Description
Pineapple Chicken and Rice is a delightful blend of sweet and savory flavors, combining tender chicken breast sautéed to perfection with a tangy pineapple-infused sauce, colorful vegetables, and fluffy cooked rice. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for quick weeknight dinners and can be customized with various protein and vegetable options to suit your taste.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken
- 1 lb Chicken Breast, cut into pieces (can substitute with chicken thighs)
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil or Sesame Oil
For the Sauce
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced (or 1 tsp garlic powder)
- 1/2 cup Soy Sauce (low sodium recommended)
- 1/3 cup Pineapple Juice (from canned pineapple)
- 2 tbsp Honey or Brown Sugar (maple syrup as substitute)
- 1 tbsp Rice Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar (white vinegar as substitute)
- 1 tsp Cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp Water
For the Main Dish
- 1.5 cups Cooked Rice (white, brown, or jasmine)
- 1 cup Pineapple Chunks (fresh or drained canned)
- 1/2 Red Bell Pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup Green Onions, chopped (or chives)
Optional Toppings
- Sesame Seeds
- Crushed Red Pepper
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, approximately 6-8 minutes. Once done, transfer the chicken onto a plate and set aside.
- 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 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 cooked chicken to the pan, then add pineapple chunks and diced red bell pepper, stirring to coat everything evenly with the sauce.
- Add the Rice: Gently fold in the cooked rice, warming it through and ensuring all ingredients are well combined. This step should take about 2 minutes.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the pan from heat. Garnish the dish with chopped green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Serve the Pineapple Chicken and Rice hot. Optionally, add crushed red pepper for an extra kick.
Notes
- For a juicier texture, substitute chicken breast with chicken thighs.
- Use low sodium soy sauce to reduce salt intake.
- If fresh garlic is unavailable, garlic powder is a suitable alternative.
- Add sriracha or red pepper flakes to the sauce for added heat.
- Swap rice with cauliflower rice for a low-carb version.
- Add extra vegetables like broccoli or carrots to increase nutrition.
- Try mango or peaches instead of pineapple for a different tropical twist.
- Top with chopped cashews or slivered almonds for crunchy texture.
- Garnish with cilantro or basil instead of green onions for fresh herbal notes.
- This dish can be prepared ahead; store chicken and sauce separately from rice for refrigeration up to 24 hours.
- Reheat gently on stovetop before combining rice for serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Keywords: pineapple chicken, chicken and rice, sweet and savory chicken, easy chicken dinner, tropical chicken recipe
