Hawaiian Haystacks

Hawaiian Haystacks start with a bed of rice that’s been topped with creamy chicken and gravy. The chicken is loaded with fun salad bar toppings like pineapple, chow mein noodles, olives, tomatoes, and cilantro. 

What are Hawaiian Haystacks?

 Hawaiian Haystacks contain shredded chicken that has been coated in a creamy gravy and served on top of rice. The rice is loaded with salad bar toppings (pretty much anything you’d find in a salad bar buffet, fresh-cut veggies, herbs, mandarin oranges, pineapple, etc.).

Typically the toppings are served potluck style and everyone chooses whatever they’d like to pile on top of the creamy chicken. 

Hawaiian Haystacks are wildly popular where I live and they show up at potlucks, neighborhood parties, and church events. They’re simple to make, incredibly tasty, and totally fun; who doesn’t like adding ridiculous amounts of toppings to a dinner?!

Ingredients In Hawaiian Haystacks

• Rice: It’s the main part of the meal that everything else goes on top of.
• Butter & Flour: Mixed together to thicken the sauce.
• Seasonings (Italian Seasoning, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder): They give the sauce its flavor.
• Chicken Bouillon Powder: Adds more chicken flavor to the sauce.
• Milk & Chicken Broth: Turn the thick paste into a creamy sauce.
• Sour Cream: Makes the sauce a bit tangy and even creamier.
• Cheddar Cheese: Makes the sauce cheesy and thick.
• Rotisserie Chicken: Adds protein to the dish and makes it filling.
• Toppings: Let you customize the dish with different flavors and textures.

How To Make Hawaiian Haystacks

• Make a roux. Melt butter and whisk in flour. Whisk until smooth and the raw flour taste has cooked off, about 1-2 minutes. 
• Add seasonings. Add seasonings — garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, chicken bouillon, salt and pepper. Stir until smooth.
• Alternate adding milk and chicken broth.  Stir slowly and gradually add in both liquids until sauce is smooth and thickened.
• Add freshly grated cheese and sour cream. Whisk until smooth.
• Stir in the prepared rotisserie chicken. Stir to coat and the chicken gravy is ready!
• While preparing the chicken gravy, prepare the rice and set out Hawaiian Haystack toppings. (More on toppings below).

Toppings

The best part of Hawaiian Haystacks is the toppings. I like to pick up to six of the ones listed below and add them to individual bowls. Everyone can then pick what they like best and pile it on top of the rice and chicken gravy.

The two toppings I’d say are must-haves with Hawaiian Haystacks are pineapple and crispy chow mein noodles. In fact, we typically layer rice, chicken, and crushed or diced pineapple right on top before adding other toppings.

• Additional grated cheese, Chopped sweet bell peppers, Chopped green bell peppers, Dried chow mein noodles, Slivered almonds, Drained mandarin oranges, Crushed pineapple or freshly chopped pineapple, Thinly sliced green onions, Golden raisins, Shredded coconut, Chopped spinach, Sliced olives, Grape tomatoes, Chopped broccoli, Sliced celery, Sliced or diced avocado, Fresh cilantro, Diced ham, Diced bacon, Crushed cashews, orBean sprouts.

I’d love to know how you top your Hawaiian Haystacks. Leave a comment below in the comment section.

Make These Hawaiian Haystacks For A Crowd

More Easy Dinner Recipes

• Turkey Tacos 20-minute ground turkey tacos
• Easy, skillet Chicken Ramen
• Pesto Chicken Salad served on croissants or in lettuce wraps
• Chicken Vegetable Soup with roasted vegetables
• Chicken Gnocchi Soup Olive Garden copycat

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5 from 3 votes

Hawaiian Haystacks

By Chelsea Lords

These Hawaiian Haystacks start with a bed of rice that's been topped with creamy chicken gravy. The chicken is loaded with fun salad bar toppings like pineapple, crispy chow mein noodles, olives, tomatoes, and cilantro.

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 cup white or brown rice
• ▢ 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ▢ 1/4 cup white, all-purpose flour
• ▢ 1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon EACH: freshly cracked pepper, garlic powder, onion powder
• ▢ 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon powder
• ▢ 1 cup whole milk
• ▢ 1 cup chicken broth or stock
• ▢ 1/4 cup sour cream
• ▢ 1 cup extra-sharp Cheddar cheese, freshly grated
• ▢ 4 cups prepared rotisserie chicken shredded/chopped (Note 1)
• ▢ Toppings of choice such as black olives, cherry tomatoes, crispy chow mein noodles, drained crushed pineapple, green onions (see blog post for more ideas)

Instructions 

• RICE: Cook the rice with water, according to package instructions.
• ROUX: Meanwhile, in a skillet, over medium heat, melt the butter. Slowly whisk in the flour until completely combined with no chunks (a thick dough will form). Stir over medium heat for 1 minute. Add in the 1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, and 2 teaspoons bouillon powder.
• FINISH GRAVY: Gradually (while whisking constantly) add in the chicken stock or broth and then the milk. Bring to a boil and then immediately reduce the heat to low. Stir over low heat until nicely thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the 1/4 cup sour cream and 1 cup Cheddar cheese. Mix until melted and smooth and then stir in 4 cups shredded chicken (See Note 1). Taste sauce and adjust seasonings. Add salt if needed (See Note 2); flavors should sing!
• TOPPINGS: Pick as many toppings as you'd like (we think canned crushed pineapple or freshly diced pineapple and chow mein noodles are must-haves!) and separate toppings into bowls.
• SERVE: Add rice to plates, and top with chicken gravy. Let everyone pick their toppings and add them right on top. Enjoy immediately.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Chicken: If you'd like a more saucy chicken (bigger emphasis on the gravy), only add 3 to 3 and 1/2 cups rotisserie chicken. 

Note 2: Salt: Add salt to personal preference; the amount of salt will depend on the stock used and the bouillon used (so you may not even need any at all!). Add slowly; you can always add more. 

Nutrition

Calories: 919kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 79g | Fat: 46g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 301mg | Sodium: 2219mg | Potassium: 251mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 833IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 322mg | Iron: 1mg

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

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