Description
Instant Pot Hawaiian Chicken is a vibrant, tropical dish that brings the sweet and savory essence of Hawaii to your dinner table in just 30 minutes. Bursting with juicy chicken, succulent pineapple, and colorful vegetables, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep. The combination of a sticky sweet and spicy sauce elevates each bite, making it a family favorite that even picky eaters will enjoy. Serve it over rice or cauliflower rice for a satisfying meal that’s both delicious and nutritious.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch cubes)
- ¼ cup cornstarch (or tapioca flour)
- ¾ teaspoon salt (divided)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil (or olive oil)
- 15-ounce can pineapple chunks in juice (divided)
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 3 tablespoons sugar (or coconut sugar)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce or Tamari
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- Juice of 1 lime
- 2 cloves garlic (crushed)
- Optional: 1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce
- 2 bell peppers (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 red onion (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- Green onions for garnish
- Rice for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix chicken cubes with cornstarch, half the salt, and black pepper until well-coated.
- Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat the oil until sizzling. Add chicken in a single layer and sauté for about 2–3 minutes, scraping the pot’s bottom afterward.
- In a blender, combine three-fourths of the pineapple chunks, pineapple juice, ketchup, sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, lime juice, garlic, Sriracha (if using), and remaining salt. Blend until smooth.
- Pour the sauce over the sautéed chicken without stirring. Top with bell peppers and onion.
- Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and set to High Pressure for 5 minutes. Allow for natural pressure release for an additional 5 minutes before opening.
- Stir in remaining pineapple chunks before serving over rice or cauliflower rice topped with green onions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: For added nutrition and flavor variety, feel free to incorporate other vegetables such as snap peas or carrots. Adjust the spice level by increasing or decreasing the Sriracha according to your preference.