Pineapple Chicken and Rice Recipe

Pineapple Chicken and Rice Recipe

Bring a bright, tropical twist to your dinner table with this delicious Pineapple Chicken and Rice! Featuring tender, caramelized chunks of chicken and sweet, juicy pineapple chunks tossed together over a bed of savory seasoned rice, this flavor-packed dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

• 1.5 cups cooked white or brown rice

• 1 cup fresh or canned pineapple chunks (reserve some juice)

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tablespoons cooking oil (divided)

• ⅓ cup soy sauce

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar or honey

• 1 tablespoon pineapple juice (reserved from the chunks)

• A pinch of salt and black pepper

• Chopped green onions for garnish

Instructions

1. Sear the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, add them to the pan, and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken and set it aside.

2. Caramelize the Pineapple: In the same skillet, add the remaining oil if needed. Add the pineapple chunks and sear them for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly caramelized and golden. Remove the pineapple and set it aside with the chicken.

3. Build the Sauce: Lower the heat to medium, add the minced garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar, and the splash of reserved pineapple juice to the skillet. Let it simmer and bubble for 1 to 2 minutes until slightly thickened.

4. Combine with Rice: Add the cooked rice directly into the skillet, tossing it well until every grain is coated in the savory-sweet glaze and heated through.

5. Bring It All Together: Return the cooked chicken and caramelized pineapple to the skillet, gently tossing everything together. Garnish with freshly chopped green onions and serve warm!