Ultimate Hawaiian Haystacks
Ditch the soup cans and crispy chow mein noodles, this homemade Hawaiian Haystacks recipe is the ultimate version of the classic! Made with a creamy from-scratch chicken sauce and layered with rice, fresh toppings, and plenty of flavor, these haystacks are a family favorite you’ll want on repeat.
Easy to customize, fun to serve, and perfect for weeknight dinners or feeding a crowd, this is Hawaiian Haystacks done right.
Alright, alright! I’m clearly not in Washington anymore, Toto. I’ve lived in Utah for well over a decade now, and Utah loves food and family—and you better get on board or risk being an outcast…ha! A Hawaiian haystack, also known as a “chicken sundae,” is a convenience dish with a rice base topped with chicken gravy, diced pineapple, tomatoes, Chinese noodles, cheese, and really whatever you want for a topping.
When we first moved here, we learned about Funeral Potatoes—a cheesy potato casserole with a terrible name. Then there’s the Swig cookie debate (I don’t do cold cookies), Navajo Tacos and Cafe Rio Sweet Pork, Cafe Rio Chicken, Cafe Rio Cilantro Lime Rice, Magleby’s Buttermilk syrup, and Waffle Love Copycat. Utah loves to be social and eat. I mentioned at a Relief Society meeting (a meeting with the women of our church congregation) that I’d never had Hawaiian Haystacks, and I swear fiery darts shot from everyone’s eyeballs.
Ingredients For Hawaiian Haystacks
Hawaiian haystacks are all about layering flavors and textures, and the right ingredients make all the difference. Gather everything before you start, and you’ll be ready to build these classic Utah comfort-food stacks that are perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or any casual gathering.
Base & Sauce
- Butter: Melted to create the base of the sauce
- Garlic: Whisked in for flavor
- Flour: Cooked with butter and garlic to form a roux
- Salt: Seasons the sauce
- Fresh Black Pepper: Adds a mild spice and depth
- Onion Powder: Enhances savory flavor
- Sour Cream: Stirred in to add creaminess and tang
- Lemon Juice: Brightens and balances the sauce
- Heavy Cream or Whole Milk: Helps create a smooth, rich texture
- Coconut Milk: Adds sweetness and signature tropical flavor
- Rotisserie Chicken: Mixed in as the protein
Toppings
- Green Onions: Garnish for fresh flavor
- Cooked Rice: The base layer for serving
- Wonton Strips: Adds crunch on top
- Olives: Provides a briny bite
- Raisins or Craisins: Sweet contrast to the savory sauce
- Tomatoes: Adds freshness and juiciness
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Melts slightly into the hot sauce
- Pineapple Chunks: Enhances the tropical flavor profile
- Mandarin Oranges: Adds sweetness and brightness
Other Toppings To Try
One of the best parts about Hawaiian haystacks is how customizable they are, perfect for picky eaters or feeding a crowd. You can leave off any toppings that don’t fit your group’s tastes or add in extras for more variety. Other popular choices include mushrooms, almonds, bell peppers, shredded coconut, celery, shredded carrots, water chestnuts, diced red onions, and peas for a classic touch. The beauty of this dish is that everyone can build their own stack just the way they like it.
How to Make Hawaiian Haystacks
Building Hawaiian haystacks is simple and fun. It’s hands-on, family-friendly, and perfect for any day of the week!
- Melt: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Whisk: Add garlic, then flour, and whisk for about a minute to cook out the raw flour flavor.
- Season: Stir in salt, pepper, and onion powder.
- Combine: Pour in sour cream, lemon juice, cream or milk, and half of the coconut milk.
- Simmer: Whisk and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer until thickened.
- Enrich: Stir in the remaining coconut milk and sour cream for added creaminess.
- Add: Fold in the chicken and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve: Layer rice on the bottom, spoon the chicken sauce over the top, and finish with your choice of toppings.
Storing and Reheating Hawaiian Haystacks
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
To reheat, gently warm the rice and chicken mixture on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through. Add the toppings just before serving to keep them fresh and crisp, especially ingredients like pineapple, celery, and wonton strips.
Proper storage and careful reheating will ensure your Hawaiian haystacks stay fresh, making them an easy and delicious meal for the next day.
This is the ultimate Hawaiian haystacks recipe, and you’re going to love it! Made from scratch with creamy coconut milk, fresh pineapple, and crispy wonton strips, it’s a fresh, flavorful take on a Utah favorite. It turned out so good that Hawaiian haystacks are officially a regular in our recipe rotation!
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Hawaiian Haystacks
Made with a creamy from-scratch chicken sauce and layered with rice, fresh toppings, and plenty of flavor, these haystacks are a family favorite you’ll want on repeat.
Course Mom’s Best 100 Easy Chicken Recipes
Cuisine American
Keyword chicken, coconut, main dish, pineapple hawaiian, rice
Prep Time 30 minutes minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes minutes
Total Time 50 minutes minutes
Servings 6
Calories 397kcal
Author Carrian Cheney
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic minced
- 2 Tablespoons Flour
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- Fresh Black Pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 Cup Sour Cream
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
- 1/2 Cup Heavy Cream or whole milk
- 1 Cup Coconut Milk divided
- 2 Cups Rotisserie Chicken cubed
Toppings
- 4 Cups Cooked Rice
- Wonton Strips
- Olives
- Raisins or Craisins
- Tomatoes chopped
- Shredded Cheese
- Pineapple chopped
- Mandarin Oranges drained
- Green Onions chopped
In saucepan over medium heat, add the butter and melt.
2 Tablespoons Butter
Add the garlic, whisking quickly and then flour and continue to whisk for one minute to remove the flour flavor.
1/2 teaspoon Garlic, 2 Tablespoons Flour
Add the remaining seasonings, cream and half the coconut milk.
1/2 teaspoon Salt, Fresh Black Pepper, 1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder, 1 Cup Sour Cream, 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice, 1/2 Cup Heavy Cream, 1 Cup Coconut Milk
Whisk and then bring to a simmer.
Allow to cook for 2 minutes or until thick.
Whisk in remaining coconut milk and sour cream.
Add the chicken and season to taste.
2 Cups Rotisserie Chicken
To serve, place rice on bottom, chicken gravy on top and any toppings you desire.
4 Cups Cooked Rice, Wonton Strips, Olives, Raisins or Craisins, Tomatoes, Shredded Cheese, Pineapple, Mandarin Oranges, Green Onions
Store leftovers in separate containers in the fridge.
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, gently warm the rice and chicken mixture on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through.
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 397kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 271mg | Potassium: 196mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 647IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 75mg | Iron: 2mg
READ: Ultimate Hawaiian Haystacks