipes. Als…

6) Making Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Ahead of Time

Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken is one of those easy meal recipes that lends itself beautifully to prep ahead. You can chop the chicken and mix the sauce the night before, storing them separately in airtight containers in the fridge. This way, all you have to do at dinnertime is cook everything in one skillet, which saves both time and effort. You can also fully cook the dish and store it for up to 3 days, reheating when needed. Just be sure to reheat gently over low heat and add a splash of water…

7) Storing Leftover Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken

To store leftovers, transfer any uneaten Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to four days. This dish reheats very well either on the stovetop or in the microwave. If you notice the sauce has thickened too much during storage, simply add a tablespoon of water when reheating to loosen it back up. If you’re preparing this as part of your weekly easy chicken dinner recipes, consider making a double batch so you can enjoy it multiple times. The sweet-savory s…

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9) Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken