Your 20-minute tropical escape! This sweet and savory Hawaiian chicken is a weeknight game-changer.
Craving those sweet, savory, and sticky tropical flavors of your favorite Hawaiian takeout joint? We hear you. What if you could get that same island-inspired bliss in a fraction of the time, using just one skillet and simple ingredients?
Meet your new weeknight hero: the 20-Minute Quick Hawaiian Chicken. This recipe is our lightning-fast tribute to classic Hawaiian barbecue, delivering a perfect balance of sweet pineapple and savory soy. It’s beautifully glossy and intensely flavored, serving up serious tropical vibes without ever turning on your oven. It’s the ultimate “fakeout” meal that proves incredible, flavor-packed dinners don’t need to be complicated. Let’s bring a little aloha to your kitchen!
Why This Recipe is a Total Game-Changer
This recipe is designed for reality—busy schedules and empty stomachs—while keeping the flavor authentic.
The 20-Minute Guarantee
By using thin-cut chicken breast (or quickly slicing regular breasts) and our fast-cook, 5-ingredient glaze, we get this easy Hawaiian Chicken dinner on the table faster than you can get through a drive-thru line.
The Ultimate Skillet Glaze
Our simple, sweet-and-sour glaze is the star. It’s the perfect balance of tangy pineapple juice, savory low-sodium soy sauce, and a hint of fresh garlic for that irresistible, sticky finish.
Stovetop Simplicity
No oven, no slow cooker, no grilling—just one skillet and 20 minutes from prep to plate. The minimal cleanup makes this a true weeknight staple.
🍍 Ingredients for Quick Hawaiian Chicken
Item
Quantity
Notes
Chicken Breast
1.5 lbs
Thinly sliced or pounded to 1/2-inch thickness for fast cooking.
Packs in the sweetness and helps create the sticky glaze.
Cornstarch
1 tbsp
The essential thickener for a glossy sauce.
Water
1 tbsp
Used to create the cornstarch slurry.
Salt & Pepper
To Taste
For seasoning the chicken.
⏱️ How to Make It: Your 20-Minute Countdown
The entire process is a simple, one-pan wonder.
The magic moment! That glossy, sweet-and-savory glaze makes this chicken irresistible.
Step 1: Prep the Chicken (Optional Flavor Boost)
If you have 10 minutes, combine 1 tablespoon of the soy sauce and a dash of pepper, and toss the thin-cut chicken in it. Pat your chicken pieces dry and season generously with remaining salt and pepper.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken (5–7 minutes)
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
Step 3: Create the Glaze Base (2 minutes)
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the pineapple juice, remaining soy sauce, and brown sugar, stirring constantly to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Step 4: Thicken the Hawaiian Sauce (3 minutes)
Pro Tip for a Perfect Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with the tablespoon of cold water until smooth (this is called a “slurry”). Pour the slurry into the simmering sauce, whisking immediately. Let it cook for 1–2 minutes until the sauce transforms into a beautiful, luxurious, and glossy glaze.
Step 5: Glaze and Serve (5 minutes)
Return the seared chicken to the skillet, turning the pieces with tongs to ensure they are fully coated in the thick, sticky glaze. Let the chicken heat through for about one minute. Serve immediately!
How to Customize Your Hawaiian Chicken
Make this recipe your own with these simple additions:
Add Veggies: Sauté sliced red and green bell peppers and onions after the garlic step, then proceed with the sauce. You can also toss in canned pineapple chunks at the end.
Spice It Up: Add a teaspoon of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a sweet-heat kick.
Protein Swap: This glaze is equally fantastic with pork chops, shrimp (which cooks even faster!), or firm tofu slices.
The complete tropical experience! Serve with rice and fresh pineapple for the ultimate meal.
Perfect Pairing Suggestions
This sweet and sticky chicken pairs perfectly with simple sides that balance the tropical flavor:
Classic: Fluffy white or brown rice (to soak up all that extra glaze).
Freshness: A simple side salad with a bright vinaigrette.
Low Carb: Cauliflower rice or roasted broccoli.
FAQs (Quick Questions, Quick Answers)
What is the secret to getting the chicken cooked so quickly?
Using thin-cut chicken breasts (or slicing regular breasts horizontally) ensures they cook in minutes. They also maximize the surface area for the glaze to stick to!
Can I use canned pineapple chunks?
Absolutely! Use the juice from the can for the sauce and add the pineapple chunks at the very end to warm through with the chicken.
My sauce is too thick. What can I do?
The cornstarch works fast! If the sauce is too thick, simply thin it out with a tablespoon or two of water or additional pineapple juice until it reaches your desired consistency.
The Final Glaze
You’ve skipped the line, saved the time, and created a vibrant, satisfying meal that brings the islands right to your kitchen. This 20-Minute Hawaiian Chicken is the embodiment of Flavor Flux—empowering you to create delicious, uncomplicated food that brings joy and a little adventure to your table, even on your busiest days.
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Made this recipe? You’re a star! 🌟 Did you add any extra veggies or spice? I’d love to hear how your version turned out! Rate the recipe below and let me know in the comments.
Skip the drive-thru! This 20-Minute Hawaiian Chicken is sweet, savory, and bursting with tropical flavor. A quick, easy weeknight dinner.
Total Time:20
Yield:4 servings
Ingredients
1.5 lbs Chicken Breast, thinly sliced or pounded to 1/2-inch thickness
1 Tbsp Oil (high-heat like avocado or vegetable)
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1/2 cup Pineapple Juice
1/4 cup Soy Sauce (low-sodium preferred)
2 Tbsp Brown Sugar
1 Tbsp Cornstarch
1 Tbsp Water (cold)
Salt and Pepper, to taste (for seasoning chicken)
Optional Garnish: Sliced green onions, sesame seeds, pineapple chunks
Instructions
Prep and Sear the Chicken: Pat the thin-cut chicken pieces dry and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F). Remove the chicken and set aside.
Create the Glaze Base: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the pineapple juice, soy sauce, and brown sugar, stirring constantly to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Thicken the Hawaiian Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with the cold water until smooth (this is the slurry). Pour the slurry into the simmering sauce, whisking immediately. Let it cook for 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens into a glossy glaze.
Glaze and Serve: Return the seared chicken to the skillet, turning the pieces with tongs to ensure they are fully coated in the thick, sticky glaze. Let the chicken heat through for about one minute. Serve immediately over rice, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.
Notes
For a Thicker Glaze: Let the sauce simmer for an extra minute or two.
Add Pineapple: Stir in 1 cup of pineapple chunks with the chicken at the end.
Equipment
Large Skillet or Frying Pan: A 10-12 inch skillet is ideal for cooking the chicken in a single layer without overcrowding. Non-stick, stainless steel, or cast iron all work well.
Whisk: For smoothly combining the cornstarch slurry and preventing lumps in your beautiful glaze.
Small Bowl: To mix the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch + water).
Measuring Cups & Spoons: For accurately portioning the sauce ingredients.
Tongs or a Spatula: For easily flipping the chicken and coating it in the glaze.
Low-Sodium: Use low-sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness.
