This Baked Sweet Hawaiian Chicken is a delicious fusion of sweet and savory, with tender chicken baked in a luscious pineapple sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special gatherings, this dish will transport your taste buds to a tropical paradise. Serve it over steamed rice for the ultimate Hawaiian-inspired meal.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil (for pan-frying)
For the Sauce:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice (from a can of pineapple chunks)
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (slurry for thickening)
For Garnish:
- 1/2 cup pineapple chunks
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds (optional)
Equipment
- Large skillet
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
- Coat the chicken pieces in cornstarch, shaking off any excess.
- Dip each piece into the beaten eggs, ensuring it’s fully coated.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Pan-fry the chicken pieces in batches until golden brown on the outside (they don’t need to be fully cooked). Transfer the chicken to the prepared baking dish.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
- In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, ketchup, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Add the cornstarch slurry and whisk until the sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes.
Step 4: Combine and Bake
- Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken in the baking dish.
- Add pineapple chunks on top for extra flavor.
- Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure the chicken is evenly coated.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving. Pair with steamed white rice, fried rice, or sautéed vegetables.
Tips
- For a crispier chicken, bake for an additional 5 minutes under the broiler.
- Use chicken thighs for an even juicier result.
- Add bell peppers or snap peas for extra crunch and color.
- Double the sauce if you prefer a saucier dish!
This Baked Sweet Hawaiian Chicken is a perfect balance of sweet and savory with a tropical twist. Easy to make and incredibly flavorful, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will have your family and guests coming back for seconds. Bring a slice of the islands to your dinner table with this irresistible recipe!
Baked Sweet Hawaiian Chicken Recipe – A Tropical Dinner Delight
Equipment
- Large skillet
- 9x13-inch baking dish
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil for pan-frying
- For the Sauce:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice from a can of pineapple chunks
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes optional, for a little heat
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water slurry for thickening
- For Garnish:
- 1/2 cup pineapple chunks
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds optional
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
- Coat the chicken pieces in cornstarch, shaking off any excess.
- Dip each piece into the beaten eggs, ensuring it’s fully coated.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Pan-fry the chicken pieces in batches until golden brown on the outside (they don't need to be fully cooked). Transfer the chicken to the prepared baking dish.
- Step 3: Make the Sauce
- In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, ketchup, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Add the cornstarch slurry and whisk until the sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes.
- Step 4: Combine and Bake
- Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken in the baking dish.
- Add pineapple chunks on top for extra flavor.
- Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure the chicken is evenly coated.
- Step 5: Garnish and Serve
- Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving. Pair with steamed white rice, fried rice, or sautéed vegetables.
Leave a Reply