Pineapple Chicken and Rice: Sweet, Savory, Effortlessly Easy Recipe
This Pineapple Chicken and Rice recipe offers a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors wrapped into a simple and quick skillet meal. Tender chicken breast is sautéed and coated in a glossy pineapple-soy glaze combined with fresh vegetables and served over warm, fluffy rice for an effortless tropical dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken
- 1 lb Chicken Breast (substitute with chicken thighs for a juicier option)
- 2 tbsp Olive or Sesame Oil (for sautéing)
For the Sauce
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced (or garlic powder if fresh is unavailable)
- 1/2 cup Soy Sauce (low sodium preferred)
- 1/3 cup Pineapple Juice (use juice from canned pineapple for convenience)
- 2 tbsp Honey or Brown Sugar (maple syrup as substitute)
- 1 tbsp Rice Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar (white vinegar in a pinch)
- 1 tsp Cornstarch (mixed with 1 tbsp water to avoid lumps)
- 1 tbsp Water
For the Main Dish
- 1.5 cups Cooked Rice (white, brown, or jasmine rice)
- 1 cup Pineapple Chunks (fresh or drained canned)
- 1/2 whole Red Bell Pepper, diced (or other bell peppers or snap peas)
- 1/4 cup Green Onions, chopped (chives as substitute)
Optional Toppings
- Sesame seeds (for serving)
- Crushed red pepper (optional for extra spice)
Instructions
- Sauté the Chicken: Heat olive or sesame oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add chicken breast pieces and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside on a plate.
- Prepare the Sauce: In the same pan, add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in soy sauce, pineapple juice, honey, and vinegar. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Thicken and Combine: Stir in the cornstarch mixed with water to thicken the sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce becomes glossy. Return the sautéed chicken to the pan, then add pineapple chunks and diced red bell pepper. Stir to coat everything evenly in the sauce.
- Add the Rice: Gently fold in the cooked rice, stirring until it is warmed through and fully combined with the chicken mixture, about 2 minutes.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with chopped green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Serve hot, optionally adding crushed red pepper for extra heat, and enjoy the tropical burst of flavors!
Notes
- Substitute chicken thighs for juicier chicken if preferred.
- Use low sodium soy sauce to reduce salt content.
- For a vegetarian version, replace chicken with tofu and use vegetarian-friendly soy sauce.
- Can adjust sweetness by using maple syrup or adjusting honey/brown sugar quantities.
- Use fresh or canned pineapple chunks according to convenience.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
- Optional crushed red pepper adds a nice spicy kick.
Keywords: pineapple chicken, chicken and rice, sweet and savory chicken, quick dinner, tropical chicken recipe, one pan chicken rice
