I'm really excited about this Hawaiian Haystacks Recipe. They are not only delicious, they are a family favorite recipe and so easy to make in the Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker plus I will also show you how to make on the Stove too. I'm going to help you step by step with this easy Family Recipe, I promise!
Topped with all your favorite toppings even those picky eaters will love this meal as they stack up their favorites and take a big bite!
If you follow me at all, then you know how much I love to use my Instant Pot. Making Hawaiian Haystacks becomes super simple and I rarely have leftovers. So feel free to double this recipe if you have big eaters.
The Toppings used in Hawaiian Haystacks are plentiful. I'll list some of our favorites but I bet you have some of you own to add too. Remember, this is for YOU, so add your favorite toppings and enjoy it your way.
Favorite Hawaiian Haystack Toppings:
- Chinese Noodles
- Almond Slivers
- Sweetened Coconut
- Green Onions
- Cheese
- Celery
- Tomatoes
- Green Bell Pepper
- Pineapple
- Olives
This recipe was actually one of the first recipes my now 16 year old son learned to make. He was 9 or 10 when I first taught him how to make this recipe. And don't worry, I cooked the chicken for him. But he made the sauce!
And all these years later he still loves it. I've always found that kids enjoy making food they eat. Let them take ownership and they become so proud. I love it.
Hawaiian Haystack Ingredients
- Chicken
- Garlic
- Chicken Broth
- Cream Cheese
- Cream of Chicken Soup
- Cheese
- Green Onion
- Tomato
- Pineapple Tidbits
- Celery
- Green Bell Pepper
- Almond Slivers
- Olives
- Rice
Instant Pot Hawaiian Haystacks
Remember how I said this is a "Set it and Forget it" type recipe? Well, it won't disappoint. Place chicken breasts in Instant Pot and Salt and Pepper. Go ahead an add a little crushed garlic too. Then add 1 cup of water and set your Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker to cook the Chicken Breasts.
Fun Fact: You can place your chicken breasts on a trivet or place directly in the liquid. It's personal preference.
Allow a Natural Pressure Release and then remove cooked chicken breasts and with a fork, shred chicken into small pieces. It will really fall apart easily. You can even put the chicken in a medium size bowl and use a hand mixer to shred. It works like magic!
Making the Sauce
From here you get a choice! You can 1) Strain the liquid in the Instant Pot removing any pieces you don't care for and use these juices as the Chicken Broth needed for the Sauce. OR 2) Discard the juices, rinse and clean the Pressure Cooker liner and add Chicken Broth. You decide!
Turn the Instant Pot on Saute and add 1 can of Cream of Chicken Soup along with Cream Cheese and the chicken broth of choice and mix with a whisk. Keep whisking until smooth.
As the sauce begins to bubble and simmer continue stirring until combined and then turn Instant Pot off.
Dice your chosen toppings: Green Onions, Celery, Bell Pepper, Olives, and/or Tomatoes and place into small bowls. Make sure to add Pineapple, Cheese, Almonds, Coconut, and whatever else you want.
Hawaiian Haystacks is best served over Rice. To build a beautiful Haystack we like to start with Rice on the bottom followed by shredded chicken and then the gravy sauce.
Here is our FAVORITE Instant Pot White Rice Recipe or Instant Pot Brown Rice Recipe. Both are wonderful.
Top with Toppings of your choice. And enjoy!
Okay, my mouth is watering just telling you how to make them! This is a great recipe that has been tested many many times over the years. In fact, I've made HUGE batches to serve to a crowd all with rave reviews.
This is a PERFECT recipe for Family Reunions or gatherings too. It's fun to assign others to bring toppings too. Seriously, you never know what you will end up with but it's always perfect.
Stove Top Hawaiian Haystacks
It's also very easy to make Hawaiian Haystacks on the Stove. Chicken can be boiled in water in a saucepan. It's best to place a lid on top to allow chicken to cook. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer with a lid on top.
