Description
Succulent pineapple chicken and rice combines sweet tropical flavors with savory protein in a delightful island-inspired dish. Fragrant jasmine rice provides the perfect bed for juicy marinated chicken and tangy pineapple chunks, creating a balanced meal that satisfies you completely.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 cup (200 g) jasmine or long-grain rice, rinsed
- 1 ½ cups (375 ml) chicken broth
- ½ cup (125 ml) pineapple juice (from the can or fresh)
- 1 cup (150 g) fresh or canned pineapple chunks
- ½ red bell pepper, diced
- ½ onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar (optional, for extra sweetness)
- ¼ tsp chili flakes (optional, for heat)
- Sliced green onions
- Toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Coat chicken pieces uniformly with a harmonious blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika, ensuring robust flavor penetration.
- Protein Searing: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, creating a perfect golden-brown exterior for the chicken, cooking thoroughly for 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Vegetable Foundation: In the same skillet, sauté diced onions, bell peppers, and minced garlic until they become translucent and release their aromatic essence, developing a flavor-rich base.
- Rice Integration: Introduce rinsed rice to the vegetable mixture, stirring to coat grains with the savory foundation and prepare for liquid absorption.
- Liquid Infusion: Combine chicken broth, pineapple juice, soy sauce, honey, and chili flakes, pouring over the rice mixture. Incorporate the previously seared chicken and pineapple chunks, gently folding to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Simmering Process: Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and allow the dish to simmer for 18-20 minutes, enabling rice to become tender and flavors to meld completely.
- Resting and Finishing: Let the dish rest covered for 5 minutes, then fluff rice with a fork to create a light texture. Garnish with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
- Perfectly Season Chicken: Ensure even spice distribution by patting chicken dry before seasoning and using a light hand to coat each piece uniformly for maximum flavor absorption.
- Control Skillet Temperature: Maintain medium heat to achieve golden-brown chicken without burning, watching for consistent color and preventing moisture loss during cooking.
- Balance Liquid Ratio: Measure pineapple juice and chicken broth precisely to prevent soggy or dry rice, adjusting slightly based on rice type and desired consistency.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Easily adapt recipe by substituting chicken with tofu for vegetarian version, using cauliflower rice for low-carb option, or selecting gluten-free soy sauce for sensitive diets.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg