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Honolulu Chicken Recipe
Master this authentic Honolulu Chicken recipe from Hawaiian Bros with tender marinated chicken coated in a sweet-tangy sauce. This quick and easy Hawaiian favorite brings tropical flavors to your table in minutes, perfect for family dinners or impressing guests with your homemade island cooking skills.
Prep
Cook
Serve
Kcal
- 1 kg boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 120 ml soy sauce
- 80 ml pineapple juice
- 60 ml brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cm piece ginger, grated
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil for cooking
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 200 g fresh pineapple chunks
- 2 spring onions, sliced for garnish
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted
- 500 g cooked white rice, for serving
Step 1
In a large bowl, make the marinade by combining the soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and black pepper. Whisk until the sugar has dissolved completely.Step 2
Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, making sure all pieces are well coated. Cover with cling film and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight for maximum flavor penetration.Step 3
When ready to cook, drain the chicken from the marinade, but reserve the marinade for later use. Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels to ensure good caramelization.Step 4
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large frying pan or wok over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken pieces in batches (don't overcrowd the pan) and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and set aside.Step 5
In the same pan, add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add the diced onion and cook for 2 minutes until starting to soften. Add the red and green bell peppers and cook for another 3 minutes until slightly softened but still crisp.Step 6
Pour the reserved marinade into the pan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly. This cooking process will eliminate any bacteria from the raw chicken.Step 7
Return the cooked chicken to the pan along with the pineapple chunks. Stir everything together and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the chicken is heated through and well coated with the sauce.Step 8
Serve the Honolulu chicken over steamed white rice. Garnish with sliced spring onions and toasted sesame seeds. For an authentic Hawaiian Bros Island Grill experience, add a side of macaroni salad or steamed vegetables if desired.
What ingredients are used in Honolulu chicken from Hawaiian Bros Island Grill?
Hawaiian Bros Island Grill's Honolulu chicken uses boneless chicken thighs, soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, rice vinegar, sesame oil, bell peppers, onions, and fresh pineapple chunks, topped with spring onions and sesame seeds.
How to cook Honolulu chicken from Hawaiian Bros Island Grill at home?
Learn how to cook Honolulu chicken from Hawaiian Bros Island Grill by marinating chicken thighs in a sweet-savoury sauce, searing until caramelised, then cooking with bell peppers, onions and pineapple in a reduced sauce. The key is allowing adequate marinating time (at least 2 hours) for maximum flavour infusion.
What's the best way to achieve caramelisation when cooking teriyaki-style chicken?
For perfect caramelisation, pat the marinated chicken completely dry with kitchen paper before cooking. Use a hot pan, don't overcrowd it, and avoid turning the chicken too frequently. The sugar in the marinade will help create that beautiful glossy, caramelised exterior.
Can this sweet and savoury Hawaiian chicken recipe be prepared in advance?
Yes! You can marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance for deeper flavour. The completed dish can also be refrigerated for 2-3 days. For meal prep, store the chicken and sauce separately from rice and garnishes, then reheat and assemble when ready to serve.
What sides complement Hawaiian-style chicken dishes?
Traditional sides include macaroni salad, steamed rice, and grilled pineapple. For a balanced meal, add steamed vegetables like broccoli or bok choy. Cucumber salad with rice vinegar dressing or Hawaiian bread rolls also make excellent accompaniments to the sweet-savoury chicken.