Sizzling Pineapple Chicken & Rice Recipe: Sweet-Tangy Dinner Joy

Every weekend, my pineapple chicken & rice recipe brings pure tropical magic to our dinner table.

Memories of sweet island flavors dance through this simple yet vibrant dish.

Comfort and excitement merge when juicy pineapc chunks mingle with tender chicken pieces.

Fragrant rice captures the essence of a culinary adventure waiting to unfold.

Layers of tangy and savory notes create a symphony that awakens your taste buds.

Each bite promises a delightful escape from ordinary meal routines.

Let’s embark on this delicious journey and transform your kitchen into a Hawaiian-inspired paradise.

Pineapple Chicken And Rice That’s Sweet And Savory

• Savor Quick Weeknight Meals: This pineapple chicken and rice recipe delivers a delicious dinner in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy families craving a flavorful yet effortless meal.
• Versatile One-Skillet Wonder: Using a single skillet reduces cleanup time, making this dish ideal for minimizing kitchen mess and streamlining meal preparation with minimal dishes to wash.
• Family-Friendly Flavor Fusion: The sweet and savory combination of pineapple, chicken, and Asian-inspired seasonings appeals to both kids and adults, ensuring a crowd-pleasing dinner that satisfies diverse taste preferences.
• Customizable Comfort Food: Home cooks can easily modify the recipe by adding vegetables like bell peppers or swapping chicken for tofu, making it adaptable to different dietary needs and ingredient availability.

What Pairs in Pineapple Chicken Rice Bowl

• Chicken: Lean protein that provides the main substance of the dish, choose boneless and skinless for easier preparation.
• Chicken Broth: Adds depth of flavor and helps cook the rice, low-sodium version recommended for better control of salt content.

• Onion: Provides sweet and savory base flavor, white or yellow varieties work best.
• Green Onions: Fresh garnish that adds mild onion flavor and bright color.
• Garlic Powder: Convenient seasoning that delivers consistent garlic taste.
• Ginger: Adds warm, slightly spicy notes to enhance overall dish complexity.

• Olive Oil: Cooking fat for sautéing chicken and creating base for dish.
• Rice: Serves as the filling and starchy component of the meal, long-grain white rice preferred.
• Pineapple Chunks: Sweet and tangy fruit that provides tropical flavor and moisture.
• Soy Sauce: Adds umami and saltiness, low-sodium version recommended.
• Honey: Brings natural sweetness and helps create glazed texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall seasoning, use sparingly.
• Pepper: Provides mild heat and additional seasoning.
• Sesame Seeds: Optional garnish that adds nutty flavor and visual appeal.

Pineapple Chicken & Rice Preparation

Step 1: Sizzle and Brown Chicken

Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat.

Toss in diced chicken and cook until golden brown and fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes.

Transfer the chicken to a waiting plate.

Step 2: Soften Aromatic Onions

In the same skillet, drop diced onions and sauté until they become translucent and tender, approximately 3-4 minutes.

Step 3: Build Flavor-Packed Base

• Rice
• Chicken broth
• Pineapple chunks
• Soy sauce
• Honey
• Garlic powder
• Ground ginger
• Salt
• Black pepper

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then lower the heat to a gentle simmer.

Step 4: Slow Cook the Rice

Cover the skillet and let it simmer quietly for 15-18 minutes.

The rice will absorb the liquid and become perfectly tender.

Step 5: Reunite Chicken with Rice

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, stirring to blend all flavors.

Warm everything together for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Optional garnish with chopped green onions and sprinkle of sesame seeds.

Serve immediately while piping hot.

Chicken & Pineapple Tips With Rice Pairing

• Marinate chicken in pineapple juice for 30 minutes before cooking to tenderize and add extra tropical taste.
• Rinse rice thoroughly before cooking to remove excess starch and prevent clumping for fluffy, separate grains.
• Adjust honey quantity based on preference – less for a savory dish, more for a sweeter profile.
• Replace chicken with tofu, shrimp, or plant-based alternatives for dietary variety and flexibility.
• Use a non-stick skillet to minimize cleanup and ensure easy food release during cooking.

