Tropical Paradise: Juicy Pineapple Chicken and Rice Recipe

Sizzling aromas waft through the kitchen as this mouthwatering pineapple chicken and rice recipe promises a delightful culinary adventure.

Sweet and tangy pineapple chunks dance with tender chicken, creating a perfect harmony of flavors.

The golden rice absorbs every delicious drop of tropical goodness, turning an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Each bite delivers a burst of zesty excitement that will transport you to a sunny paradise.

Weeknight dinners just got a serious upgrade with this simple yet spectacular dish.

Home cooks will love how quickly this meal comes together without sacrificing an ounce of flavor.

Grab your skillet and get ready to impress everyone at the dinner table with this irresistible tropical treasure.

Serve Pineapple Chicken Over Fluffy Rice

• Tropical Dinner Party Delight: Invite friends over and serve this vibrant dish as a centerpiece for a Hawaiian-inspired gathering. The colorful bell peppers and sweet pineapple will spark conversation and create a festive mood.
• Lunchbox Transformation: Pack leftovers in a sealed container for a delicious next-day meal. The flavors will intensify overnight, making your midday lunch an exciting culinary experience that colleagues will envy.
• Garnish Extravaganza: Elevate the presentation by adding extra toppings like crispy fried shallots, a sprinkle of crushed macadamia nuts, or a zesty lime wedge. These simple additions will turn the dish from good to gourmet and add exciting texture and brightness.
• Family-Style Feast: Serve directly from the skillet for a communal dining experience. Place the skillet in the center of the table, allowing everyone to scoop their own portion and enjoy the warm, fragrant chicken and rice together.

Storing Chicken and Rice for Meals Ahead

• Batch Cooking Magic: Prepare double the recipe and divide into individual containers for quick, delicious lunches throughout the week. These meal-prep portions stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Cool the chicken and rice completely before transferring to airtight freezer containers. Sealed portions maintain excellent quality for up to 2 months, offering a convenient backup dinner option.
• Reheating Revival Technique: When warming refrigerated or frozen portions, add a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent dryness. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly.
• Smart Ingredient Swap: Replace fresh pineapple with canned chunks during busy weeks. Drain and rinse canned pineapple to control sugar content and maintain the dish's vibrant tropical flavor profile.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 5

Pineapple Chicken and Rice Ingredient List

• Chicken Breast: Lean protein that creates a tender, juicy foundation for the dish, choose fresh, boneless cuts for best texture.
• Pineapple: Adds tropical sweetness and tangy brightness, select ripe pineapple with golden-yellow color and fragrant aroma.

• Onion, Garlic, Red Bell Pepper: Create a robust flavor base with layers of savory and slightly sweet notes, choose firm vegetables with vibrant colors.
• Ginger: Brings warm, zesty undertones that complement the chicken and pineapple, use fresh ginger root for most intense flavor.
• Soy Sauce: Adds umami depth and salty complexity, opt for low-sodium version if watching salt intake.

• Jasmine Rice: Provides delicate, fragrant foundation for the dish, rinse before cooking to remove excess starch.
• Chicken Broth: Infuses rice with rich, savory flavor and ensures moist cooking.
• Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Offer fresh, crunchy finishing touch with nutty and mild onion notes.
• Olive Oil: Helps sauté ingredients and prevent sticking, use extra virgin for best flavor.
• Salt and Pepper: Fundamental seasonings that balance and enhance overall dish profile.

Tools That Help Prep Pineapple Chicken and Rice

• Large Skillet: Essential for cooking chicken, sautéing vegetables, and preparing the entire one-pan meal.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping chicken, onions, garlic, bell peppers, and green onions.
• Sharp Knife: Perfect for precise cutting of ingredients into even cubes and pieces.
• Measuring Cups: Help accurately measure rice, broth, and other liquid ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients while cooking.
• Lid: Covers skillet during rice simmering to ensure proper cooking and moisture retention.

