• Home
  • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
  • My Stinky Life

Little Dairy On the Prairie

my perfectly stinky life

  • Recipe Index
    • Appetizers and Snacks
    • Bread
      • Muffins
      • Quick Bread
      • Rolls
      • Yeast Bread
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
      • Brownies
      • Cakes & Cupcakes
      • Candy
      • Cookies
      • Cheesecakes
      • Frozen Desserts
      • Fruit Desserts
      • No Bake
      • Pies
    • Drinks
    • Holidays
      • Christmas
      • Fourth of July
      • Halloween
      • St. Patrick’s Day
      • Thanksgiving
      • Valentines Day
    • Main Dish Recipes
      • Beef
      • Chicken/Poultry
      • Grill
      • Pizza/Pasta
      • Pork
      • Quick Meals
      • Sandwiches
      • Slow Cooker
    • Salad
      • Salad Dressing
    • Sauces
      • Jams, Jelly’s, and Honey
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup
    • Canning and Preserving
  • Tips & Tricks
  • My Stinky Life
  • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
Main Dish Recipes » Hawaiian Haystacks with the BEST Chicken Sauce

Hawaiian Haystacks with the BEST Chicken Sauce

Created by Amy Engberson 3 Comments

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Yummly
Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
Two images of Hawaiian haystacks with curry.

Hawaiian Haystacks is a quick and easy meal that my kids are in LOVE with! Serve fluffy rice with this amazing chicken sauce, then pile it high with your favorite toppings!

BTW, my recipe is a little different than others because this chicken gravy is made from scratch and not from cream of chicken soup. It’s totally worth the little bit of effort to make it.

Hawaiian haystacks recipe with pineapple and other toppings.

I didn’t learn about Hawaiian Haystacks until after I got married. And I’ll be honest, I thought it was kinda weird to eat sweet fruits and savory vegetables together….let alone with chicken and gravy!

Boy was I wrong!

The combination of flavors is to die for! And it’s super fun because we serve our favorite toppings buffet style and everyone gets to load their haystack up just the way they want! Even my pickiest eater loves them!

The haystacks I first learned about are made with cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and milk. I think it has some seasonings too. I guess it’s an old Utah Mormon recipe.

But, then my friend Becki introduced me to her mom’s Hawaiian Curry recipe that she uses for the chicken sauce in her Hawaiian Haystacks!

This is life and so worth the little bit of extra time it takes to make the gravy from scratch!

Ingredients needed to make Hawaiian haystacks recipe.

Hawaiian Haystacks Ingredients:

I’m just going to list the ingredients needed to make the gravy and rice. See below for topping suggestions.

  • Rice: White rice is our favorite. You can also use brown rice or jasmine rice.
  • Butter: Real butter is best. Salted or unsalted
  • Onion: White, sweet, yellow, red
  • All-purpose Flour: Substitute cornstarch to make gluten-free haystacks
  • Milk: 2%, whole, or skim
  • Pineapple Juice: If you’re using pineapple as a topping reserve the juice from that
  • Chicken Broth: Optional, you can use all pineapple juice instead
  • Seasonings: Curry, salt, ground ginger
  • Shredded Chicken: boneless skinless chicken breast or rotisserie chicken is a great headstart on this meal. You can also use canned chicken. See other canned chicken recipes!
A plate with rice and Hawaiian haystacks gravy topped with vegetables and fruit.

How to Make Hawaiian Haystacks:

How to cook chicken:

You’ll need shredded or diced chicken for this recipe. I love making it ahead of time in big batches to save time.

  • Stovetop: Add chicken to a saucepan and cover with water. Turn heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to hold a simmer. Cook until chicken is tender and reaches 165 degrees. Depending on the thickness of the chicken this will take about 30 minutes.
  • Pressure Cooker: Using the Instant Pot to cook chicken is my favorite way. Add chicken breast and 1 cup chicken broth to the pot. Close lid and pressure valve. Cook on high pressure for 8-10 minutes. Open pressure valve to release steam.
  • Slow Cooker: Add chicken to the slow cooker. Cover with chicken broth. Cook on high for 3-4 hours.

Little Dairy on the Prairie Pro Tip: Be sure to check out the easiest way to shred chicken using an electric mixer. I love making lots and freezing it for recipes just like this!

Hawaiian Curry Instructions:

  • Melted butter and sautéed onions in a saucepan.
  • Sautéed onions with curry and other seasonings.

STEP 1: Melt butter in a sauce pan. Sautee onions until tender.

STEP 2: Add curry, ginger, and salt to onions.

  • Flour, butter, and onions to make a roux.
  • Hawaiian Curry with shredded chicken in a saucepan.

STEP 3: Add flour and stir until thickened to make a roux. This will take about 5-7 minutes.

Chicken in curry gravy.

STEP 4: Add cooked shredded or diced chicken. Stir.

Make Ahead Instructions:

Follow the steps as listed above. Once the chicken and gravy are made store them in the refrigerator.

Prepare all the toppings ahead of time and keep them in individual containers until it’s time to serve. This is a great recipe for a crowd since it can mostly be made ahead of time and it’s easy to make a lot!

To reheat Hawaiian Haystacks in the microwave until warmed through. Time will vary depending on how much gravy you have and how hot your microwave heats.

Add chicken and gravy to the crockpot and cook it on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-4 hours. It’s such a lifesaver to come home to dinner in the slow cooker on busy days!

Hawaiian Haystacks recipe with curry, fruit, and veggies like pineapple.

Fun toppings ideas:

The sky is the limit here! Try to be open minded because I know how weird some of these combinations sound. Trust me, they’re amazing together!

  • Fruit: Pineapple tidbits, mandarin oranges, grapes, dried cranberries
  • Vegetables: Diced tomatoes, green peppers, green onions, thawed green peas, celery
  • Shredded Cheese: This is a must! Cheddar, Colby Jack, Monterey Jack are all good options.
  • Nuts: Slivered walnuts, chopped almonds, or pecans.
  • Coconut: shredded. So good!
  • Chow Mein Noodles: Not my favorite.
  • Olives: I don’t do this one but I know lots of people do.

Other Make-Ahead Chicken Recipes:

Looking for more quick and easy weeknight dinner ideas? Here is a list of some of our favorite easy chicken recipes!

  • Crockpot Chicken Nachos: It will be ready for you to build your own nachos when you are!
  • Lime Verde Chicken: Makes the best tacos.
  • Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Pizza: Use flatbread crust to make it really easy!
  • Italian Chicken Sandwiches: Prep all the ingredients ahead of time.
  • Chicken Enchilada Casserole: Make it. Refrigerate it. Then bake it when you’re ready.

Oh, and Hawaiian Burgers are amazing if you’re in love with Hawaiian flavors!

I love it when you make my recipes and give me feedback! If you have a minute please comment below and leave a star ranking! Also, be sure to follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook!

Grab my Hawaiian Haystacks Recipe:

Hawaiian Haystacks recipe with curry, fruit, and veggies like pineapple.

Hawaiian Haystacks

Hawaiian Haystacks is a quick and easy meal that my kids are in LOVE with! Serve fluffy rice with this amazing chicken sauce, then pile it high with your favorite toppings!
BTW, my recipe is a little different than others because this chicken gravy is made from scratch and not from cream of chicken soup. It’s totally worth the little bit of effort to make it.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Easy Chicken and Rice, Hawaiian Chicken Curry, Hawaiian Haystacks, Hawaiian Haystacks Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Calories: 348kcal
Author: Amy

Ingredients

To make the Hawaiian curry:

  • 6 Tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 cup onion diced
  • 6 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ginger
  • 2 teaspoons curry powder
  • 1 cup milk whole, 2%, or skim
  • 2 cups pineapple juice see note below
  • 2 cups boneless skinless chicken breasts shredded or diced

To serve with the Curry Sauce:

  • 6 cups cooked rice any variety

Instructions

  • Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add diced onions and sautee until tender, about 5 minutes.
  • Add seasonings and flour to the onions. Continue cooking and stirring until a paste is formed.
  • While whisking slowly add milk and pineapple juice. Continue stirring until the mixture is thickened. This will take about 5-7 minutes. You want it the constency of a thick soup.
  • Add cooked and shredded or diced chicken. Stir.
  • Serve over hot cooked rice with your favorite toppings.

Notes

Pineapple Juice: 
  • If you’re using pineapple for a topping, drain the pineapple and reserve the juice to use in the sauce.
  • You’ll need 2 cups of pineapple juice. If you don’t have quite enough you can use more milk or chicken broth to make the rest of the 2 cups.
Toppings: (Not included in nutritional information)
  • Fruit: Pineapple tidbits, mandarin oranges, grapes, dried cranberries
  • Vegetables: Diced tomatoes, green peppers, green onions, thawed green peas, celery
  • Shredded Cheese: This is a must! Cheddar, Colby Jack, Monterey Jack are all good options.
  • Nuts: Slivered walnuts, chopped almonds, or pecans.
  • Coconut: shredded. So good!
  • Chow Mein Noodles: Not my favorite.
  • Olives: I don’t do this one but I know lots of people do.
Make-Ahead Instructions:
  • To reheat Hawaiian Haystacks in the microwave until warmed through. Time will vary depending on how much gravy you have and how hot your microwave heats.
  • Add chicken and gravy to the crockpot and cook it on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-4 hours. It’s such a lifesaver to come home to dinner in the slow cooker on busy days!
 

Nutrition

Calories: 348kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 571mg | Potassium: 328mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 331IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @littledairyontheprairie or tag #littledairyontheprairie!
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Yummly

Subscribe Via Email

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER TO GET ALL THE RECIPES SENT STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX!

about amy

About Amy Engberson

I live on a dairy with my husband and three boys. Although we are in the business of raising cattle, we really are in the business of raising boys. I am passionate about catching up with each other at meal times. My love language is food. And I hope that my men feel the love in every bite. Read more...

Filed Under: Chicken/Poultry, Main Dish Recipes, Slow Cooker Tagged With: chicken, hawaiian haystacks, rice, slow cooker

← Tenderloin Steak – How to Cook it Perfect Every Time Easy French Dressing Recipe →

More You'll Love:

  • The BEST Crockpot Creamy Chicken NachosThe BEST Crockpot Creamy Chicken Nachos
  • Slow Cooker Raspberry Chicken DrumsticksSlow Cooker Raspberry Chicken Drumsticks
  • Slow Cooker Spicy Orange Chicken DrumsticksSlow Cooker Spicy Orange Chicken Drumsticks
  • Slow Cooker Skinny Orange ChickenSlow Cooker Skinny Orange Chicken

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Elaine Duckett says

    May 9, 2013 at 1:58 pm

    Well there you go again. Sharing one of my favorite things to serve when entertaining. I served these for an adult dinner and they loved them. One couple even asked me for the recipe, so I gave it to them. He said they have them when company comes because they are kind of special, or for Sunday Dinner because they so fast and easy.

    He didn’t say there was a place reserved for me in heaven, but I am sure the thought it. Come to think of it, our guests were city folk and not country people, so maybe that is why he didn’t offer such a comment. But they slicked their plates right up too and asked for more.

    Curry is one of my all time favorite spices. It sits right next to the salt shaker, which I use all of the time. Everybody should use curry until the love it too.

    Reply
  2. Erin says

    February 22, 2021 at 7:47 pm

    5 stars
    We LOVED the chicken sauce!! So much tastier than the traditional recipe. I especially loved the curry flavor! My kids ate it right up!

    Reply
    • Amy Engberson says

      February 23, 2021 at 10:55 am

      I agree! This recipe is so much better than the “cream of whatever” soup recipes! And if you’re kids at it, you know it’s a winner!

      Reply
Hi I’m Amy! Welcome to my stinky farm life where my days are filled with chasing kids and cows! It’s all about simply delicious food around here! If you leave my house hungry…it’s your own fault! Read More..

Subscribe Via Email

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER TO GET ALL THE RECIPES SENT STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX!

Readers Favorites

  • Dill Pickle Grilled Cheese Sandwich
  • No Bake Salted Caramel Cookies
  • Simple Puff Pastry Apple Tart
  • Sweet Freezer Corn Recipe

Save Room for Dessert

A stack of peppermint cookies with white chocolate chips and crushed candy canes.
A caramel square with sea salt in a candy wrapper.
Overhead view of chocolate pudding cake with hot fudge sauce and whipped cream.
a piece of banana cream pie with a graham cracker crust, chocolate drizzle, and whipped cream on top

Little Dairy on the Prairie is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

archives

categories

search

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you found something to share with your family. They will feel the love!! Leave me a comment and let me know you were here!

Copyright ©2021, Little Dairy On the Prairie. All Rights Reserved. Custom design by Pixel Me Designs

Subscribe Via Email

Sign up for my newsletter so you won't miss out on anything that's happening around here!

[close]
Brought to you by
Displet
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Yummly