Description
This Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken & Rice recipe offers a delicious blend of savory and sweet flavors with tender chicken, juicy pineapple chunks, and vibrant bell peppers, all tossed in a flavorful soy-based sauce served over fluffy white rice. It’s a quick and easy skillet dish perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Vegetables
- 1 lb chicken breast, cubed
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced
- 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or drained canned)
Sauce
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
Additional
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 2 green onions, chopped (optional)
- 1 tsp sesame seeds (optional)
- Cooking oil for sautéing
Instructions
- Sear the Chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add cubed chicken breast and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and fresh ginger. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Then add the chopped red bell pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly tender.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, cornstarch, and water until smooth and combined.
- Cook the Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce mixture into the skillet with the vegetables. Simmer the sauce for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens.
- Combine Chicken and Pineapple: Add the browned chicken and pineapple chunks to the thickened sauce in the skillet. Stir well to coat everything evenly and cook together for an additional 3-4 minutes to meld flavors.
- Serve: Serve the pineapple chicken mixture hot over cooked white rice. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds if desired for added flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breast with thigh meat for a juicier texture.
- Fresh pineapple adds a vibrant taste, but canned pineapple (drained) works well too.
- Adjust the brown sugar according to your desired level of sweetness.
- For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add some crushed red pepper flakes while cooking the sauce.