Cook Chicken until heated through. This will take 10-15 minutes for 3 breasts (thawed) or about 30 minutes for 6 Breasts (thawed). Use a digital thermometer to check temperature. Chicken should reach 165 degrees and no longer pink inside.
Shred chicken using forks or place in a bowl and use a Hand Mixer to shred. Works perfectly.
Hawaiian Haystacks Sauce
In a saucepan over medium heat, add Cream Cheese, Cream of Chicken Soup and Chicken Broth. Pepper to taste. Whisk until smooth. Once sauce begins to simmer turn heat off.
Dice veggies and cook rice for the ultimate Haystack, but don't forget the Pineapple and coconut to give the true Hawaiian flare.
Hawaiian Haystacks are a family favorite for many reasons but mostly because everyone wins with a dinner they choose.
If you have picky eaters like I do, then you can understand how important it is to have a meal that everyone loves. Try a Haystack and make memories!
More Instant Pot recipes using Shredded Chicken!
- Chicken Stuffed Croissants
- Baked Chicken Parmesan Croissants
- Best Pulled Chicken Sandwich
- Chicken Taquitos
Hawaiian Haystacks
Ingredients
Hawaiian Haystacks
- 2 lbs Chicken Breasts
- 1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup - 10.5 oz
- 1 ½ Cup Chicken Broth
- 4 oz Cream Cheese
- Salt - to taste
- Pepper - to taste
Toppings
- 1-2 Tomatoes - Chopped
- 2-3 stalks Celery - Diced
- 1 bunch Green Onions - Diced
- ½ cup Slivered Almonds
- ½ cup Coconut
- 1 can Pineapple - Tidbits
- 1 cup Cheese - grated
- 3 cup Chinese Noodles
Instructions
Instant Pot
- Place 1 Cup Water in bottom of Instant Pot
- Place Chicken Breasts in Instant Pot on Trivet. Sprinkle Salt, Pepper and Crushed Garlic on Chicken Breasts.
- Close Instant Pot Lid and check to make sure pressure valve is closed. Set on Manual (Presser Cook) High for 18 minutes. Allow a 20 minute Natural Pressure Release (NPR)
- Remove Chicken Breasts and Shred with Fork or Place in a Medium size bowl and using a hand mixer shred chicken
Hawaiian Haystacks Sauce
- Strain juices from cooking chicken to use as Broth OR Discard juices, clean liner and add 1 ½ Cups Chicken Broth to liner
- Set Instant Pot to Saute
- Add 4oz Cream Cheese and 1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup
- Whisk ingredients until smooth and simmering
- Turn off heat
Toppings
- Dice Green Onions, Celery, Tomato, Bell Pepper, Olives etc and place in small bowls
- Add additional toppings of Coconut, Almonds, Pineapple, Cheese and Chinese Noodles etc in small bowls
- Serve over Rice
- To Build Hawaiian Haystack start with rice and add shredded chicken on top. Pour ½ cup sauce on chicken and rice. Top with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Stove Top Directions
- In a medium Saucepan place 2-3 chicken breasts and 3-4 cups water over medium/high heat. Bring to a boil.
- Cover with lid and turn down to a simmer for 10-15 minutes. Internal Temperature of chicken should reach 165 degrees.
- Remove and drain liquid. Use forks to shred chicken or place chicken breasts in bowl and use a hand mixer to shred.
Stove Top Sauce Directions
- Add Cream Cheese, Cream of Chicken Soup and Chicken Both to Sauce Pan over Medium Heat.
- Whisk to combine and continually stir and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low until ready to serve stirring occasionally.
Toppings
- Dice vegetable toppings (green onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, olives etc and place in small bowls
- Add additional toppings of Coconut, Almonds, Pineapple, Cheese and Chinese Noodles etc in small bowls
- Serve over Rice
Notes
Nutrition Disclaimer
All nutrition values are approximate and calculated by a plugin and are provided as a courtesy. Adding or subtracting ingredients will change the nutritional value.
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