Transport your taste buds to a tropical paradise with Hawaiian Haystacks! This tasty dish combines succulent chicken, vibrant fruit and crunchy toppings for a meal that’s as delicious as it is colourful.
Hawaiian Haystacks is a versatile and delicious meal that combines the best of sweet, savory and crunchy textures. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a get-together with friends, this dish allows everyone to customize their plate to their liking. The creamy chicken sauce pairs beautifully with fresh pineapple and tangerines, while the chow mein noodles and coconut flakes add a satisfying crunch. Whether you’re introducing new flavors to your family or want to impress your guests, Hawaiian Haystacks are a surefire hit!
The Origins of the Hawaiian Haystack
Despite the name suggesting otherwise, Hawaiian haystacks actually originated in the United States in the mid-20th century. This dish quickly gained popularity as a popular, easy-to-prepare dish that could be customized to suit different tastes and dietary needs. Despite its mainland roots, Hawaiian Haystacks captures the essence of the islands through its vibrant combination of ingredients and tropical flair.
frequently asked Questions
Yes, you can substitute brown rice for white rice, just keep in mind that the cooking time may be longer.
You can use shredded tortilla chips, crispy fried onions, or even slivers of almonds for an extra crunch.
Absolutely! For best results, substitute tempeh or your favorite plant-based chicken substitute for the chicken and use vegetable stock in the sauce.
For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour in the sauce and opt for gluten-free pasta or another gluten-free crunchy topping.
serving suggestions
Serve Hawaiian haystacks with a fresh green salad, steamed vegetable, or fruit salad to complete the meal. For a fun dining experience, consider setting up a buffet-style topping bar and letting your guests build their own haystacks! Feel free to get creative with additional toppings like diced avocado or sliced olives to suit your personal taste.
Storage and reheating instructions
Store leftovers separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Store the toppings and creamy chicken sauce separate from the rice to keep them fresh. To reheat, microwave the rice and chicken sauce separately, then reassemble with your desired toppings.
Related Recipes
If you like this recipe, you might also be interested in these other delicious buffet recipes:
Watch the video below where Caytlin will walk you through each step of this recipe. Sometimes having a picture helps and we’ve always got you covered with our cooking show. The complete collection of recipes can be found below youtube, Facebook clockor ours Facebook siteor directly here on our website with the corresponding recipes.
Transport your taste buds to a tropical paradise with Hawaiian Haystacks! This tasty dish combines succulent chicken, vibrant fruit and crunchy toppings for a meal that’s as delicious as it is colourful.
Ingredients
- 4 cups white rice cooked
- 2 cups pineapple rolled
- 2 cups Cheddar cheese shredded
- 2 cups Chow Mein Noodles
- 2 cups tomatoes rolled
- 1 Cup tangerines
- 1 Cup paprika rolled
- 1/2 Cup green onions rolled
- 1/2 Cup coconut flakes
Creamy chicken sauce
- 1/2 Cup butter
- 1/2 Cup all purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups chicken soup
- 2 cups Chicken boiled, shredded or diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
instructions
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Start by cooking the white rice according to package directions, then set aside and keep warm.
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To prepare the creamy chicken sauce, melt the butter in a large skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat.
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Once the butter has melted, stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to create a roux.
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Gradually whisk in the milk and chicken broth, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
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Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt and black pepper and stir to combine.
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Add the cooked and shredded or diced chicken and let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until thickened.
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While the sauce is simmering, prepare the toppings. Drain the tangerines and set aside. Dice the pineapple, tomatoes and peppers and chop the spring onions.
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To assemble the Hawaiian haystacks, start with a bed of rice on each plate. Top with the creamy chicken sauce, then add the diced pineapple, shredded cheddar cheese, crispy chow mein, diced tomatoes, diced peppers, chopped spring onions, and tangerines.
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Sprinkle coconut flakes on each plate. Serve hot and enjoy!