Pineapple Chicken That Comes Back With a Tropical Kick

• Store leftover pineapple chicken and rice in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, the dish will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled portions to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Freeze for up to 2 months, ensuring minimal air exposure to prevent freezer burn.
• Place a single serving in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent drying, and heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes. Stir halfway through for even warming.
• Warm the leftovers in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture. Stir gently and heat for 4-5 minutes until thoroughly warmed.

Sweet Notes With Pineapple Chicken

• Pair with Tropical White Wine: Select a crisp, slightly sweet Riesling or Gewürztraminer that complements the pineapple's bright flavors and balances the savory chicken.
• Enhance with Refreshing Citrus Mocktail: Create a zesty non-alcoholic drink using fresh pineapple juice, sparkling water, lime wedges, and a touch of ginger to mirror the dish's tropical and spicy notes.
• Match with Coconut Rice Side: Prepare a creamy coconut rice as an additional side dish that echoes the sweet and tropical elements of the main recipe, providing a rich and harmonious accompaniment.
• Serve with Asian-Inspired Slaw: Craft a light, tangy coleslaw with julienned vegetables, rice vinegar, and a hint of sesame oil to add crunch and acidity that cuts through the dish's richness.

Pineapple Chicken & Rice Options

• Low-Carb Cauliflower Base: Replace rice with riced cauliflower for a keto-friendly version, maintaining all original seasonings and chicken preparation.
• Vegetarian Tofu Option: Swap chicken with firm tofu cubes, pressing and marinating tofu in soy sauce and garlic before pan-frying for protein-rich alternative.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use tamari instead of regular soy sauce and confirm all ingredients are certified gluten-free, ensuring safe consumption for sensitive individuals.
• Tropical Mango Variation: Substitute pineapple chunks with fresh mango pieces for a different sweet-savory profile while keeping the core cooking method unchanged.

FAQs

• Can I use white or brown rice for this recipe?

You can use either white or brown rice. Just adjust cooking time for brown rice, which typically takes longer to cook and may require additional liquid.

• How can I make this dish spicier?

Add red pepper flakes, sriracha sauce, or diced jalapeños during cooking to increase the heat level according to your preference.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

To make it gluten-free, use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.

• Can I substitute chicken with another protein?

Yes, you can easily swap chicken with tofu, shrimp, or pork while keeping the same cooking method and seasonings.

Pineapple Chicken & Rice Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Tropical paradise meets comfort food in this delightful Pineapple Chicken & Rice dish, blending sweet and savory flavors from Caribbean-inspired cuisine. Juicy chicken nestled with caramelized pineapple chunks over fluffy rice promises a satisfying meal that transports taste buds to sunny shores.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

Grain and Liquid Base:

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 cups chicken broth

Flavor Enhancers and Seasonings:

• 1 cup fresh or canned pineapple chunks, drained (reserve juice)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Warm a spacious skillet over medium temperature, drizzling olive oil across the surface for an even coating.
2. Sear the chicken pieces until they develop a golden-brown exterior and reach complete internal doneness, approximately 6-7 minutes. Transfer the protein to a separate plate.
3. Introduce diced onions to the identical skillet, gently caramelizing them until translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Layer rice, chicken broth, vibrant pineapple chunks, umami-rich soy sauce, sweet honey, aromatic garlic powder, zesty ginger, and seasoning into the skillet.
5. Elevate the mixture to a rolling boil, then immediately reduce heat to a gentle simmer, covering the skillet to trap moisture and steam.
6. Allow the rice to absorb liquid and become tender, approximately 15-16 minutes, monitoring to prevent burning.
7. Reintegrate the previously cooked chicken into the rice mixture, thoroughly combining all components and warming through for an additional 2-3 minutes.
8. Enhance the visual appeal and flavor profile by sprinkling chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds across the surface.
9. Serve immediately while the dish remains piping hot, ensuring maximum taste and textural enjoyment.

Notes

• Boost protein by using chunks of firm tofu for a vegetarian version that keeps the same delicious flavor profile.
• Choose fresh pineapple over canned for brighter, more vibrant taste and reduced sugar content.
• Consider using brown rice instead of white for added fiber and nutritional benefits, which might require slightly longer cooking time.
• Dial down the sodium by selecting low-sodium soy sauce and reducing added salt to create a heart-healthier meal.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 335
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 500mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 22g
• Cholesterol: 60mg