Description
This Pineapple Chicken and Rice recipe is a flavorful and easy one-pot meal perfect for weeknights. Tender chicken pieces are sautéed with garlic and red bell pepper, then simmered with pineapple chunks, soy sauce, and honey-infused sauce over rice for a delicious balance of sweet and savory notes.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb Chicken Breast (or thighs)
Vegetables and Fruit
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1/2 whole Red Bell Pepper, diced
- 1 cup Pineapple Chunks
- 1/4 cup Green Onions, chopped
Liquids and Sauces
- 2 tbsp Olive or Sesame Oil
- 1/2 cup Soy Sauce (low sodium)
- 1/3 cup Pineapple Juice
- 1 tbsp Rice Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 tbsp Water
Others
- 2 tbsp Honey or Brown Sugar
- 1 tsp Cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water
- 1.5 cups Cooked Rice
- Sesame seeds for serving
- Crushed red pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients: Chop chicken into bite-sized pieces. Dice the red bell pepper and prepare pineapple chunks to have all ingredients ready.
- Sauté aromatics and vegetables: Heat the olive or sesame oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add minced garlic and diced red bell pepper, sautéing until softened and fragrant.
- Cook the chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the pot, season with salt and pepper, and cook until the chicken is no longer pink and begins to brown slightly on the edges.
- Add sauce and other ingredients: Stir in pineapple chunks, cooked rice, soy sauce, pineapple juice, honey or brown sugar, rice or apple cider vinegar, cornstarch mixture, and a tablespoon of water to create the flavorful sauce combined with rice and chicken.
- Simmer to finish cooking: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let simmer for 20-25 minutes until the rice is tender and has absorbed the sauce.
- Serve and garnish: Fluff the rice with a fork to mix everything evenly. Serve hot, garnished with chopped green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
- Use low sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness of the dish.
- Pineapple juice adds sweetness; you may adjust the amount based on your taste preference.
- If you prefer dark meat, chicken thighs can be substituted for chicken breasts without altering the cooking time significantly.
- This dish can be prepared ahead and reheated, but stir well to maintain texture.
- Optionally add crushed red pepper for a mild heat.
- Make sure rice is pre-cooked before adding to the pot to ensure even cooking.
