Name: Hawaiian Haystacks
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 5 Tbsp Butter; 1 Medium Onion; 1/2 Cup All Purpose Flour; 3/4 tsp Salt; 1/4 tsp Pepper; 3 Cups Chicken Broth*; 3/4 Cup Milk (Dairy or Non-Dairy ); 2 12.5 Oz Cans Chicken; 3 Cups Water; 1 1/2 Cups Rice

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5 from 1 vote

If you’re looking for a fun, customizable, and family-friendly dinner, Hawaiian haystacks are the perfect solution. This easy comfort food classic starts with fluffy rice, topped with rich and savory chicken gravy, and finished with a variety of sweet and crunchy toppings. The best part? No two haystacks are ever the same, which makes this meal both delicious and unique every single time.

This Hawaiian haystacks recipe with homemade gravy is one of those meals that brings everyone to the table. Whether you’re feeding picky eaters or a hungry crowd, it’s a simple dinner idea that everyone can personalize to their liking.

A Family Favorite with a Homemade Twist

Growing up, we always made Hawaiian haystacks using cream of chicken soup as the base for the gravy. It was quick, easy, and comforting—everything you want in a weeknight meal. After I got married, I continued making it the same way because it’s what I knew and loved.

But one evening, I was planning to make Hawaiian haystacks for dinner and realized I didn’t have any cream of chicken soup on hand. Instead of running to the store (that was 20mins away) I decided to look for a quick alternative. As I searched for ideas, inspiration struck.

I remembered the creamy, flavorful gravy I use in my chicken pot pie recipe. It’s made from simple ingredients like butter, onion, flour, chicken broth, and milk. I realized I could use that same homemade gravy as the base for my Hawaiian haystacks—just without the vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and celery.

That small change completely transformed the dish.

Why Homemade Gravy Makes Hawaiian Haystacks Better

Once I started making Hawaiian haystacks with homemade chicken gravy, I couldn’t go back to the canned version. The flavor is richer, the texture is smoother, and you know exactly what’s going into your meal.

Homemade gravy might sound intimidating, but it’s actually very simple to make. By cooking onions in butter, then adding flour to create a roux, you build a deep, savory base. Slowly whisking in chicken broth and milk creates a creamy, flavorful sauce that pairs perfectly with rice and chicken.

Not only does it taste better, but it also gives this dish a more wholesome, from-scratch feel—something that really resonates with home cooking.

A Quick and Easy 30-Minute Dinner

One of the best things about this easy Hawaiian haystacks recipe is how quickly it comes together. From start to finish, you can have dinner ready in about 20 to 30 minutes.

Using pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken makes it even faster. While your rice cooks, you can prepare the homemade gravy and warm the chicken. Then it’s just a matter of setting out your toppings and letting everyone build their own plate.

This makes Hawaiian Haystacks perfect for:

Busy Weeknights
Family Dinners
Potlucks or Gatherings
Meal prep with leftovers

Build Your Perfect Hawaiian Haystack

The magic of Hawaiian haystacks is in the toppings. You can keep it simple or create a fully loaded plate with a mix of sweet, savory, and crunchy ingredients.

Some popular toppings include:

Pineapple tidbits or Mandarin Oranges for a touch of sweetness
Shredded cheese for extra richness
Rice Noodles, or Sliced Almonds for Crunch
Diced tomatoes or green onions
Celery for added texture
Coconut flakes for a tropical twist

Everyone can mix and match to create their perfect combination, which is one of the reasons this dish is such a hit with families.

Why You’ll Love This Hawaiian Haystacks Recipe

This homemade Hawaiian haystacks recipe is everything you want in a comfort meal. It’s warm, filling, and incredibly versatile. The homemade gravy takes it to the next level while still keeping things simple and approachable.

If you’ve only ever made Hawaiian haystacks with canned soup, this is your sign to try it from scratch. It’s just as easy, tastes so much better, and might just become your new go-to dinner recipe.

What you’ll need for this recipe:

Onion
Butter
All Purpose Flour
Chicken Broth: I like to use water and chicken Boullion
Milk: Dairy or Non-Dairy work well
Salt
Pepper
Rice: My favorite is Jasmine rice
Favorite Toppings: Below are some of my families favorites.
Mandarin Oranges
Pineapple Tidbits
Sliced Almonds
Crunchy Rice Noodles
Bell Pepper: Any Color
Green Onion
Diced Tomatoes
Shredded Coconut
Cheddar Cheese

Instructions

In a Medium Sauce Pan Bring 3 cups of water to a boil. Once Water is boiling add in some salt and 1 1/2 cups of rice. Reduce heat to low and Simmer for 15-20 mins. (Or use a Rice cooker)

While rice is cooking, Work on the gravy.
Place butter in a sauté pan and melt. Dice the Onion and add it to the pan with the butter. Cook the Onion for 4-5 mins or until translucent. Add in the the flour and cook for another 1-2 mins.

While using a whisk. Slowly add in the chicken broth and milk. Mix until smooth and no clumps of flour remain.
Add in the pre-cooked chicken to the gravy. mix well, turn heat down to low to keep warm.

Prep the toppings. wash and dice any vegetables. Open and drain any liquid from cans. shred the cheese (If needed)

Once Rice is done cooking. remove from heat and set aside for 5 mins. Fluff with fork.
Take your plate or bowl, and scoop some rice into it. layer gravy on top of the rice. then proceed to top rice and gravy with your favorite toppings. and Enjoy!

5 from 1 vote