Hamonado Chicken (pineapple chicken), Philippines

Chicken Hamonado is a traditional Filipino sweet and savory dish, typical of the archipelago's cuisine. With pieces of chicken simmered in a pineapple-based sauce, this dish delights with its exotic flavor. Naturally gluten-free when using the appropriate soy sauce, it remains true to its origins while being perfect for those with gluten intolerance. Quick and easy to prepare, this recipe from afar is ideal for a family meal.

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time 45 minutes

Total time 55 minutes

Difficulty: Beginner

Servings: 4

Ingredients

4 chicken thighs or 4 chicken breasts, cut into pieces for a lighter version.
250g of fresh pineapple (or canned pineapple without added sugar)
200 ml of 100% natural pineapple juice (I blended some of my fresh pineapple)
3 tbsp gluten-free or tamari soy sauce
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 cloves of garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons of coconut sugar or brown sugar
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 Tbsp of vegetable oil
Salt and pepper to taste
White or brown rice (optional, to accompany)

Preparation

1
Step 1: Preparing the chicken
In a frying pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Fry the chicken pieces until they are golden brown on all sides. Remove and set aside.
2
Step 2: Preparing the sauce
- In the same pan, sauté the onion and garlic until translucent and fragrant.
- Add the pineapple juice, gluten-free soy sauce, sugar, and rice vinegar to the pan. Mix well to combine the flavors.
3
Step 3: Simmering
Return the chicken pieces to the pan. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. If necessary, add a little water to prevent the sauce from reducing too much.
4
Step 4: Adding the pineapple and finishing
- Add the pineapple pieces to the pan and cook for another 10 minutes over low heat so that they absorb the sauce without losing their texture.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat once the chicken is tender and well coated in sauce.
- Serve the Hamonado Chicken hot, accompanied by white or brown rice to balance the sweet and savory flavors. Garnish with a few slices of fresh pineapple for a tropical touch.

Keywords: Hamonado chicken, pineapple chicken, gluten-free recipe, Filipino recipe, recipe with pineapple