Cooking Pineapple Chicken and Rice Easily

• Skillet Sizzle Preparation

Start with a roomy skillet and warm some olive oil. Drop in chicken pieces and cook until they turn a gorgeous golden brown, ensuring each cube is perfectly done. Set these delicious morsels aside for later.

• Vegetable Symphony

In the same pan, create a flavor base by softening onions, garlic, and colorful bell peppers. Let them dance and release their aromatic essence.

• Pineapple Magic

Introduce sweet pineapple chunks to the vegetable medley. Let them mingle and caramelize for a couple of minutes, creating a tropical fragrance.

• Rice Infusion

Add jasmine rice, chicken broth, soy sauce, ginger, salt, and pepper. Allow everything to come to a gentle boil, blending all the vibrant flavors together.

• Simmering Transformation

Reduce heat, cover the skillet, and let the mixture simmer quietly. The rice will absorb the liquid and become tender in about 18-20 minutes.

• Final Harmony

Return the golden chicken to the skillet, gently mixing to reunite all ingredients. Warm everything through, creating a cohesive dish.

• Garnish Finale

Sprinkle fresh green onions and toasted sesame seeds on top, adding a final burst of color and texture.

Tips to Balance Sweet Pineapple and Savory Chicken

• Elevate Your Pineapple Chicken Game
• Choose ripe, golden pineapples for maximum sweetness and vibrant flavor that will make your dish pop with tropical goodness.
• Swap chicken with shrimp, tofu, or beef to create exciting new versions that keep the meal fresh and interesting for your taste buds.
• Add a splash of sriracha or red pepper flakes for a zesty kick that transforms the dish from mild to wild in seconds.
• Toss in extra vegetables like snap peas, carrots, or edamame to boost nutrition and add delightful texture and color to your one-pan wonder.
• Store this dish in an airtight container for up to 3 days, and the flavors will continue to meld and intensify, making your next meal even more delicious.

Savory Pineapple Chicken and Rice Recipe

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4.9 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Spicy pineapple chicken and rice blend tropical Hawaiian flavors with succulent protein and fragrant jasmine rice. Zesty marinade and caramelized pineapple chunks create a balanced meal that satisfies your craving for island-inspired cuisine.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (454 g) chicken breast, cut into cubes
• 1 cup (240 ml) pineapple, cut into cubes
• 2 cups (480 ml) chicken broth
• 1 cup (240 ml) jasmine rice
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup (60 ml) green onions, sliced
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) soy sauce
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) sesame seeds
• 1 tsp (5 ml) ginger, grated
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Sear Protein: Heat skillet over medium flame, coat with olive oil, and cook chicken pieces until golden-brown and fully cooked, about 6-7 minutes. Remove chicken, keeping warm.
2. Aromatics Preparation: In same skillet, sauté onions, garlic, and bell peppers until softened and translucent. Add pineapple chunks, allowing natural sugars to caramelize for 2-3 minutes.
3. Rice Integration: Introduce jasmine rice, chicken broth, soy sauce, ginger, salt, and pepper, stirring to combine ingredients thoroughly. Elevate heat momentarily to trigger boiling.
4. Simmer and Infuse: Reduce heat to lowest setting, cover skillet with lid, and allow rice to absorb liquid and become tender, approximately 15-18 minutes. Gently fluff rice with fork to assess doneness.
5. Final Assembly: Fold reserved chicken back into rice mixture, ensuring even heat distribution. Garnish with freshly chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds for enhanced flavor profile and visual texture.

Notes

• Chicken Cooking Tip: Brown chicken completely to lock in moisture and develop deep, rich flavor profiles without overcooking.
• Rice Liquid Ratio: Maintain precise liquid measurements to ensure perfectly fluffy jasmine rice without becoming soggy or dry.
• Caramelization Secret: Allow pineapple chunks to slightly caramelize for enhanced sweetness and depth of flavor in the overall dish.
• Garnish Enhancement: Toasted sesame seeds and fresh green onions add critical textural contrast and bright, fresh finishing notes to the complete meal.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Hawaiian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg