Island Style Chicken
Island Style Chicken offers a vibrant combination of sweet pineapple, tangy vinegar, soy sauce, and tender chicken, all simmered to perfection. Its tropical flavors make it a delightful dish for casual dinners or entertaining guests, pairing beautifully with rice for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Drain pineapple chunks, reserving the syrup.
- In a skillet, brown the chicken in shortening.
- Pour off the fat.
- Add reserved pineapple syrup, chicken broth, vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, and minced garlic.
- Cover and cook over low heat for 40 minutes.
- Add green pepper and pineapple chunks.
- Cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the chicken is done, stirring occasionally.
- In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and water.
- Gradually stir the cornstarch mixture into the sauce.
- Cook, stirring until thickened.
- Serve over cooked parsleyed rice.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, marinate the chicken in the vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic for a few hours before cooking. If you don’t have chicken broth, you can substitute it with vegetable broth or water mixed with bouillon cubes. For a thicker sauce, increase the cornstarch slightly. This dish pairs beautifully with Baked Hawaiian Chicken for a tropical dinner theme.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Island Style Chicken over a bed of cooked parsleyed rice, which complements the sweet and savory flavors. For a complete meal, consider pairing it with a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables to balance the richness. You can also serve it with a side of egg and cheese rarebit for a comforting touch.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover Island Style Chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the chicken and sauce in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. You can also microwave it in short intervals, covering it to retain moisture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Island Style Chicken contains roughly 338 calories, with 4g protein, 61g carbohydrates, and 8g fat. It is a good source of vitamin C (17% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2098mg per serving (91% 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 boneless chicken for this recipe?
Yes, boneless chicken can be used for a quicker cooking time. Just ensure to adjust the cooking duration, as boneless pieces will cook faster than bone-in chicken. This will help maintain juicy and tender meat.
What can I substitute for the brown sugar?
If you don’t have brown sugar, you can substitute it with white sugar mixed with a bit of molasses for a similar flavor. Alternatively, honey or maple syrup can also work, but adjust the vinegar slightly to maintain balance.
Can I add other vegetables to this dish?
Definitely! Feel free to add vegetables like carrots, snap peas, or even broccoli for extra nutrition. Just add them in along with the green pepper to ensure everything cooks evenly and stays vibrant.
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).