Hawaiian Lilikoi Chicken
A vibrant and flavorful chicken dish featuring the tropical tang of lilikoi (passion fruit). This recipe balances sweet, sour, and savory notes for a truly island-inspired meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs Chicken thighs(boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 1/2 cup Lilikoi (passion fruit) pulp(fresh or frozen, seeds strained if preferred)
- 1/4 cup Soy sauce
- 2 tbsp Brown sugar
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 tsp Ginger(grated fresh)
- 1 tbsp Sesame oil
- 1 tbsp Cornstarch(mixed with 2 tbsp water for slurry)
- 1 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 2 stalks Green onions(sliced, for garnish)
- 1 tsp Sesame seeds(toasted, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a bowl, combine the lilikoi pulp, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil. Whisk to combine.
- 2
Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and toss to coat. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes at room temperature, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator.
- 3
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- 4
Remove chicken from marinade, reserving the marinade. Add chicken to the hot skillet and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- 5
Pour the reserved marinade into the skillet. Bring to a simmer.
- 6
Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes.
- 7
Serve the lilikoi chicken hot, garnished with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. It pairs well with steamed rice.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓If using fresh lilikoi, strain out the seeds for a smoother sauce, or leave them in for a more rustic texture.
- ✓Adjust the amount of brown sugar to balance the tartness of the passion fruit.
- ✓For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinade.
🔄 Variations
- Use shrimp or firm tofu instead of chicken.
- Add sliced bell peppers or onions to the stir-fry for extra vegetables.