Juicy Hawaiian Chicken with Coconut Rice Recipe: Island Magic

Hawaiian chicken offers a vibrant culinary journey that transports you to tropical paradise with its bold, sweet-savory flavors.

Island-inspired ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of taste that tingles your senses and awakens memories of sun-drenched beaches.

Tender protein meets luscious marinades, infusing each bite with layers of complexity and depth that challenge traditional meal expectations.

The harmonious blend of ingredients elevates a simple dish into an extraordinary dining experience that feels both familiar and excitingly new.

Bright, zesty elements intermingle with rich, creamy undertones, promising a meal that satisfies hunger and sparks joy.

Textures play against each other, from succulent meat to fluffy grains, ensuring every forkful delivers maximum deliciousness.

Comfort and adventure merge seamlessly in this recipe, inviting you to embark on a delectable culinary expedition.

Save and Reheat Hawaiian Chicken Leftovers

• Refrigerate: Transfer remaining chicken and rice to airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Store separately to maintain texture. Consume within 3-4 days.
• Reheat Chicken: Warm chicken in microwave at 50% power to prevent drying. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to keep moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Revive Rice: Sprinkle a few drops of water over rice before microwaving. Cover with damp paper towel and reheat in 30-second increments. Fluff with fork to restore fluffy texture.

Tropical Sides to Pair with Coconut Chicken

• Explore Tropical Cocktail Companions: Pair this Hawaiian chicken with a refreshing Mai Tai or Piña Colada to enhance the tropical flavor profile. The rum-based drinks complement the sweet and tangy marinade, creating a vibrant island-inspired dining experience.
• Discover Zesty Wine Matches: Select a crisp Riesling or Gewürztraminer with slight sweetness to balance the chicken's bold marinade. These white wines cut through the richness while highlighting the dish's pineapple and coconut undertones.
• Craft Complementary Side Salads: Prepare a light Asian-inspired coleslaw with rice vinegar dressing or a cucumber-mango salad. These fresh sides provide crunch and acidity that perfectly offset the rich, caramelized chicken and creamy coconut rice.
• Brew Tropical Mocktail Options: Mix a virgin pineapple-ginger spritzer or passion fruit cooler for non-alcoholic guests. These vibrant drinks mirror the recipe's Hawaiian essence without alcoholic components, ensuring everyone enjoys a delicious beverage pairing.

Variations of Hawaiian Chicken with a Twist

• Tropical Teriyaki Fusion: Swap the marinade for a homemade teriyaki sauce, adding ginger and sesame oil for an extra Asian-inspired flavor profile.
• Spicy Mango Kick: Replace pineapple juice with fresh mango puree and add a touch of sriracha or red pepper flakes to create a fiery tropical version.
• Herb-Infused Island Style: Incorporate fresh herbs like cilantro and mint into the marinade, and use lime juice instead of pineapple juice for a zesty, aromatic twist.
• Mediterranean Coconut Crossover: Blend Greek yogurt with coconut milk for the rice, and add oregano and lemon zest to the chicken marinade for a Mediterranean-inspired take on the classic recipe.

Hawaiian Chicken with Coconut Rice – Recipe Highlights

• Burst with Tropical Flavors: Experience a mouthwatering explosion of sweet, tangy pineapple and savory chicken that transports you straight to Hawaiian paradise with every single bite.
• Master Easy Grill Techniques: Create restaurant-quality results using simple grilling methods that work with any cooking surface, making this recipe accessible for home cooks of all skill levels.
• Quick Weeknight Dinner Solution: Prepare this delicious meal in under an hour, with most time spent marinating, allowing you to enjoy a gourmet-style dinner without complicated preparation steps.
• Nutrient-Packed One-Pot Meal: Combine protein-rich chicken, fresh pineapple, and creamy coconut rice for a balanced dish that delivers incredible taste and nutritional value in a single serving.

Ingredients for Hawaiian Chicken & Coconut Rice

• Chicken Tenderloins: Lean and tender cut, perfect for quick marinating and grilling, choose fresh and high-quality meat for best results.

• Pineapple Juice, Soy Sauce: Provides sweet and savory base flavor, helps tenderize the chicken and add depth to the dish.
• Ketchup, Brown Sugar: Creates a rich, sweet-tangy balance in the marinade, helps caramelization during cooking.
• Fresh Garlic: Adds aromatic and robust flavor, choose fresh cloves for maximum taste.
• Canola Oil: Helps bind marinade ingredients and ensures even coating on chicken.

• Honey: Provides a glossy, sweet glaze for the chicken, enhances caramelization and adds shine.
• Fresh Pineapple: Adds tropical sweetness and light char, choose ripe and fragrant pineapple for best flavor.
• Fresh Parsley: Offers fresh, bright garnish, adds color and light herbal note.

• White Rice: Serves as base for the dish, choose long-grain variety for best texture.
• Coconut Milk: Adds creamy, tropical flavor to rice, provides rich and smooth consistency.
• Water: Helps cook rice and balance coconut milk's richness.

