Description
Tropical pineapple chicken and rice bring sweet and savory flavors dancing across your plate, creating a delightful island-inspired meal. Juicy chicken, caramelized pineapple chunks, and fluffy rice combine into a quick dinner that transports you to warm Pacific coastlines.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Fruits and Vegetables:
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 1 can (15 ounces/425 grams) pineapple chunks, drained
Sauces and Seasonings:
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) soy sauce
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) honey
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Starch:
- 2 cups (400 grams) cooked rice
Instructions
- Sear chicken in a hot skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat until golden brown on both surfaces, approximately 4-5 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
- In the same skillet, sauté chopped onions until translucent and slightly softened, creating a fragrant base for the dish.
- Add drained pineapple chunks, creating a vibrant and tangy layer. Pour in soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes to develop a complex, sweet-savory sauce.
- Simmer the sauce for 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify, creating a rich, aromatic mixture.
- Reintroduce the seared chicken into the skillet, gently coating each piece with the pineapple-infused sauce. Continue cooking for an additional 5-6 minutes to ensure the chicken is thoroughly heated and absorbs the sauce’s flavors.
- Plate the pineapple chicken over fluffy rice, ensuring each serving receives an equal distribution of sauce, chicken, and pineapple chunks.
- Garnish with optional fresh herbs or green onions for added freshness and visual appeal before serving hot.
Notes
- Tenderize chicken beforehand by pounding it to an even thickness, ensuring consistent cooking and juicier meat.
- Opt for fresh pineapple chunks instead of canned for a brighter, more vibrant flavor profile and added natural sweetness.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium soy sauce and adjusting salt content to personal taste preferences.
- Enhance dietary flexibility by substituting chicken with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version, maintaining the dish’s delicious tropical essence.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg