Hawaiian Haystacks {20-Minute Recipe}

This easy Hawaiian Haystacks recipe features a simple creamy chicken gravy served over rice and finished with all your favorite toppings. It’s a fun, budget-friendly family dinner that comes together in just 20 minutes using pantry staples and a rotisserie chicken shortcut!

Looking for more easy chicken dinners? Try my Creamed Chicken or Chicken à la King. You’ll also find plenty of ideas in my collection of Easy Chicken Recipes.

What Are Hawaiian Haystacks?

Hawaiian Haystacks (sometimes called “Chicken Sundaes”) are a creamy chicken gravy served over rice or mashed potatoes, topped with an assortment of sweet, savory, and crunchy toppings. The dish gets its name from popular toppings like pineapple and shredded coconut. This version comes from my Great Aunt Bee, who has been sending me her favorite family recipes from North Carolina for years.

Before You Get Started

A few quick tips will help you get the best results with this recipe.

• Use already-cooked chicken. Rotisserie chicken is the easiest shortcut, but leftover grilled or baked chicken works great too. You’ll need about 4 cups shredded or diced.
• Don’t boil the gravy. Keep the heat at medium to medium-low and stir regularly. Boiling can cause the sour cream to separate or curdle.
• Set out your toppings before you start cooking. The chicken gravy comes together quickly, so having everything ready makes assembly smooth.

How to Make Hawaiian Haystacks

This recipe comes together quickly once your chicken is ready. The gravy takes about 10 minutes on the stovetop, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

Step 1: Make the Gravy Base

In a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, cream of celery soup (or cream of mushroom, if you prefer), sour cream, and chicken broth until smooth. You can substitute milk for the broth if that’s what you have on hand.

Stir frequently as it warms to prevent sticking.

⇢ Keep the heat at medium or below. You want the mixture warm and smooth, not boiling. High heat can cause the sour cream to separate. For a less creamy version, you can omit the sour cream entirely.

Step 2: Add the Chicken

Once the gravy is warmed through and smooth, stir in the shredded chicken. Continue cooking over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is heated through (about 5 minutes).

⇢ Taste and adjust the seasoning. The gravy is fairly mild, so feel free to add salt, pepper, garlic powder, or a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten it up.

⇢ Adjust the consistency as needed. Add more broth a little at a time if you prefer a thinner gravy.

⇢ Slow Cooker Option: Whisk together the soups, sour cream, broth, and chicken in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 2-3 hours or HIGH for 1-2 hours, stirring once or twice, until warmed through. Keep on WARM for serving. If starting with raw chicken, you’ll need about 2 lbs. of boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs; increase the cooking tie to 4-6 hours on LOW or 2-3 hours on HIGH. Shred the meat when it’s cooked through.

Step 3: Set Up the Toppings

While the gravy warms, arrange your toppings in small bowls. Setting these out buffet-style is half the fun, especially for kids who love building their own plates.

Step 4: Assemble and Serve

Divide cooked rice or mashed potatoes among individual bowls or plates. Spoon the warm chicken gravy over the top, then let everyone add their favorite toppings.

Hawaiian Haystacks Toppings

The best part of this meal is that everyone can customize their own plates. The classic combination includes pineapple tidbits, shredded coconut, chow mein noodles, sliced green onions, and shredded cheddar cheese. Feel free to mix and match from the options below!

Fruits & Vegetables:

• Pineapple tidbits (drained)
• Mandarin oranges
• Shredded coconut
• Diced tomatoes
• Sliced green onions
• Diced bell peppers (red or green)
• Diced celery
• Sliced water chestnuts
• Sliced black olives
• Thawed frozen peas

Crunchy Toppings & Cheese:

• Chow mein noodles
• Slivered almonds
• Chopped peanuts
• Shredded cheddar cheese

⇢ You don’t need all of these! Pick 5-8 toppings your family enjoys. Kids often gravitate toward the sweeter options like pineapple, mandarin oranges, and coconut, plus cheese and chow mein noodles for crunch.

What to Serve with Hawaiian Haystacks

The chicken and gravy is traditionally served over white rice or sour cream mashed potatoes. For a lighter option, try garlic Parmesan cauliflower mash or cauliflower rice. You can also serve over brown rice, wild rice, or even egg noodles.

Breads:

• 3-Ingredient Buttermilk Biscuits
• Southern Cornbread
• Soft Dinner Rolls

Vegetables:

• Roasted Asparagus
• Southern-Style Green Beans
• Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

A simple Green Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette or Caesar Salad rounds out the meal nicely.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Make Ahead: Prepare the chicken and gravy up to 3 days in advance. Let it cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stovetop before serving.

Leftovers: Store leftover chicken and gravy in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.

Freezing: You can freeze the chicken and gravy for up to 3 months, but leave out the sour cream. Stir in the sour cream after thawing and reheating to prevent separation.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Easy Chicken Dinners

• Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
• Chicken and Biscuits
• Easy Chicken and Dumplings
• Chicken and Rice Casserole with Mushroom Soup
• Cheesy Chicken and Rice