Hawaiian Chicken Coconut Rice (Printable)
Tender glazed chicken with fragrant coconut rice and juicy pineapple for a tropical island-inspired meal.
# Ingredient List:
→ Chicken & Marinade
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
02 - 3 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
03 - 2 tbsp honey
04 - 2 tbsp pineapple juice
05 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
06 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
08 - 1 tbsp sesame oil
09 - ¼ tsp black pepper
→ Coconut Rice
10 - 1½ cups jasmine rice, rinsed
11 - 1 cup coconut milk (full fat, unsweetened)
12 - 1¼ cups water
13 - ½ tsp salt
→ For Serving
14 - 1 cup fresh pineapple, cubed
15 - 2 green onions, sliced
16 - 2 tbsp toasted shredded coconut (optional)
17 - 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)
18 - Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
# Steps:
01 - Whisk together soy sauce, honey, pineapple juice, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and black pepper in a bowl. Place chicken in a resealable bag or shallow dish and pour marinade over. Marinate for at least 15 minutes, up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for deeper flavor.
02 - Combine rinsed jasmine rice, coconut milk, water, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, stir once, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
03 - Preheat grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade and grill or sear for about 5-7 minutes per side, until cooked through and slightly caramelized. Discard any unused marinade.
04 - Let the cooked chicken rest for 5 minutes, then slice or leave whole.
05 - Serve chicken over coconut rice. Top with pineapple cubes, green onions, toasted coconut, sesame seeds, and fresh cilantro if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The marinade creates this gorgeous sticky glaze that makes people think you slaved all day
- Coconut rice is basically comfort food that got upgraded to vacation status
02 -
- Do not skip rinsing the rice until the water runs clear or your coconut rice will be gummy
- Letting the chicken rest keeps all those juices inside instead of on your cutting board
03 -
- Pat the chicken dry before cooking for better searing
- Warm your honey slightly if it refuses to whisk in smoothly