Hello, fellow food enthusiasts! I’m Nahid Olivia, your go-to guide at OliviaCookery, where we create marvels that fill your kitchen with excitement without the bustle.
Today, I am excited to share one of my favorite recipes: the Hawaii Garlic Chicken Recipe.
Hawaii Garlic Chicken Recipe has a special place in my heart. It brings back memories of sunny afternoons in Hawaii and the lively flavors that make luncheons an adventure.
Hawaiian Garlic Chicken Recipe
Recipe Overview
- Cuisine: Hawaiian-inspired
- Course: Main Dish
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Yield: Serves 4
- Calories per Serving: Approximately 420
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1/2 cup potato starch
- 1/3 cup pineapple juice
- 2 tbsp. sesame oil
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp. rice vinegar
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- Cooked rice (for serving)
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken:
- Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Pat dry with paper towels and coat evenly with potato starch.
- Cook the Chicken:
- Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
- Make the Sauce:
- Reduce the heat to medium in the same skillet and add minced garlic. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Combine:
- Return the chicken to the skillet and toss to coat it evenly with the sauce. Simmer for another 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Sprinkle sliced green onions over the top and serve hot with cooked rice.
Tips and Variations
- What Kind of Chicken Should I Use? Chicken thighs are a fantastic choice for their juiciness, but chicken breasts work well, too, if you prefer leaner meat.
- How Long Do You Marinate Chicken? This recipe doesn’t require marination, making it perfect for weeknight dinners. However, to enhance the flavor, marinate the chicken in the sauce (without cooking it) for 30 minutes.
- Variations:
- Add a kick of spice with a pinch of red chili flakes.
- For extra crispiness, fry the chicken in batches.
- Substitute potato starch with cornstarch if needed.
- Storage Tips: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet for the best texture.
Serving Suggestions
This Hawaii Garlic Chicken Recipe pairs beautifully with steamed jasmine or coconut rice. Add a side of stir-fried vegetables or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
Video Tutorial
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Hawaiian Chicken Sauce?
Hawaiian chicken sauce typically combines sweet and savory flavors, often featuring pineapple juice, soy sauce, garlic, and brown sugar. It’s a versatile sauce that complete perfectly complements chicken.
Can I Bake This Recipe?
Yes! To make a baked Hawaii Garlic Chicken recipe, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the chicken pieces in a baking dish, pour the sauce over them, and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked.
Is This Recipe Gluten-Free?
To make it gluten-free, use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative and ensure the pot to starch or cornstarch you see-free.
Can I Add Shrimp to This Dish?
Absolutely! Shrimp cooks quickly, so add it to the sauce in the last 3-4 minutes of cooking for a delightful surf-and-turf variation.
Final Thought
In my kitchen, this Hawaiian garlic chicken recipe has become a favorite. It is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special friend gathering. The combination of sweet, savory, and vibrant colors makes every meal feel like a mini-vacation to the islands. Happy cooking!
Hawaii Garlic Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to recreate this island favorite:
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1/2 cup potato starch
- 1/3 cup pineapple juice
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 green onions sliced (for garnish)
- Cooked rice for serving
Instructions
Prep the Chicken
- Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Pat dry with paper towels and coat evenly with potato starch.
Cook the Chicken
- Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
Make the Sauce
- Reduce the heat to medium in the same skillet and add the minced garlic. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
Combine
- Return the chicken to the skillet and toss to coat it evenly with the sauce. Simmer for another 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Garnish and Serve
- Sprinkle sliced green onions over the top and serve hot with cooked rice.
Notes
Boneless and skinless chicken breasts have been used for this specific recipe, as they are a leaner option. Chicken thighs can also be substituted, as they provide rich flavors and juicier textures. To ensure they are done cooking, changes in cooking time should be applied. 2. The Magic of Marinates
Enhance Flavours: To deepen the flavors in this recipe further, marinate the chicken in the sauce components—soy sauce, pineapple juice, honey, and garlic—for at least half an hour. However, overnight in the refrigerator is ideal for optimum flavor absorption by the meat. 3. Perfection with Pineapple
Fresh vs. canned: Fresh pineapple offers beautiful texture and an excellent burst of flavor in addition to the canned variety that works six ways from Sunday. For canned, instead, drain the juice from the pineapple and keep it for the sauce; this preserves the right consistency.
Caramelize toward: To add a great caramelized flavor, golden-brown the pineapple while cooking it separately before integrating it into the sauce. This enhances the sweet taste with contrasting textures for a pleasant experience. 4. Sauce consistency
Increase Slightly: To thicken the sauce, slightly increase the corn flour slurry. Reduce the corn flour or increase pineapple juice or water to lighten it. Other Options to Thicken: Arrowroot powder or tapioca starch are alternatives for corn flour; if you cannot use them, they can have a similar thickening effect. 5. Make it Even Tastier
Hotter: Add a pinch of dried red chili pepper or a drizzle of hot sauce to introduce some heat for the spicy-loving people around.
Put creative blends of fresh herbs like cilantro, basil, or mint to treat the dish to something else. 6. Serving Suggestions
Perfect Pairings: This Hawaii Garlic Chicken perfectly goes with a nice cold beer.
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