Why You’ll Love this Sweet & Savory Hawaiian Chicken
My favorite thing about this Hawaiian Chicken is how perfectly it balances sweet and savory flavors in every bite.
The combination of soy sauce and sugar creates that irresistible umami base, while pineapple adds tropical sweetness that’ll transport you straight to the islands. Can you imagine anything better than tender chicken soaked in that gorgeous marinade?
What really sells this dish, though, is its versatility. The colorful mix of green peppers, carrots, and onions not only looks beautiful but adds wonderful texture against the juicy chicken.
Served over rice, it’s a complete meal that’s both impressive and surprisingly simple.
What Ingredients are in Sweet & Savory Hawaiian Chicken?
Sweet and savory Hawaiian Chicken is a delicious tropical dish that brings together the perfect balance of flavors. The combination of soy sauce, ginger, and pineapple creates that unmistakable island-inspired taste that’s both comforting and exciting. Who wouldn’t want to enjoy a meal that transports you to paradise with every bite? This recipe requires several key ingredients that work together to create its signature flavor profile.
- 1 whole chicken, cut up, washed and dried
- 4 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sherry wine (cooking sherry is fine)
- 1 teaspoon ginger powder
- 6 tablespoons oil for frying
- 4-8 cloves garlic, chopped or minced
- 1 (20 ounce) can pineapple tidbits, undrained
- 1 cup additional pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced carrots
- 1 green pepper, cut into thin strips
- 1 medium onion, cut into wedges
- 3 cups cooked Minute Rice
When shopping for this recipe, quality matters. Fresh vegetables will give you the best texture and flavor, though in a pinch, frozen peppers and onions could work too.
For the pineapple components, while fresh pineapple might seem like a fancy upgrade, the canned version actually works perfectly here since you need both the fruit and the juice for different stages of cooking.
And don’t skimp on the garlic—the recipe suggests 4 cloves minimum, but doubling that to 8 really enhances the savory notes that complement the sweet pineapple so wonderfully.
How to Make this Sweet & Savory Hawaiian Chicken
Making Hawaiian Chicken is all about layering flavors through a simple marinade and strategic cooking process.
Begin by creating a flavorful marinade using 4 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1 tablespoon of sherry wine, and 1 teaspoon of ginger powder. Rub this mixture thoroughly all over your cut-up chicken pieces and let them absorb those wonderful flavors in the refrigerator for at least an hour. This marinating step is essential—it’s where all those savory elements begin to penetrate the meat, creating a foundation that will make your taste buds dance later.
Once your chicken has marinated, it’s time to move to the cooking phase.
Drain the chicken but don’t discard that precious marinade! Heat 6 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet and add 4 to 8 cloves of chopped garlic (honestly, why not go for all 8?). Fry the chicken until it’s nicely browned on all sides, which usually takes about 5-7 minutes per side. Now comes the magic—add the reserved marinade along with the juice from your 20-ounce can of pineapple tidbits plus an additional cup of pineapple juice. Let this mixture simmer for a full hour, adding more juice if needed to maintain a nice saucy consistency. The chicken becomes incredibly tender during this time, soaking up all those sweet and savory notes.
For the grand finale, about 10 minutes before serving, add the pineapple tidbits, 1/2 cup of thinly sliced carrots, 1 green pepper cut into strips, and 1 medium onion cut into wedges.
This timing is perfect—the vegetables and fruit soften just enough while maintaining their texture and vibrant colors. The contrast between the long-simmered chicken and the freshly added fruits and vegetables creates a beautiful complexity in both flavor and texture. For authentic stir-fry results with your vegetables, a Chinese wok burner provides the high heat needed for perfect caramelization and texture.
For perfectly uniform slices of vegetables that cook evenly, consider using a premium electric slicer to achieve professional-looking results in your Hawaiian chicken dish.
Serve this gorgeous creation over 3 cups of cooked Minute Rice, which will soak up all that delicious sauce.
Can you imagine a more perfect bite? The tender chicken, sweet pineapple, crisp-tender vegetables, and that incredible sauce coating fluffy rice—it’s like a Hawaiian vacation on your dinner plate.
Sweet & Savory Hawaiian Chicken Substitutions and Variations
While this classic recipe is already a crowd-pleaser, sometimes you’ll need to work with what’s in your pantry or accommodate dietary preferences.
No sherry on hand? Try a splash of rice vinegar or apple juice instead.
I find boneless chicken thighs work beautifully as a substitute for cut-up chicken—they stay so tender and juicy.
Swap in brown rice for a nuttier flavor and extra fiber, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
Vegetarians can substitute firm tofu or tempeh, just reduce the simmering time to about 20 minutes.
Can’t do pineapple? Mango offers a similar sweet-tangy profile.
What to Serve with Sweet & Savory Hawaiian Chicken
Although this Hawaiian Chicken is practically a meal in itself, pairing it with the right side dishes creates a truly memorable dinner experience.
I love serving it with a simple green salad dressed with sesame ginger vinaigrette – the crisp freshness balances the sweet-savory sauce beautifully.
Steamed broccoli or snow peas add a vibrant pop of color and texture.
Want to embrace the tropical theme? Try coconut rice instead of plain, or add a revitalizing fruit salad with mango and papaya on the side.
And don’t forget about bread! Warm Hawaiian rolls (naturally) are perfect for sopping up that irresistible sauce.
Final Thoughts
This Hawaiian chicken recipe has truly become one of my go-to dishes whenever I’m craving something that balances sweet and savory flavors perfectly.
The combination of soy sauce, pineapple, and ginger creates a tropical flavor profile that transports you straight to the islands with every bite.
What makes this dish special? It’s versatile enough for weeknight dinners yet impressive enough for guests.
The sauce, oh that sauce—thick, glossy, and bursting with flavor. It seeps into the rice, creating a bed of deliciousness for the tender chicken and crisp vegetables.
Try it once, and I guarantee it’ll become your family favorite too.
You can achieve a similar richness and depth by using Parmesan cheese to enhance the savory notes in your sauce.
For a complete meal similar to this approach, pair it with bow tie pasta in a creamy sauce and some fresh vegetables.
