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chicken luau

Chicken Luau Recipe Card

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 420
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
For the Luau Sauce
  • 1 cup pineapple juice
  • ½ cup soy sauce low sodium preferred
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tsp fresh grated ginger or ½ tsp ground ginger
For the Stir-Fry
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 bell pepper sliced
  • 1 small onion sliced
  • 1 cup pineapple chunks fresh or canned, drained
Optional Garnishes
  • Sliced green onions
  • Sesame seeds

Method
 

Sear the Chicken
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then sear for 4–5 minutes until lightly browned. Remove and set aside.
Make the Luau Sauce
  1. In a bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, garlic, and ginger.
Simmer
  1. Return chicken to the skillet and pour in the sauce. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 15–18 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and sauce thickens slightly.
  2. Add Veggies and Pineapple
  3. Stir in bell pepper, onion, and pineapple chunks. Cook uncovered for 5–7 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp and sauce is glossy.
Serve
  1. Serve hot over steamed white rice, jasmine rice, or coconut rice.

Notes

Use thighs: Chicken thighs stay extra juicy and soak up the sweet luau sauce beautifully.
Thicker sauce: Mix 1 tsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp water and stir in during the last few minutes.
Add heat: A pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha balances the sweetness.
Slow cooker option: Cook on LOW for 4–5 hours, add peppers and pineapple during the last 30 minutes.