Sweet • Sticky • Juicy • 30-Minute Dinner
A tropical, takeout-style chicken that your whole family will devour.

If you love sweet-savory dinners that taste like they came straight from a Hawaiian BBQ plate lunch, this Easy Hawaiian Chicken is about to earn a permanent spot in your weeknight rotation. It’s one of those recipes that looks simple, uses pantry ingredients, and somehow turns into pure magic once the chicken hits the hot pan. The sticky glaze, the pineapple-kissed marinade, and the deep golden caramelization make this dish taste like your favorite Hawaiian restaurant but healthier, faster, and budget-friendly.

This recipe originally went live on my site in 2020, and after testing it again (and again!), I’m updating it today with clearer instructions, fixed inconsistencies, and improved flavor balance. The original version had a vinegar typo (listing 1 tablespoon instead of the correct 4 tablespoons), beginner blogger days..ha. I should be embarassed, but honestly I started this from the ground up and am so dang proud of where it is today!!

Over time I’ve refined the marinade to get the perfect mix of tangy, sweet, and savory that my readers love. If you’ve made it before this is the upgraded version you’ll keep coming back to!

If you’re trying to meal prep, feed a crowd, impress guests, or just want a no-fuss dinner with ingredients you already have, Hawaiian Chicken is a dream. Serve it with sticky white rice, grilled pineapple, veggies, or a scoop of my famous Healthier Hawaiian Macaroni Salad for a full plate-lunch experience.

This is family-friendly, kid-approved, and picky-eater safe and a huge win in my house of four kids!

Jump to:

• 👉 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• 👉 Ingredients
• 👉 Step-by-Step Instructions
• 👉 Pro Tips
• 👉 Serving Suggestions
• 👉 Variations
• 👉 FAQ
• 👉 Storage

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS

This dish is all about balance, sweet pineapple, tangy vinegar, soy sauce umami, aromatic garlic + ginger, and a rich sesame finish. The marinade doubles as a glaze, giving the chicken that restaurant-style shiny coat.

Here’s why this recipe hits every time:

✔ 1. The marinade is perfectly balanced

No ingredient overpowers the others — it’s sweet, tangy, savory, and just slightly tropical.

✔ 2. Thighs = maximum juiciness

Chicken thighs tolerate high heat, caramelize beautifully, and never dry out.

✔ 3. Minimal ingredients you already have

Everything is pantry-friendly except maybe the pineapple juice — but trust me, keep a can in your pantry forever.

✔ 4. It cooks FAST

You marinate it ahead, then dinner is ready in under 15 minutes.

✔ 5. It tastes like takeout — but healthier

No deep frying, no heavy sauces, no artificial ingredients. Just real food and big flavor.

Just say “recipe card version please” and I’ll deliver it.

Hawaiian-style chicken relies on a simple, powerful marinade. Here’s what you’ll need:

INGREDIENTS

Hawaiian-style chicken relies on a simple, powerful marinade. Here’s what you’ll need:

Chicken

• 1 – 1.3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Hawaiian Marinade

• 2 Tbsp ketchup
• 3 Tbsp agave or brown sugar
• 4 Tbsp rice vinegar
• 4 Tbsp pineapple juice
• 1 Tbsp sesame oil
• 2 Tbsp avocado oil
• 1 tsp fresh grated ginger
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 Tbsp soy sauce

Ingredient Notes:

• Chicken thighs provide maximum juiciness.
• Pineapple juice creates that signature tropical sweetness.
• Rice vinegar adds brightness and tang.
• Sesame oil brings warmth and depth.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make the Marinade

Whisk together ketchup, agave, rice vinegar, pineapple juice, sesame oil, avocado oil, ginger, garlic, and soy sauce.

2. Marinate the Chicken

Add chicken thighs and refrigerate for 3 to 24 hours.
The longer it marinates, the deeper the flavor.

3. Heat the Pan or Grill

Preheat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
A hot pan ensures a golden, sticky sear.

4. Cook the Chicken

Remove chicken from marinade and let excess drip off.
Cook 6–8 minutes per side, until caramelized and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

5. Rest and Slice

Allow the chicken to rest for 2 minutes before slicing.

6. Optional Glaze

Boil leftover marinade for 3–4 minutes and spoon over the finished chicken for extra shine and flavor.

Pro Tips

✔ Marinate long enough

Three hours is great, but overnight creates an unbeatable depth of flavor.

✔ Avoid pan overcrowding

Crowding prevents caramelization and creates steam.

✔ Double the marinade

Perfect if you love extra sauce or want a thick glaze.

✔ High heat = best sear

That sticky, takeout-style crust needs strong heat.

✔ Breasts work too

Just reduce the cooking time by a couple minutes per side.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your Hawaiian chicken with:

• Jasmine or white rice
• Grilled or sautéed pineapple
• Coconut rice
• Stir-fried vegetables
• Healthier Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

Also add these to your dinner rotation:

• Easy Tofu and Vegetable Curry
•  Easy Take-Out Style Chicken
• Rosemary Honey Chicken with Roasted Veggies.

Helpful Tools for This Recipe

These are the exact tools that make this Hawaiian chicken cook perfectly every time. I use all of these in my own kitchen:

✔ Cast Iron Skillet

Perfect for getting that golden, sticky sear.
👉 Lodge 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet

✔ Glass Mixing Bowls

Great for mixing marinades and easy cleanup.
👉 Glass Nesting Bowl Set

✔ Kitchen Tongs

Helps flip the chicken without tearing it.
👉 Heavy-Duty Stainless Steel Tongs

✔ Meat Thermometer

Ensures chicken hits 165°F for perfect doneness.
👉 Instant-Read Thermometer

✔ Garlic Press

Makes mincing garlic fast and clean.
👉 Garlic Press Stainless Steel

✔ Pineapple Juice

Pantry-friendly and perfect for Hawaiian-style marinades.
👉 Canned Pineapple Juice

Variations

Spicy Hawaiian Chicken 🔥

Add red pepper flakes or sriracha to the marinade.

Grilled Version

Cook over medium heat for a smoky, authentic finish.

Oven-Baked

Bake at 400°F for 20–22 minutes, then broil 1–2 minutes.

Gluten-Free

Use tamari or certified gluten-free soy sauce.

Low-Carb

Serve with cauliflower rice.

Storage + Meal Prep

Refrigerator

Store leftovers for 3–4 days.

Freezer

Freeze raw chicken in the marinade for up to 3 months.

Reheat

Reheat in a skillet or microwave with a splash of pineapple juice to refresh the flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Hawaiian Chicken is sweet, sticky, flavorful, and incredibly simple—perfect for busy families or quick weeknight meals. With this updated, corrected, SEO-optimized version, you’ll get consistent, delicious results every single time.

If you make it, tag me @kayscleaneats so I can share your beautiful creations!💕

FAQ