Sweet & Zesty Pineapple Chicken and Rice Recipe for Dinner Joy

Tropical breezes whisper through this delightful pineapple chicken and rice recipe that promises a culinary escape.

Sweet and tangy notes dance across your plate with every forkful.

Juicy chicken pieces nestle among fluffy grains, creating a harmony of flavors.

Warm spices mingle with bright fruit, turning an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Bold ingredients tell a story of comfort and adventure on your dinner table.

Simple techniques make this dish accessible to home cooks seeking something special.

Come savor a meal that transports you to sun-drenched islands with just one bite.

Tropical Bliss: Pineapple Chicken and Rice Fiesta

• Craft Quickly: One-pan meal that minimizes kitchen cleanup and reduces dish-washing time, perfect for busy cooks seeking simplicity.
• Savor Tropical Flavors: Combines sweet pineapple with savory chicken, creating a delightful balance of tangy and rich taste profiles that excite the palate.
• Customize with Ease: Adaptable recipe allows adding red pepper flakes for heat or adjusting sauce ingredients to match personal preference, making it versatile for different taste buds.
• Boost Nutrition Smartly: Protein-packed chicken with fresh pineapple provides a nutritious meal that delivers essential vitamins and minerals in one delicious dish.

All You Need for Pineapple Chicken and Rice

• Chicken: A lean protein that provides the main substance of the dish and absorbs the sweet and tangy sauce.

• Rice: A fluffy and neutral grain that serves as the perfect foundation for the flavorful pineapple chicken.

• Pineapple Chunks: A sweet and tropical fruit that adds brightness and acidity to the dish.
• Soy Sauce: A savory condiment that provides depth and umami flavor to the sauce.
• Honey: A natural sweetener that balances the tangy elements and helps create a glossy sauce.
• Rice Vinegar: A mild acidic ingredient that adds a subtle tang and helps tenderize the chicken.
• Garlic: An aromatic that provides a robust and pungent flavor base for the sauce.

• Olive Oil: A cooking fat that helps brown the chicken and prevent sticking.
• Onion: A aromatic vegetable that adds sweetness and depth to the overall flavor profile.
• Red Pepper Flakes: An optional spicy ingredient that can add a subtle heat to the dish.

Simple Steps for Perfect Pineapple Chicken & Rice

Step 1: Sizzle Chicken to Golden Perfection

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken pieces into the hot pan and cook until each side turns a beautiful golden brown.

Once browned, transfer the chicken to a separate plate and set aside.

Step 2: Soften Aromatic Onions

Drop chopped onions into the same skillet and cook until they become translucent and soft, stirring occasionally, which takes about 3-4 minutes.

Step 3: Create Tangy Tropical Sauce

• Pineapple chunks
• Soy sauce
• Honey
• Rice vinegar
• Minced garlic
• Red pepper flakes

Stir everything together and let the sauce simmer and slightly thicken for 3-5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.

Step 4: Reunite Chicken with Sauce

Return the previously cooked chicken back into the skillet.

Gently toss to ensure every piece gets coated with the delicious tropical sauce. Continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes to warm the chicken thoroughly.

Step 5: Plate and Enjoy

Spoon the pineapple chicken over a bed of warm, fluffy rice. Serve immediately and savor the delightful sweet and tangy flavors.

Tips to Capture the Perfect Tropical Flavor

• Choose ripe, sweet pineapple chunks for the most vibrant flavor and natural sweetness in your dish.
• Adjust red pepper flakes to control spiciness, adding more for extra kick or reducing for milder palates.
• Slice chicken into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and maintain juicy, tender texture.
• Allow sauce to simmer and reduce slightly, concentrating flavors and creating a richer, more intense coating for the chicken.
• Prepare extra portions and store in airtight containers for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week, as the flavors develop beautifully when refrigerated.

Creative Variations on Pineapple Chicken and Rice

• Tropical Coconut Fusion: Replace honey with coconut milk and add shredded coconut for a creamy, island-inspired version of the dish.
• Spicy Caribbean Kick: Increase red pepper flakes, include diced jalapeños, and substitute rice vinegar with lime juice for a fiery Caribbean-style meal.
• Teriyaki Hawaiian Blend: Swap soy sauce with teriyaki sauce, add grilled bell peppers, and garnish with green onions for an enhanced sweet-savory profile.
• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Incorporate oregano, thyme, and rosemary, replace honey with balsamic glaze, and top with crumbled feta cheese for a Mediterranean touch.

What Complements Pineapple Chicken & Rice Best

• Tropical Cocktail Companion: Pair this sweet and tangy pineapple chicken with a refreshing Mai Tai, blending rum, orange curaçao, and fresh lime juice to complement the dish's tropical flavor profile.
• Wine Harmony Match: Choose a crisp Riesling with slight sweetness that balances the chicken's savory-sweet sauce, cutting through the richness while enhancing the pineapple's bright notes.
• Citrus Beer Twist: Select a wheat beer or Belgian-style ale with citrusy undertones, which will echo the pineapple's brightness and provide a light, refreshing counterpoint to the chicken's robust flavors.

Storage Made Simple for Pineapple Chicken and Rice

• Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the chicken and rice are cooled completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Pack the pineapple chicken in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label with the date to track freshness.
• Place a portion in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent drying, and cover with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.

FAQs

• Can I use canned pineapple instead of fresh?

Yes, you can use canned pineapple chunks. Just drain them well before adding to the skillet to prevent excess liquid in the sauce.

• Is this dish spicy?

The red pepper flakes are optional. If you want mild flavor, skip them. For more heat, add more flakes or use a spicy variety of red pepper.

• What type of chicken works best?

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs are ideal. Cut them into bite-sized pieces for even cooking and better sauce coating.

• Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce instead of regular soy sauce. Check that all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.

Tropicana Pineapple Chicken And Rice Recipe

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4.9 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Tropical flavors dance in this mouthwatering Pineapple Chicken and Rice dish, blending sweet and savory notes from island-inspired cuisine. Succulent chicken mingles with juicy pineapple chunks, creating a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced

Fruits and Vegetables:

• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1 can (15 ounces or 425 grams) pineapple chunks, drained
• 1 clove garlic, minced

Sauces and Seasonings:

• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Base:

• 2 cups cooked rice

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Instructions

1. Sear chicken in a hot skillet with olive oil until golden brown and crispy edges develop, approximately 4-5 minutes per side. Transfer to a clean plate.
2. Reduce heat to medium and sauté diced onions until translucent and slightly caramelized, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Create a vibrant sauce by combining pineapple chunks, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 4-5 minutes until liquid reduces and thickens slightly.
4. Reintroduce chicken to the skillet, gently coating each piece with the tropical sauce. Allow to heat through for 2-3 minutes, ensuring flavors meld together.
5. Plate the pineapple chicken over fluffy prepared rice, allowing the sauce to cascade over the protein and grains.
6. Garnish with optional fresh chopped cilantro or green onions for added brightness and aromatic complexity.

Notes

• Tenderize chicken by pounding it to an even thickness before cooking for more consistent texture and faster, more uniform cooking.
• Marinate chicken in pineapple juice for 30 minutes prior to cooking to enhance tenderness and infuse tropical flavor throughout the meat.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes or substituting with sriracha or chili garlic sauce for different spice preferences.
• Transform dish into a low-carb option by replacing rice with cauliflower rice or serving over zucchini noodles for a lighter meal alternative.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 22 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400 kcal
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg