Description
Succulent tropical pineapple chicken dances with Caribbean flavors, blending tangy fruit and tender meat in one irresistible dish. Saucy rice and juicy chicken promise a delightful escape you won’t forget.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Fresh Produce:
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Fresh cilantro or parsley, for garnish
Sauce and Seasonings:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional for thickening)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Cooking Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)
Accompaniment:
- 1 1/2 cups cooked rice
Instructions
- Create a vibrant marinade by whisking together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and optional red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper, then submerge chicken breasts, allowing them to absorb flavors for 20 minutes to 2 hours in the refrigerator.
- Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Extract chicken from marinade, reserving liquid for later use. Sear chicken until golden and fully cooked, approximately 6-7 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and let rest.
- Utilize the same skillet to sauté diced onions and bell peppers until they soften and become translucent. Introduce minced garlic and pineapple chunks, continuing to cook for an additional 2 minutes to develop deep flavor profiles.
- Pour the reserved marinade into the skillet, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. For a more luxurious sauce consistency, create a cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch with water, then incorporate into the pan, stirring until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
- Slice the cooked chicken into elegant strips and reintroduce to the skillet. Fold in prepared rice, ensuring each grain is generously coated with the tropical sauce. Warm thoroughly for 2-3 minutes to meld flavors and temperatures.
- Present the dish garnished with fresh cilantro or parsley, offering a bright, herbaceous finish to this sweet and savory tropical creation.
Notes
- Marinate chicken longer for deeper flavor infusion, allowing seasonings to penetrate meat thoroughly.
- Use fresh pineapple for brighter, more vibrant taste compared to canned alternatives.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control spice level, making dish mild or fiery based on preference.
- Swap chicken with tofu or tempeh for vegetarian version, maintaining similar cooking technique and marinade.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 75 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg