Sweet Hawaiian Chicken in the Air Fryer
Tender chicken coated in a sweet-savory pineapple glaze with bell peppers—ready in under 30 minutes!
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 15–18 mins
Servings: 4
Ingredients
1.5 lbs (700g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1.5” chunks
1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, drained)
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 tbsp cornstarch (for coating chicken)
1 tbsp oil (optional for coating)
For the Hawaiian Sauce:
½ cup pineapple juice (from the can or bottled)
¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
¼ cup brown sugar or honey
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp ginger powder or 1 tsp fresh grated ginger
1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water (slurry for thickening)
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken – 10 mins (optional)
In a bowl, combine chicken with:
2 tbsp sauce mix (from ingredients above)
Toss with 2 tbsp cornstarch and a drizzle of oil. Let sit while prepping the sauce and veggies.
Make the Hawaiian Sauce – 5 mins
In a small saucepan over medium heat:
Combine pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, garlic, and ginger.
Bring to a simmer. Add the cornstarch slurry and stir until the sauce thickens (1–2 mins). Set aside.
Air Fryer Cooking Instructions
Preheat Air Fryer to 375°F (190°C) – 3 mins
Air Fry Chicken – 10 mins
Place coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Air fry at 375°F for 10 minutes, shaking halfway through.
Add Peppers & Pineapple – 5–8 mins more
Add bell peppers and pineapple chunks to the basket with chicken.
Air fry for another 5–8 minutes until chicken is cooked through and veggies are slightly charred.
Chicken internal temp should reach 165°F (74°C).
Toss in Sauce – Final Step (1–2 mins)
Transfer everything to a bowl and pour over your warm thickened sauce.
Toss until evenly coated and glossy.
Serving Suggestions
Serve over jasmine or coconut rice
Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions
Add a squeeze of lime for brightness
Storage
Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days.
Reheat in air fryer at 325°F for 4–5 mins.
Tips:
Want it spicier? Add red chili flakes or sriracha to the sauce.
Use thighs for juicier meat, but breasts work well too.
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer—work in batches if needed.