Here we have one of my favorite dishes. I mean, the look captivates me before I can even get to the taste. Then the aroma carries me off on a waltz of seasoning and pineapples. Oh! The taste is wow! You know, I will not spoil the experience for you.
What Is Hawaiian Chicken (baked sweet)
Hawaiian chicken is chicken breasts cut into small pieces seasoned and covered in pineapple juice and tidbits. It is then cooked in a skillet for a bit, then taken to a pan and bake to complete.
Fun Facts
- Pineapples are not native to Hawaii. They are from South America.
- Hawaiian is the term given to dishes with pineapple, even though not native to Hawaii.
- Pineapples are connected to Hawaii because a large pineapple industry was built in Hawaii in the 1900s till the present time.
Origin:
Have you ever wondered why dishes with pineapple are called Hawaiian? Well, I have wondered the same, and as it turns out, the term Hawaiian came from a restaurateur by the name of Sam Panopoulos. He was trying to attract more customers with his new pizza flavor, and It so happened that he named it Hawaiian based on the brand of pineapples used in the recipe. It became a trend, and now we have Hawaiian chicken.
When To Serve?
Dinner parties are perfect for this dish to debut on your table. It is attractive to the eyes, which sets the mood for dinner parties and lunches since chicken is known as comfort food that relaxes you.
Best served with
White rice with lettuce laid beside it is the perfect pair for this dish. The green and white allow the color of the chicken to pop. If you are to couple this with a strawberry daiquiri, it will be perfect for lounging by a pool or with simple but elegant white wine.
Science Behind one of the main ingredient
Cornstarch is an ingredient to have in your kitchen for a few reasons. It provides texture to your chicken by lightly coating it. Cornstarch also allows the chicken to brown. It is one of the main thickening agents for sauces and soups.
Method:
Preheat the oven and grease a baking dish. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, then season with salt and pepper.
Place cornstarch and lightly beaten eggs in a bowl. Dip the chicken pieces into cornstarch and coat them into the egg mixture.
Cook in canola oil until browned. Place the chicken in the greased baking dish.
In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, pineapple juice, minced garlic, soy sauce, and cornstarch, adding the pineapple tidbits and red pepper. Pour it over the chicken and bake for an hour. Mix the chicken every 15 minutes for the sauce to adhere to it.
Why You Should Make This
A delicious dish you can not overlook, and neither will your family. If you want to change your family dinner, this is a great dish they will think it’s take-out but better. It is one of those perfectly prepared meals that will broaden your repertoire.
Key Term/s
Tidbits– This describes small pieces of delicious foods.
Grease– This describes the process of using fat such as oil, butter, or non-stick spray to coat the inside of a pot or baking pan before using it. Doing this prevents the food from sticking to the bottom and sides when it is cooking.
Q&A
Q) What is 325 degrees Fahrenheit in Celsius?
A) The equivalent of 325°F is 170°C.
Q) I do not have the cornstarch; what do I use?
A) You can use Arrowroot in its place.
Closing
Remember what I said at the beginning about not spoiling the fun. Well, guess what? I am still not going to. However, I will let you know that the taste is similar to sweet and sour chicken. There is a unique flavor that you must experience to understand.
Baked Sweet And Irresistible Hawaiian Chicken
The sweet juice of the pineapple coupled with the Chewy savoriness of the chicken is AMAZING!
Ingredients
Chicken ingredients:
- 3-4 chicken breasts boneless and skinless
- 3 eggs beaten
- 1½ cup cornstarch
- ¼ cup canola oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sweet Hawaiian Ingredients:
- 20oz (1 can) pineapple tidbits, drained
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 red pepper chopped
- 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F and grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, then season with salt and pepper.
- In a separate bowl, place cornstarch and lightly beaten eggs. Dip the chicken pieces into cornstarch and coat them in the egg mixture. I find this method works well.
- Over a medium-high flame, Heat canola oil in a large skillet and cook chicken until browned. Place the chicken in the greased baking dish.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together brown sugar, pineapple juice, minced garlic, soy sauce, and cornstarch. Add the pineapple tidbits and red pepper over the chicken and bake for 1 hour.
- Mix the chicken every 15 minutes for the sauce to adhere to it.
