Hawaii Garlic Chicken Recipe – This garlic chicken is an island inspired sensation with tender, moist chicken and a garlic glaze that is absolutely to die for.
I first encountered this dish in a visit to Oahu, on which the aroma of garlic sizzling in butter wafted over me as I passed the beachside food trucks.
IT WAS HOME from the start. Crispy, salty chicken with a kick of garlic and a slight hint of sweetness, take you to the islands on your very own plate.
Balancing rich umami and tropical sweetness with soy sauce, honey and fresh garlic, it’s suitable for any celebration, and casual dinner, too.
How To Make 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
This Hawaii Garlic Chicken Recipe is not just a dish, but a tropical getaway with every single bite! No matter if it’s a Midsummer day grilling in the backyard or a special meal for a sultry Sunday dinner, this dish tastes like Hawaii made in your kitchen.
The crunchy outside in combination with succulent garlic sauce makes your taste buds dance. I encourage you to give this recipe a shot and adapt it as your own. List of Hawaiian dishes.
Let me know any thoughts or tweaks … or if you’ll even be giving this a try … I’d love to hear — or see a pic — of how it turns out and how you set the table island style!
Hawaii Garlic Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Pat dry with paper towels and coat evenly with potato starch.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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