Pineapple Chicken and Rice

Pineapple Chicken and Rice

Serves: 4
Total time: ~40 minutes
Style: One-pan, sweet & savory

Ingredients

Chicken

• 1½ lb (700 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into chunks

• 1 tbsp cornstarch (helps browning & sauce cling)

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 1 tbsp oil (vegetable or sesame)

Pineapple Sauce

• ¾ cup pineapple juice (from canned pineapple)

• ⅓ cup soy sauce (low sodium recommended)

• ¼ cup brown sugar

• 2 tbsp honey

• 2 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)

• 1 tsp sesame oil

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated (or ½ tsp ground ginger)

• 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (slurry)

Rice

• 2 cups uncooked jasmine or long-grain rice

• 4 cups chicken broth or water

• ½ tsp salt

Add-Ins & Garnish

• 1½ cups pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, drained)

• 3 green onions, sliced

• Optional: sesame seeds or red pepper flakes

Instructions

1️⃣ Cook the rice

1. Rinse rice until water runs mostly clear.

2. In a pot, bring chicken broth and salt to a boil.

3. Add rice, stir once, cover, and reduce heat to low.

4. Cook 15–18 minutes until liquid is absorbed.

5. Fluff with a fork and set aside.

2️⃣ Prep & sear the chicken

1. Toss chicken with cornstarch, salt, and pepper.

2. Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.

3. Add chicken in a single layer.

4. Cook 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.

5. Remove chicken and set aside.

🔥 Don’t overcrowd the pan — cook in batches if needed.

3️⃣ Make the pineapple sauce

1. In a bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger.

2. Pour sauce into the skillet over medium heat.

3. Bring to a gentle simmer.

4. Stir in cornstarch slurry.

5. Cook 2–3 minutes until thick and glossy.

4️⃣ Combine everything

1. Add chicken back into the skillet.

2. Toss to coat in sauce.

3. Gently fold in pineapple chunks.

4. Simmer 2–3 minutes until everything is sticky and heated through.

5️⃣ Assemble

1. Spoon rice into bowls or a serving dish.

2. Top with pineapple chicken and extra sauce.

3. Sprinkle with green onions (and sesame seeds if using).

Pro Tips

• 🍍 Fresh pineapple gives brighter flavor; canned is sweeter.

• 🍯 Want it sweeter? Add 1 more tbsp honey.

• 🌶 Like heat? Add chili flakes or sriracha to the sauce.

• 🥦 Veggie add-ins: bell peppers, snap peas, or broccoli work great.

Storage & Meal Prep

• Keeps 4 days in the fridge

• Reheats well in microwave or skillet

• Perfect for lunch bowls