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Tasty Tuesday Hawaiian haystacks over coconut-lime rice with toasted macadamia nuts and mandarin oranges.

Tasty Tuesday Hawaiian Haystacks

Rebecca Blumer
A cozy Utah classic with a tropical twist! Build your own plate with creamy chicken gravy, coconut-lime rice, and a colorful array of crunchy, sweet, and savory toppings for the ultimate weeknight meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Utah Cuisine
Servings 6 servings
Calories 585 kcal

Equipment

  • Medium saucepan
  • Whisk
  • Serving Bowls

Ingredients
 

Haystacks:

  • 2 cups cooked and cubed chicken
  • 4 cups cooked rice
  • 1 can mandarin oranges 1 or 2 cans
  • 1 small can Chow Mien Noodles
  • 0.5 cup chopped celery
  • 0.25 cup chopped green peppers optional
  • 1 can pineapple tidbits
  • 4 ounces grated cheese or more
  • 0.5 cup sunflower seeds, almonds or nuts
  • 0.5 cup coconut
  • 1 cup frozen peas thawed
  • 1 tomato chopped
  • 0.5 cup broccoli chopped
  • 0.5 cup cauliflower chopped
  • 1 can olives chopped

Gravy:

  • 2 cans Cream of Chicken Soup
  • 1.5 cups chicken broth up to 2 cups depending on preference

Instructions
 

Cook the rice base

  • Cook the rice according to the package directions. For a tropical twist, substitute half of the cooking water with coconut milk and add lime zest. Once cooked, fluff the grains until they are separate and steaming.

Build the chicken gravy

  • Place a medium saucepan over medium heat and whisk together the Cream of Chicken Soup and chicken broth. Continue whisking until the mixture is smooth, glossy, and free of streaks.
  • Stir in the cooked, cubed chicken. Heat the mixture until it is steaming and hot throughout, ensuring the gravy is thick enough to coat the chicken without becoming pasty.

The stacking ritual

  • Begin by spooning a generous base layer of warm, fluffy rice onto each plate.
  • Ladle the hot chicken gravy immediately over the rice, allowing it to soak into the edges.
  • Sprinkle the grated cheese over the hot gravy so it begins to melt and acts as a base for the other toppings.
  • Layer your chosen toppings starting with heavier vegetables, followed by the fruit, and finishing with chow mein noodles and nuts to ensure they stay perfectly crisp.

Notes

Gravy Consistency: If your gravy is too thin, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water and whisk it into the simmering gravy. If it is too thick, simply add a small splash of chicken broth until it reaches your desired consistency.
Storage Strategy: To maintain the best texture, store the rice, gravy, and individual toppings in separate containers. Reheat the rice with a splash of water to keep it fluffy and warm the gravy on the stovetop.
Crunch Maintenance: Never stir the chow mein noodles or nuts into the gravy ahead of time. Add them at the very last second to ensure they provide a loud, fresh crunch in every bite.
Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.

Nutrition

Calories: 585kcalCarbohydrates: 72gProtein: 32gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 1150mgPotassium: 480mgFiber: 5gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 18IUVitamin C: 25mgCalcium: 165mgIron: 3.2mg
Keyword Chicken and Rice, Hawaiian Haystacks, Tasty Tuesday
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