Go Back

Macadamia Nut Chicken Kona Grill Recipe

Macadamia Nut Chicken at Kona Grill is a crispy, nut-crusted chicken dish inspired by the popular restaurant, known for its buttery macadamia coating and tropical-style sauce. It blends Hawaiian flavours with American comfort food to create a rich, restaurant-quality meal at home.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 2 People
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 620

Ingredients
  

  • 2 large boneless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup unsalted macadamia nuts
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup coconut milk
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/4 cup pineapple juice
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Equipment

  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Rolling pin or meat mallet
  • Three medium bowls
  • Frying pan
  • Food processor or zip-lock bag for crushing nuts
  • Spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
  1. Flatten the chicken breasts slightly. I like placing them between plastic sheets and tapping gently. Do you do this normally? It helps the chicken cook evenly.
  2. Season both sides with salt, black pepper and garlic powder.
Step 2: Make the Macadamia Crust
  1. Crush the macadamia nuts using a food processor. If you don’t have one, smashing them in a sealed bag works great. Which method do you like better?
  2. Mix the crushed nuts with panko breadcrumbs.
Step 3: Set Up the Dredging Station
  1. Prepare three bowls:
  2. Bowl 1: flour
  3. Bowl 2: beaten eggs
  4. Bowl 3: nut-breadcrumb mixture
  5. Coat each chicken piece in flour, then egg, then the macadamia mixture. Press firmly so it sticks.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken
  1. Heat butter and olive oil in a pan on medium heat. Don’t you love the smell of butter cooking?
  2. Place the chicken in the pan and let it cook for about 6–7 minutes per side until golden brown.
  3. Let the cooked chicken rest for a minute.
Step 5: Make the Sauce
  1. In the same pan, add butter, coconut milk, pineapple juice and honey. Let it simmer until thick and glossy.
  2. Taste it—would you prefer it sweeter or sharper? Adjust honey or pineapple juice accordingly.
Step 6: Serve
  1. Place the chicken on a plate, drizzle the sauce, and sprinkle chopped parsley. What will you pair it with? Rice? Mashed potatoes? Or veggies?
    Macadamia Nut Chicken Kona Grill Recipe

Notes

  • Crush the macadamia nuts finely for a smoother crust, or leave them slightly chunky for extra crunch.
  • Make sure the chicken is pounded to even thickness to help it cook evenly.
  • Press the nut coating firmly onto the chicken so it sticks better during cooking.
  • Cook on medium heat to prevent the nuts from burning before the chicken finishes cooking.