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Delicious Hawaiian Chicken served with Coconut Rice for a tropical dinner

Hawaiian Chicken & Coconut Rice

A tropical dinner featuring juicy chicken, vibrant vegetables, and creamy coconut rice, creating a meal that feels like a vacation.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Hawaiian, Tropical
Servings 4 servings
Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken Marinade

  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup pineapple juice reserve 1/4 cup for glaze
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp ginger, grated
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch, dissolved in 2 tbsp cold water

For the Chicken & Vegetables

  • 2 lbs chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces chicken thighs recommended for juiciness
  • 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
  • 1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 large yellow bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 medium red onion, cut into wedges
  • to taste Salt and pepper
  • 1 20-oz can pineapple, drained

For the Coconut Rice

  • 2 cups jasmine rice rinsed until water runs clear
  • 1 can coconut milk (13.5 oz)
  • 1 1/4 cups water
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp sugar

For Garnishing

  • 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
  • 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

Instructions
 

Prepare Chicken & Marinade

  • Cut chicken thighs into 1-inch pieces; pat dry and place in a large bowl.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger.
  • Pour two-thirds of marinade over chicken, coat well, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 4 hours. Reserve remaining marinade for glaze.

Craft Glaze

  • Pour reserved marinade into a small saucepan. Add 1/4 cup pineapple juice if needed.
  • Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then reduce to low.
  • Whisk cornstarch with cold water to form a slurry. Slowly add slurry to simmering marinade, whisking continuously, until thickened and syrupy (1-2 minutes). Remove from heat.

Prepare Coconut Rice

  • Rinse jasmine rice under cold water until clear.
  • In a heavy-bottomed pot, combine rinsed rice, coconut milk, water, salt, and sugar. Stir once.
  • Bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Stir once more, reduce heat to lowest, cover tightly, and simmer undisturbed for 18 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and let rest, covered, for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and keep covered until serving.

Cook Chicken & Vegetables

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet/wok over medium-high heat. Add bell peppers and red onion; sauté 3-5 minutes until tender-crisp. Remove and set aside.
  • Add remaining olive oil to the skillet. Remove chicken from marinade (discard used marinade). Cook chicken in a hot skillet in a single layer (in batches if needed) for 4-6 minutes, flipping until golden brown and cooked through.

Combine & Glaze

  • Return sautéed vegetables and drained pineapple to the skillet with the cooked chicken.
  • Pour prepared thickened glaze over ingredients. Toss gently to coat and simmer 1-2 minutes to meld flavors.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Assemble & Serve

  • Scoop coconut rice onto serving plates.
  • Top with Hawaiian chicken, vegetables, and pineapple, ensuring plenty of glaze.
  • Garnish with chopped cilantro, toasted sesame seeds, and sliced green onions. Serve immediately.

Notes

Start the rice before prepping the chicken to ensure it cooks properly. Cook chicken in batches if the skillet is crowded for better browning.
Keyword Chicken Recipe, Coconut Rice, Easy Weeknight Meal, Hawaiian Chicken, Tropical Dinner