Hawaiian Chicken Bites
These Hawaiian Chicken Bites offer a burst of tropical flavors with tender, juicy chicken in a sweet and tangy marinade. Ready in under 30 minutes, they are perfect as an appetizer, snack, or main dish.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice fresh or 100% pure, no added sugar
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce ensure it is certified to meet your dietary preferences
- 2 tablespoons honey or pure maple syrup
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger or 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks optional but highly recommended for added texture and flavor
- chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
Prepare the Marinade
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the pineapple juice, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, rice vinegar, ground or fresh ginger, and black pepper. This marinade is the flavor powerhouse of the dish, so make sure everything is well combined.
Marinate the Chicken
- Add the bite-sized chicken pieces into the marinade. Stir to coat all the pieces evenly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer everything to a resealable plastic bag. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes, but ideally 1-2 hours for maximum flavor infusion.
Cook the Chicken Bites
- Heat the olive or avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off (reserve the marinade for later). Add the chicken pieces to the skillet, cooking them in a single layer. Let them cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes to develop a nice sear, then stir occasionally to cook through, about 6-8 minutes total.
Add Pineapple and Sauce
- Once the chicken is nearly cooked, add the fresh pineapple chunks to the skillet. Pour the reserved marinade over the chicken and pineapple. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 3-5 minutes. The sauce will thicken slightly, coating the chicken bites in that delicious Hawaiian glaze.
Garnish and Serve
- Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds over the top for a fresh, nutty finish. Serve your Hawaiian Chicken Bites immediately with steamed rice, quinoa, or a fresh green salad.
Equipment
- Medium-sized bowl
- Whisk
- Large Skillet
Notes
For juicier chicken, use boneless thighs instead of breasts. Don’t skip marinating to get bold tropical flavors. If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water and stir into the simmering sauce. Use fresh pineapple when possible and adjust sweetness to taste. Add red pepper flakes or sriracha for heat. Variations include grilling on skewers, making wraps, vegetarian versions with tofu or tempeh, adding extra veggies, using gluten-free soy sauce alternatives, or adding BBQ sauce for a smoky twist. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.