Mei Ling'S Hawaiian Chicken
Hawaiian Chicken combines tender cooked chicken with sweet pineapple chunks, water chestnuts, and a tangy, slightly sweet sauce infused with ginger. Perfect for a quick, flavorful meal that pairs beautifully with rice and crunchy nuts, making it ideal for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce ⓘ
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup brown sugar ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons oil ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons flour ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 4 cups cooked chicken, cut up ⓘ
- 20 oz. can pineapple chunks, drained
- 1 can sliced water chestnuts ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon chopped candied ginger or ground ginger ⓘ
- cooked rice ⓘ
- toasted almonds or macadamia nuts ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine barbecue sauce, orange juice, brown sugar, oil, flour, and salt in a skillet; mix well.
- Cook, stirring, until the mixture comes to a boil and thickens slightly.
- Add cooked chicken, pineapple chunks, sliced water chestnuts, and chopped ginger.
- Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Serve over cooked rice and sprinkle with toasted almonds or macadamia nuts.
Tips & Substitutions
For a tropical twist, you can substitute the pineapple chunks with mango or peach slices. If you prefer a spicier kick, add a dash of cayenne pepper to the sauce. Using leftover rotisserie chicken makes this dish even quicker to prepare. Ensure to stir the sauce frequently while it thickens to prevent sticking.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Mei Ling's Hawaiian Chicken over a bed of cooked rice for a satisfying meal. Pair it with a simple side salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced plate. It also pairs beautifully with Chicken And Ham Party Salads for a delightful gathering. Garnish with additional toasted nuts for an extra crunch.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. You can also microwave it in short intervals, but be careful not to overheat, which can dry out the chicken.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Mei Ling'S Hawaiian Chicken contains roughly 535 calories, with 12g protein, 37g carbohydrates, and 40g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (40% of the Daily Value), protein (25% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (24% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron and potassium. It also contributes 7g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
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 fresh chicken instead of cooked?
Yes, you can use fresh chicken, but you will need to cook it thoroughly before adding it to the sauce. Dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces and sauté it in the skillet until fully cooked, then proceed with the recipe as directed.
Is there a gluten-free option for this recipe?
To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch for thickening. Additionally, ensure that your barbecue sauce is gluten-free, as some brands may contain gluten-containing ingredients.
What type of rice works best with this dish?
Jasmine rice or basmati rice works wonderfully with Mei Ling's Hawaiian Chicken, as their fragrant qualities complement the tropical flavors. You could also use brown rice for a healthier option, which adds a nutty flavor and more fiber to your meal.
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).