Hawaiian Chicken And Rice
A flavorful Hawaiian-inspired chicken and rice dish with pineapple, vegetables, and a sweet-savory sauce, perfect for family dinners and those craving tropical flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth ⓘ
- 1 cup pineapple juice ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons sugar ⓘ
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce ⓘ
- Vegetable cooking spray ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon butter ⓘ
- 1 pound skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces ⓘ
- 1 cup uncooked rice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder ⓘ
- 1 cup green onions, sliced ⓘ
- 1 cup red bell pepper, chopped ⓘ
- 1 (8 oz) can pineapple tidbits, drained ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon chopped cashews ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine chicken broth, pineapple juice, sugar, ketchup, vinegar, and soy sauce in a bowl; stir well and set aside.
- Coat a Dutch oven with vegetable cooking spray and add butter. Place over medium-high heat until melted.
- Add chicken pieces and cook 4 minutes on each side or until browned. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.
- Add rice and garlic powder to the pan, and sauté for 3 minutes.
- Return the chicken to the pan, meaty side down.
- Pour in the chicken broth mixture and bring to a boil.
- Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 25 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Stir in green onions, red bell pepper, pineapple tidbits, and chopped cashews.
- Cover and cook an additional 5 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
Tips & Substitutions
For a sweeter flavor, consider adding more pineapple juice or using fresh pineapple chunks instead of canned. If you're short on time, precooked chicken can be used to speed up the cooking process. For a healthier option, substitute brown rice for white rice, but remember to adjust cooking times as brown rice typically takes longer to cook. This recipe is similar to other chicken recipes like Easy Chick N' Dump.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Hawaiian Chicken and Rice with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh garden salad for a balanced meal. For an extra tropical touch, consider pairing it with coconut rice or a fruit salad featuring mango and kiwi. This dish also pairs beautifully with Chicken With Cheese And Mushrooms for a hearty family dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a microwave-safe dish and cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through, until heated through. This dish can also be frozen for up to 2 months, just be sure to thaw before reheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Hawaiian Chicken And Rice contains roughly 638 calories, with 28g protein, 133g carbohydrates, and 6g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (128% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (57% of the Daily Value), and protein (55% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A and calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2866mg per serving (125% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, you can use brown rice, but be aware that it requires a longer cooking time. Adjust the liquid and cooking duration according to the rice package instructions. This will alter the texture slightly, giving the dish a nuttier flavor.
Is it possible to make this dish vegetarian?
Absolutely! You can substitute the chicken with tofu or tempeh, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. This will give you a delicious vegetarian version while still maintaining the tropical flavors of the dish.
Can I add other vegetables to this recipe?
Definitely! Feel free to include vegetables like snap peas, carrots, or zucchini for added nutrition and color. Just adjust the cooking time slightly to ensure all vegetables are cooked to your liking. This flexibility makes it easy to customize based on seasonal produce.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).