Chicken • 25 min • Healthy
Sweet, tangy, colourful, and perfect for busy weeknights. A vibrant Hawaiian Chicken Bowl featuring juicy chicken cooked in a sweet-tangy Hawaiian-inspired glaze, paired with rice, pineapple, and fresh veggies. This fast and flavourful dish brings warm tropical notes to your table in just 25 minutes — wholesome, colourful, and incredibly satisfying.
Ingredients:
Chicken & Sauce
- 1 lb chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, drained)
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey or brown sugar
- 2 tbsp pineapple juice (reserved from can or fresh)
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water (optional, for thickening)
- 1 tsp sesame oil (optional)
Vegetables & Toppings
- 1 cup diced bell peppers (any color)
- ½ red onion, sliced
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Sesame seeds
- Fresh cilantro (optional)
To Serve
- Steamed white or brown rice
- Lime wedges
- Extra pineapple chunks
Step by Step Instructions
1. Mix the Hawaiian sauce
In a small bowl, whisk soy sauce, honey, pineapple juice, rice vinegar, and garlic.
This creates a sweet-savory base with bright tropical notes.
2. Sauté the chicken
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high.
Add the chicken and cook 5–7 minutes until browned and cooked through.
3. Add peppers and onions
Stir in bell peppers and red onion.
Cook 2–3 minutes until they soften slightly but stay crisp for texture.
4. Add pineapple + sauce
Add pineapple chunks and pour the sauce over the chicken.
Simmer 2–3 minutes until flavors combine.
5. Optional thickening
If you prefer a glossy, sticky glaze:
Mix cornstarch with water, add to the skillet, and cook 1 more minute until thickened.
6. Assemble bowls
Serve chicken over warm rice, spoon extra sauce on top, and finish with green onions, sesame seeds, and cilantro.
7. Flavor boost
Drizzle with sesame oil or a squeeze of lime before serving.
Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Equipment List
- Large skillet
- Knife and cutting board
- Small bowl or jar for sauce
- Rice cooker or pot
Notes & Substitutions
- Protein swaps: Use shrimp, tofu, pork, or rotisserie chicken.
- Vegetable variations: Add zucchini, snap peas, or broccoli.
- Sweetness level: Reduce honey for a savory bowl. Add more pineapple for natural sweetness.
- Low-sodium option: Use low-sodium soy sauce.
- Spicy variations: Add chili flakes or a drizzle of sriracha.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerator: Up to 3 days
Freezer: Up to 2 months (freeze rice separately for best texture)
Reheat: Warm in a skillet with 1–2 tbsp water to revive the sauce
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Sweet, tangy, kid-friendly flavors
- Uses affordable ingredients
- Perfect balance of protein, fruit, and veggies
- Fast weeknight dinner
- Great for meal prep
- Beautiful, colorful bowl for Pinterest traffic
You may also enjoy our Thai Peanut Chicken Bowl, try the One-Pot Roasted Veggie Bowl, or go for a 15 Min Garlic Butter Salmon.