Hawaiian Haystacks

A pile of fluffy rice stacked with chicken, gravy, and all your favorite toppings! Totally customizable, and great for feeding a crowd!

This is the ultimate weeknight dinner go-to. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s customizable! Plus, you can’t go wrong with chicken and rice meals. We also love Cheesy Chicken and Rice, or Chicken and Rice Soup for a satisfying weeknight meal.

Easy Hawaiian Haystacks recipe on plate

Not actually hawaiian…

Funny enough, this recipe didn’t actually originate from Hawaii. But it adopted the name since it has a few “Hawaiian” inspired ingredients like coconut and pineapple.

The “haystack” part of the name is because you pile all those toppings onto the chicken and rice, and it kind of looks like a haystack.

This dinner recipe has come in hand, especially when I’m in a weeknight pinch and need something quick, easy, and that will satisfy even my picky eaters! I’m sure we could all use another easy dinner recipe to add to the meal rotation and these haystacks are perfect.

I love that Hawaiian Haystacks can be made to serve mass quantities for parties or church functions! Rice isn’t hard to make a lot of, the chicken and gravy is simple, and the toppings are easy as well!

Plus people get to pick and choose what toppings they want on it, so it’s basically impossible for them not to like it. 😉

Sauce and gravy for Hawaiian Haystacks recipe

How to Make Hawaiian Haystacks

The part of this recipe that takes the most effort is making the gravy, and let me tell you now… It’s not even hard. You can easily make it in the crockpot, or a saucepan. Even in the crockpot, it doesn’t take long.

Crock Pot. Combine broth, soup and sour cream into your crock pot and stir to combine. Add chicken chunks (I use this baked chicken or leftover rotisserie), salt and pepper, and stir. Cover and cook on high for 1-2 hours or on low for 3-4 hours.

Saucepan. In a large saucepan, combine the soup and broth. Add sour cream, chicken, salt and pepper, and heat over medium heat stirring occasionally. Once it’s heated through (10 minutes or so), it’s ready to be served over the rice!

Wonton strips being fried

Other topping ideas

In addition to the classic chicken and gravy, pineapple, tomatoes, olives, green onions, and cheese, you could also try:

  • Crunchy chinese noodles
  • Fried wontons
  • Celery
  • Lettuce
  • Seasoning salt
  • Salsa
  • Sour cream
Hawaiian Haystacks recipe on plate

For more great chicken recipes, check out:

Hawaiian Haystacks Recipe

5 from 13 votes
Totally customizable Hawaiian Haystacks are a pile of fluffy rice stacked with chicken, gravy, and all your favorite toppings!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 398 kcal
Author Lil’ Luna

Ingredients

  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can chicken broth
  • 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2-3 chicken breasts cooked and cubed
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 3-4 cups steamed white rice or minute rice made according to the package instructions

Garnishes

  • slivered almonds, shredded cheese, green onions, pineapple tidbits, chow mein noodles, chopped celery, Homemade Wonton Strips

Instructions
 

  • Combine broth, soup, and sour cream in a slow cooker and stir to mix.
  • Add chicken cubes, salt, and pepper and stir. Cover and cook on high for 1-2 hours or on low for 3-4 hours.
  • Serve chicken and gravy over rice. Top with slivered almonds, shredded cheese, green onions, pineapple, fried wonton strips, and any other garnishes desired.

Video

Notes

Stove Top Directions: Combine broth and soup in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add sour cream, chicken, salt, and pepper and mix. Cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through, about 10 minutes, then serve over rice.
To Make with Uncooked Chicken: Add uncooked chicken cubes in Step 2, along with salt and pepper. Stir, cover, and cook in the crock pot on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.
To Make Rice in the Slow Cooker: Coat the inside of your slow cooker with butter or cooking spray. Add 1 cup rice (Uncle Ben’s converted white rice works best) and 1½ cups water (or chicken broth). Cover and cook on high for 2–3 hours, stirring every 20–30 minutes. Once the water has been absorbed and the rice is soft and fluffy, it’s ready. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Like this recipe?

Pin it now to remember it later! Share it with your Facebook friends (you know they’ll love it). Or tweet it to the world. Maybe even email it to your favorite cousin!

Related Posts

Baked Chicken Chimichangas

Baked Chicken Chimichangas are like a crispy burrito, stuffed with chicken + cheese. Everyone will love this simple restaurant-style recipe! Crispy, Baked Chicken Chimichangas are simple to make and are…

25 minutes

4.99 from 85 votes

Artichoke Pizza

Artichoke pizza is so cheesy and delicious, with a unique combination of flavors. It’s perfect for your next pizza night! Does your family love pizza as much as mine does?…

21 minutes

5 from 7 votes

Sausage Soup

Hearty and delicious Italian Sausage Soup is filled with veggies. This simple stovetop recipe is great to enjoy all year long! If you love savory sausage soup, you’ll love our…

45 minutes

5 from 11 votes

Chorizo Recipe

Follow these simple steps to marinate and cook up your own fresh Chorizo from home! It takes some time, but it’s worth it! Make your own fresh Mexican chorizo to…

2 days 25 minutes

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

Join the Conversation

Rate and Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments:

  1. I am so glad you posted this! I’ve been wanting to make Hawaiin Haystacks for days and just haven’t looked up the recipe, so it was a great surprise to find the blog post in my e-mail inbox! Thanks!

  2. This may sound like a dumb question, but what is that garnish you have used in this picture??

    1. Not dumb at all – it’s homemade fried wontons (buy wonton wrappers, cut in strips and fry – DELISH) and green onions. 😉

      1. Well it looks absolutely delicious! I will be making this very soon! Thanks much for the reply, and sharing the recipe!!!

  3. I have never had this dish before but it looks very delicious and easy to make. I will have to give this a try. 🙂

  4. 5 stars
    Hawaiian Haystacks are one of our favorite meals to make when we are feeding a crowd. Everyone loves it & they can add their favorite toppings.

  5. 5 stars
    When we are feeding a large crowd, this is our go-to recipe! So many topping to choose from and full of many flavors!

  6. 5 stars
    I usually eat my haystacks fairly plain, but The chicken gravy for this was really good. DEFINITELY a keeper.

  7. 5 stars
    This is so tasty and really easy to make! Thanks a lot for sharing this hawaiian haystacks recipe! I highly recommend this! Will have this again!

  8. 5 stars
    I love making Hawaiian haystacks when feeding a crowd. You can make a ton & everyone can put what they want on them. They are always so good!

  9. 5 stars
    We make this meal often! It is so simple to make and you can add so many different toppings!