Description
Pineapple Chicken and Rice delivers a tropical twist that brings sunshine right to your dinner table. Tender chicken pieces swim in a tangy sauce alongside sweet pineapple chunks, creating a simple meal that makes weeknight cooking feel like a mini vacation.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 400 g / 14 oz)
Starches and Liquids:
- 1 cup long-grain rice (white or jasmine)
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, drained)
- ½ cup pineapple juice
Seasonings and Condiments:
- 4 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ginger powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnishes:
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Whisk 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon ginger powder, and ½ teaspoon black pepper together in a medium bowl to create your marinade.
- Drop 400g diced chicken into the marinade, ensuring each piece gets thoroughly coated. Allow the chicken to absorb flavors for 15-60 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Warm 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat at 375°F. Carefully place marinated chicken pieces into the hot pan.
- Sauté chicken for 5-7 minutes, rotating occasionally to achieve an even golden-brown exterior. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F before removing from the skillet.
- Without cleaning the skillet, add rice and toast for 1-2 minutes, stirring continuously to prevent burning.
- Pour 1 ½ cups chicken broth, ½ cup pineapple juice, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon honey, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon ginger powder, and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes into the skillet.
- Bring liquid mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for exactly 15 minutes until rice absorbs all liquid.
- Gently fold 1 cup pineapple chunks and cooked chicken into the rice. Warm together for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer to serving plates and garnish with 2 chopped green onions and 1 tablespoon sesame seeds.
Notes
- Give the chicken plenty of time to marinate for the best flavor absorption and tenderness.
- Choose fresh, ripe pineapple for the most vibrant taste and natural sweetness in the dish.
- Toast the rice before adding liquids to enhance its nutty flavor and prevent clumping.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-27 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 523 kcal
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 1034 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 69 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 89 mg