1-First Step: Mise en place and prep Gather all ingredients and measure the sauce components so everything is ready when you need it. Dice 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts into roughly 1-inch pieces so they sear evenly. Dice 2 cups bell peppers and 1 whole pineapple. Cook 3 cups white rice ahead of time or while you cook the chicken. Season the chicken lightly with salt and black pepper.

2-Second Step: Sear the chicken Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned, diced chicken pieces in a single layer so they have space to brown. Sear until a golden crust forms, about 3-5 minutes depending on piece size. You want color for flavor; the chicken does not need to be fully cooked through at this point. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.

3-Third Step: Cook the vegetables Add the diced bell peppers to the hot pan and sauté for 3-5 minutes until they are just tender but still bright. Removing them after they soften keeps them from overcooking during the sauce reduction. Set aside with the chicken.

4-Fourth Step: Build the sauce Lower the heat to medium. Into the same pan, add all sauce ingredients: 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, and 1/2 cup pineapple juice. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Scrape any browned bits from the pan bottom into the sauce to deepen the flavor.

5-Fifth Step: Return chicken and reduce Return the seared chicken to the pan and reduce heat to medium-low. Let the sauce simmer while the chicken cooks through and absorbs the flavors, about 6-8 minutes. Stir occasionally to coat chicken in sauce and prevent sticking. As the sauce reduces, it will thicken and become glossy.

6-Sixth Step: Add peppers and pineapple Stir the sautéed bell peppers and diced fresh pineapple into the pan. Cook a few more minutes until the sauce is thick, sticky, and glossy and the peppers are tender. Taste and adjust seasoning with a pinch of salt or more black pepper if desired.

7-Final Step: Serve and finish Serve the Hawaiian Chicken over 3 cups cooked white rice, portioned across plates or bowls. Garnish with optional sliced green onions or sesame seeds for a fresh look. If you like extra sauce, spoon some over the rice. Total time: prep 10 minutes, cook 20 minutes, total 30 minutes.