Description
Tropical pineapple chicken & rice delight brings Caribbean sunshine to dinner plates with bold flavors and easy preparation. Juicy chicken, sweet pineapple, and fragrant rice combine for a quick meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (454 g) boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, drained)
- ½ cup pineapple juice (from canned pineapple or fresh)
- 2 cups cooked jasmine or brown rice
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsps honey or brown sugar
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsps water
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- ½ cup coconut milk (optional)
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
- 2 tbsps toasted coconut flakes (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp sriracha or red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Marinate Chicken: Combine chicken with soy sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cornstarch. Let the flavors meld for maximum taste infusion.
- Sear Protein: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook marinated chicken until golden brown and fully cooked, turning periodically to ensure even caramelization.
- Create Tropical Base: In the same skillet, sauté pineapple chunks, minced garlic, and grated ginger until fragrant and slightly caramelized.
- Develop Sauce: Pour pineapple juice, additional soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and optional sriracha into the skillet. Whisk together to create a vibrant, glossy sauce.
- Thicken and Combine: Reduce heat and introduce cornstarch slurry to achieve a luscious sauce consistency. Reintroduce chicken, coating thoroughly and warming completely.
- Plate and Garnish: Serve over coconut milk-infused jasmine rice, topped with green onions, toasted sesame seeds, coconut flakes, and a lime wedge for a zesty tropical finish.
Notes
- Optimize Marination Time: Let chicken marinate for 15-30 minutes to maximize flavor absorption and tenderize meat effectively.
- Achieve Perfect Sear: Use a hot, dry skillet to create golden-brown chicken edges without overcrowding, which prevents steaming and ensures crispy texture.
- Balance Sauce Consistency: Adjust cornstarch slurry gradually to prevent sauce from becoming too thick; aim for a glossy, clingy coating that enhances chicken’s flavor.
- Customize Spice Levels: Modify sriracha quantity to suit personal heat preferences, or substitute with chili flakes for controlled spiciness without altering sauce’s fundamental profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 70 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg