Hawaiian Haystack

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Quick Bite

A Hawaiian haystack is a build-your-own Utah potluck meal with rice, creamy chicken gravy, and toppings like pineapple, chow mein noodles, cheese, olives, coconut, and green onions. It is not very Hawaiian, but it is extremely Utah.

History

Hawaiian haystacks are especially popular in Utah and other parts of the Mormon Corridor, where they became a staple of church dinners, family meals, youth activities, and potlucks. The dish is built for crowds because everyone can customize their own plate.

The base is rice, topped with a creamy chicken gravy or sauce. Then comes the “haystack” part: toppings piled high. Pineapple is usually the reason for the Hawaiian name, though the dish has much more in common with American potluck cooking than with traditional Hawaiian food.

The toppings can include chow mein noodles, mandarin oranges, shredded cheese, celery, green onions, tomatoes, olives, coconut, almonds, peppers, peas, and soy sauce. The more toppings available, the more this starts to feel like a buffet with a rice foundation.

Hawaiian haystacks work because they are flexible, friendly, and low-stress. Kids can build mild versions. Adults can pretend they are making balanced choices. The host can feed a crowd without plating anything. Utah potluck engineering at its finest.

Fun Facts

• Pineapple is usually what gives the dish its “Hawaiian” name.
• Hawaiian haystacks are especially popular in Utah and Latter-day Saint potluck culture.
• The dish is built for customization, which means every plate at the table can look completely different.

Where to Try

Utah ward dinners and family reunions Statewide, Utah
This is the classic setting: rice, chicken gravy, toppings in bowls, and people building towers.

Home kitchens across Utah Statewide, Utah
Hawaiian haystacks are weeknight-friendly and designed for families.

Make it for a group meal Your kitchen
This dish is at its best when served buffet-style, with toppings arranged so everyone can build their own.

About the Game

This recipe is part of Van Life Challenge, a travel-themed board game from Gray Dog Games where players explore the United States, discover regional foods, and collect memorable experiences along the way.

Each featured food celebrates a real place, a local flavor, and the kind of delicious roadside discovery that makes every trip feel like an adventure.

Recipe

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Home-Cook-Friendly Hawaiian Haystacks Serves: 6 Prep: 20 minutes Cook: 15 minutes Difficulty: Easy Style: Utah / Potluck Main Dish

Ingredients

For the base:

• 4 cups cooked white rice
• 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
• 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup, 10.5 ounces
• 1 cup chicken broth
• ½ cup sour cream
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• Salt, to taste

Topping options:

• Pineapple tidbits
• Chow mein noodles
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Sliced black olives
• Chopped green onions
• Diced tomatoes
• Chopped celery
• Mandarin oranges
• Shredded coconut
• Slivered almonds
• Soy sauce

Instructions

1. Cook the rice: Cook the rice and keep warm.
2. Make the gravy base: In a saucepan, combine the cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, sour cream, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt.
3. Add the chicken: Stir in the shredded chicken.
4. Heat through: Simmer gently until hot and creamy.
5. Set up toppings: Arrange toppings in small bowls.
6. Start each plate: Spoon rice onto plates.
7. Add gravy: Ladle chicken gravy over the rice.
8. Build haystacks: Let everyone pile on toppings as desired.

Traditional note: To make it more traditional, use rice, creamy chicken gravy, pineapple, chow mein noodles, cheese, and a spread of toppings. Serve it buffet-style so every person can build their own haystack.

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