Hawaiian Baked Chicken Recipe

Chicken makes a great base for any meal. Not only is it lean and healthy meat, but its neutral taste also makes it perfect for absorbing a wide variety of flavors.

When we think of Hawaiian cooking, we think of tropical fruits and exotic flavorings. These are tastes that take us away from every day transporting us to a beach on an island far away from it all.

If you want to give your family these adventurous flavorings, read on to find out how to create a Hawaiian baked chicken dish and other exotic dishes they are sure to love.

Hawaiian Chicken

To make this Hawaiian chicken recipe, start by arranging 12 skinless, boneless chicken thighs in a shallow baking dish coated with non-stick spray.

In a separate bowl, combine (2) 8-ounce cans of unsweetened crushed pineapple with sherry, mustard, honey, and butter. Mix well, spoon over chicken and sprinkle with paprika.

Bake for 35-45 minutes at 400 degrees.

This dish is great when served over rice but other sides like vegetables, potatoes or a nice, light salad will work well too.

We love this dish for the health benefits it provides.

The chicken is low fat and a great source of protein. It also boosts the immune system and eliminates stress putting us in the perfect mood to enjoy a relaxing island dish.

Pineapple is rich in vitamins, enzymes, and antioxidants making it another ingredient with immune system boosting properties. It is also rich in dietary fiber and bromelain.

Honey has gotten a bad rap in the past but more recent research shows that it provides health benefits like improving heart health and wound healing. It can also boost antioxidants in the blood. This makes it a great sugar substitute.

And let’s not forget about the spices. Not only do the spices give this dish an exotic kick, but they also fight inflammation, reduce damage to the body’s cells and kickstart the metabolism to promote calorie burn.

Pineapple and Chicken

Pineapple and chicken are two healthy ingredients that are often used together to give dishes an exotic flavoring. Let’s take a look at some recipes that use this combination to give meals a tropical taste.

Pineapple and Chicken Pizza: Even though a classic Hawaiian pizza usually has ham and pineapple toppings, chicken can make a great substitute. You can make a pizza at home using a store-bought crust or your own dough made from scratch.  Top it with tomato sauce, cheese, chicken, pineapple and any other topics you think will work.

Don’t’ feel like cooking? Order a chicken pineapple pizza from your favorite local pizza place!

Crock-Pot Pineapple Chicken: A crockpot is a great way to prepare a chicken and pineapple meal. The crockpot allows the chicken to achieve the perfect state of tenderness while giving it time to absorb the other flavorings…In this case the taste of the tangy pineapple juice.

Crockpots are also perfect for busy parents because they allow them to cook meals quickly and easily. Just prepare the ingredients, throw them in a crockpot and look forward to a tasty meal that you can eat when you get home.

To make this crockpot pineapple chicken recipe, start by coating the slow cooker with baking spray and arrange the chicken thighs in a single layer on the top.

Drain pineapple juice from your can of pineapples into a mixing bowl. Whisk in cornstarch until smooth. Then stir in soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Pour over chicken, add pineapple chunks and red pepper.

Cover slow cooker and cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 1 ½ to 2 hours.

Use a slotted spoon to remove the chicken and vegetables. Then strain sauce into a small saucepan. Simmer over high heat until it reduces by half, about 4-5 minutes

Add back to the slow cooker with chicken mixture. Add water chestnuts and green onion. Stir.

Serve hot with cauliflower rice, brown rice or quinoa.

Pineapple and chicken make a tasty mixture that can work well in several dishes. Try them together in our Hawaiian baked chicken recipe or one that you create or stumble across. How do you like to use this exotic combination in your family’s meals?

If you enjoyed this recipe, make sure to check out our Summertime Chicken and our Olive Oil Garlic Chicken.

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