OnceAChef
/
Recipes
/
Molokai Chicken Recipe
"
Addictive sweet-tangy sauce, made twice already!|Perfect balance of flavors, no leftovers!|Kids requested for three nights straight!|Caramelized edges are absolutely incredible!|Tastes exactly like Hawaiian Bros version!|So much flavor with minimal effort!|Better than takeout and super simple!|Freezes beautifully for quick weeknight dinners!
"
Signature
Featured

Hawaiian Bros Island Grill

Molokai Chicken Recipe

Master how to make authentic Molokai chicken with this quick and easy recipe that delivers sweet, tangy Hawaiian flavors in every bite. The perfect balance of savory soy sauce, brown sugar, and ginger creates a caramelized glaze that transforms ordinary chicken into an island-inspired feast.

Prep

15 mins

Cook

20 mins

Serve

4

Kcal

420

Ingredients

Directions

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">750g boneless chicken thighs</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">60ml soy sauce</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">60ml pineapple juice</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">3 tbsp brown sugar</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tbsp rice vinegar</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">3 cloves garlic, minced</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tsp sesame oil</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp black pepper</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1/2 tsp red chili flakes (adjust to taste)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tbsp vegetable oil</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 green onions, sliced for garnish</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tbsp sesame seeds for garnish</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">400g cooked white rice, for serving</li></ul>
<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4> Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces, around 2.5cm cubes. Place them in a large bowl and set aside while you prepare the marinade.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4> In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, black pepper, and red chili flakes until the sugar has completely dissolved.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4> Pour three-quarters of the marinade over the chicken pieces, reserving the remaining quarter for later. Toss the chicken to coat thoroughly, then cover the bowl with cling film and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight for maximum flavor.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4> When ready to cook, heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan or wok over medium-high heat until it begins to shimmer. Remove the chicken from the marinade using a slotted spoon, allowing excess marinade to drip off (discard this used marinade).</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4> Add the chicken to the hot pan, being careful not to overcrowd (cook in batches if necessary). Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 75°C).</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4> Once all the chicken is cooked, return all pieces to the pan and pour in the reserved marinade (the portion you didn't use for marinating). Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and glazes the chicken beautifully.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4> Serve the Molokai chicken hot over steamed white rice. Garnish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. For an authentic Hawaiian Bros Island Grill experience, add a side of macaroni salad or steamed vegetables if desired.</li></ol>
FAQ for
Molokai Chicken Recipe

What ingredients are used in Molokai chicken from Hawaiian Bros Island Grill?

Hawaiian Bros Molokai chicken uses boneless chicken thighs, soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, black pepper, and chilli flakes. It's typically garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, served over white rice.

How to cook Molokai chicken from Hawaiian Bros Island Grill at home?

Learn how to cook Molokai chicken from Hawaiian Bros Island Grill by marinating chicken thigh pieces in a sweet-savoury sauce with pineapple juice, soy sauce and ginger. After marinating, quickly stir-fry the chicken until golden brown, then simmer with reserved marinade until glazed. Serve over rice with green onions and sesame seeds for authentic flavour.

What's the best cut of chicken to use for Hawaiian-style chicken dishes?

Boneless chicken thighs are ideal for Hawaiian-style chicken dishes because they remain juicy and tender during cooking. Their higher fat content absorbs flavours beautifully and prevents the meat from drying out when exposed to the sweet, sticky glazes common in Hawaiian cuisine.

How long should you marinate chicken for maximum flavour absorption?

For maximum flavour absorption, marinate chicken for at least 2 hours, but ideally overnight (8-12 hours). This allows the acidic ingredients like pineapple juice to tenderise the meat while the flavours fully penetrate. Avoid marinating longer than 24 hours as proteins can break down excessively.

What side dishes complement sweet and savoury Hawaiian chicken?

Traditional sides that complement Hawaiian sweet-savoury chicken include macaroni salad, steamed white rice, grilled pineapple, coconut rice, Asian slaw, steamed vegetables, or Hawaiian rolls. For an authentic plate lunch experience, serve with mac salad and two scoops of rice.

