Description
Easy Pineapple Chicken with Rice is a sweet and savory dish featuring tender chicken in a tangy pineapple sauce, served over fluffy rice. It’s quick, colorful, and packed with tropical flavor—perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 can (15 oz) pineapple chunks, juice reserved
- 3 cups cooked white or brown rice
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (use gluten-free if needed)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ginger (fresh grated or 1/2 tsp ground)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp olive oil or sesame oil
- 1 bell pepper, sliced (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Green onions or sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté garlic, ginger, and bell pepper (if using) for 2–3 minutes until softened.
- In a small bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, cornstarch, and water.
- Add pineapple chunks and sauce to the skillet. Stir and let simmer for 2–3 minutes until thickened.
- Return cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to coat with sauce. Simmer for another 2–3 minutes.
- Serve chicken and sauce over rice. Garnish with green onions or sesame seeds.
Notes
- Use fresh pineapple if available, but include juice or extra liquid for the sauce.
- Swap rice with quinoa, cauliflower rice, or noodles as desired.
- Add red pepper flakes or sriracha for a spicy kick.
- Include extra vegetables like broccoli, snap peas, or carrots for more color and nutrition.
- Reheat with a splash of water if sauce thickens too much in storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
