First Step: Prep and Marinate the Chicken
Strain the pineapple chunks from the canned pineapple, reserving the juice for the marinade. In a resealable bag or bowl, combine ½ cup pineapple juice, ½ cup coconut milk, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 cloves minced garlic, 2 teaspoons sesame oil, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Add the 1 ½ pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs, coating them thoroughly. Refrigerate and marinate for at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours. Avoid exceeding 24 hours to prevent the chicken from becoming mushy due to pineapple enzymes.

Second Step: Cook the Chicken
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil or avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off, and sear it carefully without moving for 3-4 minutes until browned on one side. Flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the chicken is golden. Remove from the pan and set aside. Reserve the marinade for later.

Third Step: Prepare the Coconut Pineapple Rice
Measure the reserved pineapple juice and coconut milk to make a total of 3 cups of liquid. Pour this into the skillet used for the chicken, scraping all browned bits from the bottom to infuse flavor. Stir in 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Fourth Step: Add Rice and Pineapple Chunks
Stir 1 ½ cups of uncooked jasmine rice and the drained pineapple chunks into the skillet. Nestle the seared chicken pieces on top of the rice mixture. Cover the skillet, reduce heat to low, and cook for 20-25 minutes until the rice is tender and fluffy, and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).

Final Step: Serve and Garnish
Once cooked, remove the skillet from heat. Garnish the Hawaiian chicken with coconut rice with fresh cilantro leaves, chopped cashews or toasted coconut flakes, sliced green onions, and optional sesame seeds for added texture and flavor. Serve warm, optionally alongside a vibrant pineapple salsa made with diced pineapple, lime juice, shallots, jalapeño, fresh thyme, and diced avocado, to introduce a fresh contrast.