Step-by-Step Hawaiian Chicken with Coconut Rice

Step 1: Craft the Flavor-Packed Marinade

• Pineapple juice
• Soy sauce
• Ketchup
• Brown sugar
• Fresh garlic
• Canola oil

Blend everything until silky smooth and well combined.

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken

Pour the marinade over chicken tenderloins in a ziplock bag. Massage the bag gently to ensure every piece gets coated. Refrigerate for minimum 1 hour or up to 24 hours for maximum flavor explosion.

Step 3: Prepare Grilling Station

• Grill pan
• Cast iron grill
• Charcoal grill
• Electric grill
• Non-stick skillet

Lightly grease the cooking surface to prevent sticking.

Step 4: Grill the Chicken

Cook chicken until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Flip midway to ensure even cooking. Once done, brush honey on both sides for a sweet caramelized finish.

Step 5: Caramelize Pineapple Slices

Cut fresh pineapple into 1/2-1 inch thick slices. Grill until edges become lightly charred and golden brown.

Step 6: Create Creamy Coconut Rice

Stovetop Method:

Combine rice, coconut milk, and water in a pot. Bring to boil, then reduce heat. Cover with tight lid and simmer for 17-20 minutes.

Rice Cooker Method:

Use equal parts coconut milk and water. Follow manufacturer’s instructions.

Step 7: Assemble and Serve

Layer coconut rice on plate. Top with grilled chicken and pineapple slices. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley for a zesty touch.

Enjoy your tropical culinary adventure!

Expert Tips for Coconut Rice and Juicy Chicken

• Maximize Marinade Magic: Let chicken soak in the marinade overnight to infuse deeper, more complex tropical flavors that will make your taste buds dance.
• Grill Temperature Trick: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat to achieve those beautiful caramelized grill marks without burning the chicken.
• Moisture Mastery: Rest the grilled chicken for 5 minutes after cooking to lock in juices and ensure each bite remains tender and succulent.
• Pineapple Perfection: Pat pineapple slices dry before grilling to help them caramelize beautifully and prevent steaming instead of charring.
• Coconut Rice Hack: Rinse rice before cooking to remove excess starch, guaranteeing fluffy, perfectly separated grains that complement the juicy chicken.

Hawaiian Chicken with Coconut Rice Recipe

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4.6 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Tropical Hawaiian chicken brings island flavors to your dinner table with juicy marinated meat and creamy coconut rice. Pineapple-infused marinade and tender grilled chicken create a perfect balance of sweet and savory that transports you to Pacific paradise.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 1 ½ pounds (680 grams) chicken tenderloins (7–8 pieces)
• 5–6 cloves fresh garlic

Sauce and Liquid Ingredients:

• ¼ cup pineapple juice
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons canola oil

Produce and Garnish:

• ½ fresh ripe pineapple, sliced
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

Coconut Rice Ingredients:

• 1 cup basmati or jasmine rice
• ¾ cup coconut milk
• ¾ cup water

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Instructions

1. Craft a vibrant marinade by blending pineapple juice, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, garlic, and canola oil until completely smooth in a food processor.
2. Transfer the liquid mixture into a ziplock bag, add chicken tenderloins, and thoroughly massage to ensure even coating. Refrigerate for minimum 1 hour or up to 24 hours for maximum flavor infusion.
3. Prepare a grill surface by lightly greasing with oil – options include grill pan, cast iron, charcoal, electric grill, or non-stick skillet.
4. Position marinated chicken on heated surface, cooking until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Rotate midway through cooking to guarantee uniform heat distribution.
5. After chicken achieves perfect doneness, generously brush both sides with honey, creating a glossy caramelized exterior.
6. Cut fresh pineapple into half-inch thick slices, placing directly on grill surface to develop light char marks and enhance natural sweetness.
7. In a pot, combine rice, coconut milk, and water. Bring to rolling boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, covering with tight-fitting lid. Simmer undisturbed for 17-20 minutes.
8. Alternatively, utilize rice cooker following manufacturer’s guidance, substituting water with equal parts coconut milk.
9. Plate by creating a fluffy coconut rice foundation, topping with grilled chicken and caramelized pineapple slices.
10. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over dish for bright, herbaceous finish.

Notes

• Marinate chicken for maximum flavor by letting it soak in the pineapple-based mixture for up to 24 hours before cooking.
• Check chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F to ensure safe and perfectly cooked meat using a meat thermometer.
• Grill pineapple slices until lightly charred to enhance natural sweetness and add smoky caramelized notes to the dish.
• Use a 1:1 ratio of coconut milk to water when preparing rice for creamy, rich texture and tropical taste.
• Opt for fresh garlic in the marinade to boost overall flavor profile and create depth in the Hawaiian-inspired chicken.
• Allow chicken to rest briefly after grilling to help retain moisture and ensure tender, juicy meat.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Hawaiian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 73 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg