🌴HAWAIIAN HAYSTACKS🌊
*no specific measurements-do it all to taste or by how much you need to make. You can't mess it up! 😉
🐔 Get ya some Shredded chicken! Store bought rotisserie, baked boiled, crockpot...whatever! 🌟 I crockpot mine with seasonings! *4 large breasts in the crockpot for my family for 2 dinners (we like leftovers)*
For my sauce I just get cream of chicken soup and add sour cream. Then a little milk to thin it out some. Salt, pepper, garlic salt. ( no real measurements, just kind of to taste) I heat it up and add the chicken and heat everything thru.
*2 LARGE (family) SOUPS for us. Probably 1 -1 1/2 cups sour cream. 1/2 cup milk? *
✨ For toppings you can do so many things! Our usual toppings are: shredded co-jack Cheese, Green Onions, Chinese Noodles, Coconut, Pineapple, Olives(for 2 of us) and Cashews. I know a lot of people also use tomatoes, celery, bell pepper, red onions and almonds. *Probably some other stuff I can't even think of. People get 🤪 crazy. Add whatever you think sounds good.*
I'd make about 3-4
cups of rice as well.
That's it. Set it up buffet style and everyone makes their own!
Hawaiian Haystacks are a fantastic dish for anyone seeking a comforting yet customizable meal. What I love about this recipe is how forgiving it is—you can really adjust everything from the shredded chicken to the sauce thickness and your choice of toppings to fit whatever you have at home or your personal preferences. When preparing the chicken, using a crockpot is a game changer. You can season the chicken breasts with garlic, onion powder, a little soy sauce, or even a Hawaiian-style seasoning blend before slow cooking. This method not only makes the chicken tender but also infuses it with flavor. Leftover rotisserie chicken works perfectly too if you're short on time. The creamy sauce combining cream of chicken soup with sour cream and milk is a quick shortcut that balances richness with a slight tang. I often add a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of hot sauce to give it a subtle kick. Heating the sauce gently before mixing it with the shredded chicken ensures everything is evenly coated and warm. Rice is essential as the base, and I usually cook Jasmine or long-grain white rice since their texture complements the toppings well. For an added touch, using coconut rice can enhance the island vibe of the dish. Speaking of toppings, this is where Hawaiian Haystacks really shine. Common toppings include shredded Co-Jack cheese, green onions, crispy Chinese noodles, shredded coconut, pineapple chunks, sliced olives, and cashews. But feel free to get creative—diced tomatoes, bell peppers, celery, or even diced avocado can add interesting textures and flavors. Toasting the coconut and nuts beforehand adds another layer of crunch and aroma. Setting up a buffet-style dinner with all these components lets everyone customize their own plate, making it a fun, interactive meal for families or gatherings. Leftovers reheat beautifully too, making Hawaiian Haystacks a convenient weeknight dinner option. Overall, this dish is a vibrant, tasty, and easy-to-make crowd pleaser. Give it a try and experiment with toppings that suit your taste buds!