The calorie count is an approximation and can vary based on exact measurements and specific ingredients used. Always consult nutritional information if strict adherence to calorie counts is required. This recipe is inspired by the flavours of this restaurant's dishes and has been independently developed for home cooking. It is not an exact match to the proprietary recipe used by the restaurant. This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the restaurant.
✨Try GrittyChef

Love This Recipe?
Create Your Own in 10 Seconds

Get unlimited personalized recipes tailored to your exact preferences with GrittyChef.

Create My Recipe→
✓8,400+ users
✓Cancel anytime
✓$7/month
156 creating now
⭐ PREMIUM

Personal Recipe Generator

Create delicious recipes instantly

🔥Popular Recipes
🍔 Cheeseburger
🍕 Pizza
🥓 Burrito

Customize Your Recipe

Select your cooking preferences

Grilling
Baking
Frying
Steaming
Mild
Medium
Hot
Keto
Vegan
Paleo
2
4
6
8

GrittyChef is Cooking...

Creating your perfect recipe ✨

👨‍🍳

Chef's Kiss!

Your recipe is ready

Get ready to cook something delicious

👨‍🍳 GrittyChef AI Chef

🍔 Classic Cheeseburger

⏱️ 20 mins
👥 4 servings
🔥 Hot
🛒Ingredients
  • ✓1.5 lbs ground beef
  • ✓4 burger buns
  • ✓4 cheddar slices
  • ✓Lettuce, tomato
👨‍🍳Instructions
1
{ "@context": "http://schema.org/", "@type": "Recipe", "name": "Hawaiian Bros Molokai Chicken Recipe", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Peter Martin", "brand": "Once a Chef", "jobTitle": "Chef", "image": "https://cdn.leonardo.ai/users/4a58fbf3-54bf-417d-a8aa-9bdd9b72d9ff/generations/347a8a9b-aaf4-4326-aec1-93a3c3c91ee6/Phoenix_10_Image_Description_A_vibrant_overhead_shot_of_Hawaii_0.jpg" }, "datePublished": "2024-07-01", "description": "This Hawaiian-inspired Molokai chicken features tender chicken thighs marinated in a sweet and savory sauce with pineapple juice, soy sauce, and ginger, then pan-fried to perfection.", "prepTime": "PT15M", "cookTime": "PT25M", "totalTime": "PT2H40M", "keywords": "Hawaiian chicken, Molokai chicken, sweet soy chicken, pineapple marinade, Hawaiian Bros", "recipeYield": "4", "recipeCategory": "Main Course", "recipeCuisine": "Hawaiian", "nutrition": { "@type": "NutritionInformation", "calories": "465 calories", "carbohydrateContent": "28 g", "proteinContent": "36 g", "fatContent": "22 g", "saturatedFatContent": "5 g", "cholesterolContent": "175 mg", "sodiumContent": "1120 mg", "sugarContent": "14 g", "servingSize": "1 serving" }, "recipeIngredient": [ "750g boneless chicken thighs", "60ml soy sauce", "60ml pineapple juice", "3 tbsp brown sugar", "2 tbsp rice vinegar", "3 cloves garlic, minced", "1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated", "2 tsp sesame oil", "1 tsp black pepper", "1/2 tsp red chili flakes", "2 tbsp vegetable oil", "2 green onions, sliced for garnish", "1 tbsp sesame seeds for garnish", "400g cooked white rice, for serving" ], "recipeInstructions": [ { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Prepare Chicken", "text": "Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces, around 2.5cm cubes. Place them in a large bowl and set aside while you prepare the marinade." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Make Marinade", "text": "In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, black pepper, and red chili flakes until the sugar has completely dissolved." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Marinate", "text": "Pour three-quarters of the marinade over the chicken pieces, reserving the remaining quarter for later. Toss the chicken to coat thoroughly, then cover the bowl with cling film and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight for maximum flavor." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Prepare to Cook", "text": "When ready to cook, heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan or wok over medium-high heat until it begins to shimmer. Remove the chicken from the marinade using a slotted spoon, allowing excess marinade to drip off (discard this used marinade)." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Cook Chicken", "text": "Add the chicken to the hot pan, being careful not to overcrowd (cook in batches if necessary). Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 75°C)." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Glaze", "text": "Once all the chicken is cooked, return all pieces to the pan and pour in the reserved marinade (the portion you didn't use for marinating). Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and glazes the chicken beautifully." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Serve", "text": "Serve the Molokai chicken hot over steamed white rice. Garnish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. For an authentic Hawaiian Bros Island Grill experience, add a side of macaroni salad or steamed vegetables if desired." } ], "aggregateRating": { "@type": "AggregateRating", "ratingValue": "5", "ratingCount": "137" }, "review": [ { "@type": "Review", "author": "Keoni Nakamura", "datePublished": "2024-06-15", "reviewBody": "This Molokai chicken recipe tastes just like Hawaiian Bros! The sweet and savory marinade with that hint of ginger is spot on. I let it marinate overnight and the flavor was incredible.", "name": "Authentic Hawaiian Flavor", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Samantha Rodriguez", "datePublished": "2024-06-20", "reviewBody": "Made this for a family dinner and everyone loved it! The chicken was so tender and the sauce had the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Will definitely be making this again!", "name": "Family Approved", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Ahmed Hassan", "datePublished": "2024-06-22", "reviewBody": "I've tried several Hawaiian chicken recipes and this is by far the best. The pineapple juice adds such a nice sweetness without being overpowering. Easy to follow instructions too!", "name": "Best Hawaiian Chicken Recipe", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Olivia Chen", "datePublished": "2024-06-25", "reviewBody": "This recipe is fantastic! I added some pineapple chunks during the final cooking step for extra sweetness. The chicken thighs stayed juicy and absorbed all that delicious flavor.", "name": "Juicy and Flavorful", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Viktor Novak", "datePublished": "2024-06-30", "reviewBody": "Never been to Hawaiian Bros but after trying this recipe, I feel like I've experienced their famous chicken! The marinade is so good I've started using it for other proteins too. Perfection!", "name": "Restaurant Quality at Home", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } } ], "url": "https://www.grittychef.com/recipes/hawaiian-bros-molokai-chicken-recipe" }
{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "What ingredients are used in Molokai chicken from Hawaiian Bros Island Grill?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Hawaiian Bros Molokai chicken uses boneless chicken thighs, soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, black pepper, and chilli flakes. It's typically garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, served over white rice." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How to cook Molokai chicken from Hawaiian Bros Island Grill at home?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Learn how to cook Molokai chicken from Hawaiian Bros Island Grill by marinating chicken thigh pieces in a sweet-savoury sauce with pineapple juice, soy sauce and ginger. After marinating, quickly stir-fry the chicken until golden brown, then simmer with reserved marinade until glazed. Serve over rice with green onions and sesame seeds for authentic flavour." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What's the best cut of chicken to use for Hawaiian-style chicken dishes?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Boneless chicken thighs are ideal for Hawaiian-style chicken dishes because they remain juicy and tender during cooking. Their higher fat content absorbs flavours beautifully and prevents the meat from drying out when exposed to the sweet, sticky glazes common in Hawaiian cuisine." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How long should you marinate chicken for maximum flavour absorption?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "For maximum flavour absorption, marinate chicken for at least 2 hours, but ideally overnight (8-12 hours). This allows the acidic ingredients like pineapple juice to tenderise the meat while the flavours fully penetrate. Avoid marinating longer than 24 hours as proteins can break down excessively." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What side dishes complement sweet and savoury Hawaiian chicken?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Traditional sides that complement Hawaiian sweet-savoury chicken include macaroni salad, steamed white rice, grilled pineapple, coconut rice, Asian slaw, steamed vegetables, or Hawaiian rolls. For an authentic plate lunch experience, serve with mac salad and two scoops of rice." } } ] }
Copy Ingredients
Save
Saved
Modify