Hawaiian Chicken Sandwich

Introduction

The Hawaiian Chicken Sandwich captures the essence of island flavor—juicy chicken, sweet-tart pineapple, and a zesty, creamy slaw, all nestled between soft buns. Its allure lies in the unique blend of savory, sweet, and tangy profiles that make each bite vibrant and refreshing. Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s a show-stopper at backyard BBQs or casual weeknight dinners, offering a perfect crowd-pleaser without a fuss.

What Makes the Hawaiian Chicken Sandwich Irresistible?

The magic of this sandwich is its balance: smoky grilled or seared chicken, caramelized pineapple, crisp slaw, and a dash of tangy sauce. Each component brings contrasting yet complementary textures and flavors—making every bite anything but boring. Serve it warm with the classic Hawaiian sides, or pile it high for a sandwich that over-delivers on taste.

Tips for Perfect Chicken and Pineapple

Juicy, flavorful chicken is key here. Pound your chicken breasts to uniform thickness for even cooking, and marinate in a soy, ginger, and garlic blend for 20 minutes or more to infuse flavor. Searing or grilling caramelizes the exterior—lock in juices and develop a crave-worthy char. For the pineapple, choose fresh rings if possible, as their sugars caramelize beautifully on a hot pan.

A Bamboo Cutting Boards for Kitchen, Set of 3 set makes prepping your chicken and produce safer and more efficient. For pineapple and veggies, the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper ensures even, attractive slices with minimal effort.

Assembling a Flavorsome Hawaiian Chicken Sandwich

Once the chicken and pineapple are cooked, it’s time for assembly. Toasting your sandwich buns adds extra texture and flavor. Build from the bottom up: bun, juicy chicken breast, caramelized pineapple, a generous helping of fresh slaw, and your favorite creamy sauce. Top with the other half of the bun, and secure with a toothpick if needed.

A SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch works beautifully for both chicken and pineapple, ensuring even caramelization without sticking. If you’re batch-cooking, a COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1, Compact & Large 6-Qt, Grey gives fast, consistent results with less mess.

Serving, Packing & Storage Solutions

Serve your sandwiches hot, accompanied by extra slaw or baked chips for a light meal. For easy on-the-go enjoyment, pack leftovers in the Bentgo Salad Container – 54 oz Bowl, Khaki Green—handy for bringing lunch to work or for a picnic. These sandwiches hold up well for several hours when kept chilled.

Nutritional Information and Yield

This recipe yields 4 large sandwiches. Each sandwich provides approximately 420-470 calories, depending on your toppings and sauce. Rich in protein, loaded with fresh veggies, and lighter than deep-fried alternatives, this is a feel-good, flavor-forward dish.

Hawaiian Chicken Sandwiches: A Taste of the Islands, Anywhere

Combining charred chicken, bright pineapple, and a zingy slaw makes for a balanced and beautiful sandwich that never fails to impress. Whether served hot off the pan or prepared ahead for easy meals, this is a dish destined for repeat requests.

Instructions

1. In a shallow bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, olive oil, garlic, ginger, salt, and pepper. Add chicken breasts and marinate for at least 20 minutes (or up to 4 hours, if desired).
2. While chicken marinates, prepare your slaw: In a bowl, toss coleslaw mix with mayonnaise and rice vinegar. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use.
3. Heat a SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch or grill to medium-high. Cook chicken for 4–5 minutes per side, or until nicely charred and cooked through (internal temp 165°F). Remove and let rest.
4. In the same pan, grill pineapple rings for about 1–2 minutes per side, until caramelized and slightly softened. Remove from heat.
5. Toast buns cut side down in the pan or on the grill for 1 minute or until golden.
6. Build sandwiches: Place chicken on bottom buns, top with pineapple ring, then a generous helping of coleslaw. Add optional toppings (lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese) if desired. Cap with the top bun.
7. Serve immediately, or wrap and store in a Bentgo Salad Container for easy transport.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus marinate time)
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes (plus marinate time)