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Hawaiian Chicken & Coconut Rice

Hawaiian Chicken & Coconut Rice: A Tropical Comfort Meal

A delicious Hawaiian Chicken & Coconut Rice recipe, bursting with tropical flavors and easy to make for dinner.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Marinating Time 3 hours
Total Time 4 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Hawaiian
Calories: 600

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken Marinade
  • 1 pound Chicken Thighs or chicken breast for a leaner option
  • 1/4 cup Soy Sauce or tamari for gluten-free
  • 1/4 cup Pineapple Juice or orange juice as a substitute
  • 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar or honey/maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon Rice Vinegar or apple cider vinegar in a pinch
  • 1 tablespoon Sesame Oil or olive oil for a neutral taste
  • 3 cloves Garlic (minced) fresh is best
  • 1 tablespoon Ginger (minced) fresh preferred
For the Rice
  • 1 cup Jasmine Rice brown rice requires longer cooking
  • 1 can Coconut Milk full-fat or light version
For the Vegetables
  • 1 medium Red Bell Pepper or broccoli/snap peas as substitutes
  • 1 medium Red Onion any onion can be used
For Garnish
  • 1/4 cup Cilantro or Green Onions omit if not available

Equipment

  • bowl
  • Saucepan
  • Skillet
  • pot

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. In a bowl, combine soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and minced ginger. Whisk until the sugar dissolves. Add the chicken thighs, ensuring they are well-coated in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 4 hours to enhance the flavors.
  2. Strain the reserved marinade into a saucepan and bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat. In a small bowl, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with water to create a slurry, then stir it into the simmering marinade. Cook until it thickens, about 3-5 minutes, creating a luscious glaze for your Hawaiian chicken.
  3. Rinse 1 cup of jasmine rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. In a pot, combine the rinsed rice with 1 can of coconut milk, 1 cup of water, a pinch of salt, and a teaspoon of sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes. Let it rest for 10 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
  4. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced red bell peppers and red onions, sautéing until they are tender and starting to caramelize, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
  5. In the same skillet, add the marinated chicken thighs, cooking for about 6-8 minutes per side until they are golden brown and cooked through (internal temp of 165°F). Once done, stir in the sautéed vegetables and pineapple chunks, pouring the prepared glaze over the mixture. Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes until heated through.
  6. To serve, spoon the creamy coconut rice onto a plate, topping it generously with the Hawaiian chicken mixture and vegetables. Garnish with chopped cilantro or green onions and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1plateCalories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 75gProtein: 25gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 80mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Feel free to customize proteins and vegetables to your liking. To elevate flavors, consider adding toasted coconut or sesame seeds as a topping.

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