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Totally customizable Hawaiian Haystacks are a pile of fluffy rice stacked with chicken, gravy, and all your favorite toppings!

Hawaiian Haystacks are the ultimate weeknight dinner go-to. They’re quick, easy, and customizable! Plus, you can’t go wrong with chicken and rice mealsโ€”take our Cheesy Chicken and Rice, or Chicken and Rice Soup for example!

Easy Hawaiian Haystacks recipe on plate topped with wontons.

Not actually Hawaiian…

Funny enough, this dish didnโ€™t actually originate from Hawaii. Since it has a few โ€œHawaiianโ€ inspired ingredients like coconut and pineapple, people decided to use the state in the name.

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 handy, especially when I’m in a weeknight pinch and need something quick and easy 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 this recipe for Hawaiian haystacks is 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 are simple, and the toppings are easy as well!

Making the gravy in a white bowl for hawaiian haystacks.

How to Make Hawaiian Haystacks

The part of this hawaiian haystacks recipe that takes the most effort is making the gravy, and let me tell you now – it’s not hard at all.

Easily make it in a crockpot or saucepan. Even in the crockpot, these haystacks don’t take long.

SAUCE. Combine broth, soup, and sour cream in 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.

SERVING. Serve chicken and gravy over rice. Top with slivered almonds, shredded cheese, green onions, pineapple, fried wonton strips, and any other garnishes desired.

Saucepan Directions

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

Hawaiian Haystack toppings

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

  • Crunchy Chinese noodles or fried wontons
  • Veggies such as celery, lettuce, or bell peppers
  • Cashews
  • Seasoning salt
  • Salsa and sour cream
  • Mandarin oranges
  • Cauliflower Rice or brown rice

Storing info

Make ahead of time. The rice and gravy can be made ahead of time or stored as leftovers.

Hawaiian haystacks sauce can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat slowly over low heat. 

STORE. Cooked rice can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months.

To reheat: Place rice in a microwave-safe bowl and add a bit of water. Add a tight-fitting lid and cook in 30-second increments until warm and fluffy.

Hawaiian Haystacks recipe on plate topped with fried wontons.

Recipe FAQ

Why are Hawaiian haystacks called Hawaiian haystacks?

This dishย didnโ€™t actually originate from Hawaii. Because the recipe has a few โ€œHawaiianโ€ inspired ingredients, like coconut and pineapple, people decided to use Hawaii in the name. The “haystack” part of the name is because it looks like a haystack after piling all the toppings on the rice.

How do you cook chicken for Hawaiian haystacks?

You can cook it, and season it, however you like. I use oven baked chicken, but you could cook it in the crockpot or instant pot, on the grill, or even use rotisserie chicken.

For more recipes that feed a crowd, try:

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5 from 16 votes

Hawaiian Haystacks Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
Totally customizable Hawaiian Haystacks are a pile of fluffy rice stacked with chicken, gravy, and all your favorite toppings!
Servings: 4
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 35 minutes

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
  • ยฝ teaspoon salt
  • ยฝ 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 Benโ€™s converted white rice works best) and 1ยฝ cups water (or chicken broth). Cover and cook on high for 2โ€“3 hours, stirring every 20โ€“30 minutes. Once the water has been absorbed and the rice is soft and fluffy, itโ€™s ready. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g, Calories: 398kcal, Carbohydrates: 36g, Protein: 29g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 106mg, Sodium: 444mg, Potassium: 535mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 394IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 77mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and Iโ€™m the mom of SIX stinkinโ€™ cute kids and the wife to my smokinโ€™ hot hubby, Lo. My momโ€™s maiden name is Luna, and Iโ€™m one of the many crafty โ€œLilโ€™ Lunasโ€ 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!

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5 from 16 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




21 Comments

  1. Ginger C. says:

    5 stars
    The husband and kids love this. I love how easy it is. Winner everytime.

  2. Amy L Huntley says:

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

  3. Natalie says:

    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!

  4. Allyssa says:

    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!

  5. Monique says:

    5 stars
    Takes me back to my childhood! Delicious!

  6. kristina says:

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