Zesty Pineapple Chicken and Rice Recipe for Dinner Delight

Sizzling aromas of sweet and savory pineapple chicken and rice recipe fill the kitchen, promising a delightful culinary adventure.

Tender chunks of chicken mingle with juicy pineapple pieces, creating a tropical flavor explosion.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of tangy and rich notes that dance across your palate.

The golden-brown caramelized edges of the chicken hint at the delectable meal waiting to be devoured.

Fragrant rice soaks up the vibrant sauce, making every forkful a celebration of global cuisine.

Quick to prepare and even faster to disappear from plates, this dish brings restaurant-quality flavors right to your dining table.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe for your next weeknight dinner sensation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 475 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Sweet Pineapple Chicken and Rice

• Boneless Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that absorbs delicious marinade flavors and provides a tender, juicy base for the dish.

• Dried Thyme, Salt, Pepper: Classic herbs and spices that enhance the chicken's natural taste and add depth to the overall flavor profile.

• Pineapple Slices, Pineapple Juice: Brings tropical sweetness, tenderizes the meat, and creates a vibrant, tangy sauce base.
• Cornstarch: Acts as a thickening agent to give the sauce a glossy, smooth consistency.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds a sharp, tangy kick that balances the sweetness of the pineapple and honey.
• Honey: Provides natural sweetness and helps create a beautiful caramelized glaze on the chicken.
• Garlic Cloves: Introduces a pungent, aromatic element that deepens the sauce's complexity.

• Cooked Rice: Serves as a perfect neutral base to soak up the flavorful pineapple chicken sauce.

• Vegetable Oil: Helps prevent sticking and ensures even cooking of the chicken.

Tools for Cooking Pineapple Chicken and Rice

• Skillet: Large, deep pan essential for browning chicken and creating the sauce.
• Cutting board: Perfect for seasoning and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp knife: Needed for mincing garlic and handling chicken.
• Measuring bowls: Small bowls for mixing cornstarch, pineapple juice, and other sauce ingredients.
• Whisk: Great for blending sauce ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring spoons: Helpful for accurate seasoning and ingredient amounts.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Useful for stirring and coating chicken in sauce.

Instructions for a Flavorful Skillet Dish

• Tropical Flavor Prep

Create a delightful foundation for your culinary adventure by gently coating chicken with aromatic herbs and a touch of seasoning.

• Golden Sear

Heat your skillet until it whispers with warmth, transforming the chicken into a beautifully bronzed masterpiece that promises deliciousness.

• Tangy Liquid Magic

Extract the sunshine from pineapple juice, blending it with zesty mustard, sweet honey, and fragrant garlic to craft a sauce that dances with flavor.

• Slow Simmer Symphony

Allow the chicken to luxuriate in the vibrant sauce, letting each moment infuse it with rich, complex tastes that will make taste buds sing.

• Sauce Transformation

Weave cornstarch into the liquid, creating a silky sauce that hugs the chicken with glossy perfection and elevates the entire dish.

• Final Tropical Embrace

Nestle pineapple slices around the chicken, letting them warm and mingle, creating a harmonious blend of sweet and savory notes.

Serve this tropical treasure over fluffy rice, inviting everyone to a culinary journey that captures the essence of sunny, carefree days.

Recipe Tips & Optional Flavor Boosts

• Cooking Tips & Variations
• Chicken Choice Magic: Swap chicken breasts with thighs for extra juiciness or try turkey breast for a lean protein alternative that still delivers incredible flavor.
• Spice Adventure: Add a dash of red pepper flakes or sriracha to the sauce for those who love a subtle kick of heat without overwhelming the sweet pineapple notes.
• Veggie Boost Trick: Toss in diced bell peppers, sliced onions, or zucchini during the last few minutes of cooking to create a more substantial one-pan meal packed with extra nutrients.
• Grill Master Option: For a smoky twist, grill the chicken and pineapple slices instead of pan-cooking, which will add a delightful charred flavor and beautiful grill marks.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the sauce and marinate the chicken overnight in the refrigerator to intensify the flavors and simplify your cooking process the next day.

Creative Serving Tips for Pineapple Chicken

• Tropical Dinner Delight: Creative Serving Suggestions for Pineapple Chicken and Rice
• Hawaiian Luau Plating: Arrange the chicken and pineapple on a large wooden board with colorful tropical flowers for an authentic island-inspired presentation.
• Fresh Side Companions: Add a crisp green salad with cucumber and mandarin oranges to complement the sweet and tangy chicken, creating a balanced meal that bursts with freshness.
• Garnish Glory: Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro or green onions over the dish to add a pop of color and an extra layer of herbal brightness that elevates the entire meal.
• Rice Variation Boost: Swap plain white rice with coconut rice or cilantro-lime rice to enhance the tropical flavor profile and make the dish even more exciting and memorable.

Storage Ideas for Leftover Rice Dish

• Smart Portioning: Divide the chicken and rice into individual meal-prep containers for easy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week. Each container holds a perfect balance of protein, fruit, and grains.
• Refrigerator Freshness: Store leftover pineapple chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Keep the rice separate to maintain its texture and prevent sogginess during storage.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap individual portions in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. The dish stays delicious for up to 2 months when frozen. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Quick Reheat Trick: Warm the chicken gently in a skillet with a splash of extra pineapple juice to restore moisture and prevent drying out. Low and slow heating helps maintain the chicken's tenderness and sauce's vibrant flavor.

Zesty Pineapple Chicken and Rice Recipe

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4.8 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Mouthwatering pineapple chicken and rice combine sweet tropical flavors with tender protein and fluffy grains. Juicy chicken pieces nestled in fragrant rice create a quick weeknight meal packed with Hawaiian-inspired deliciousness you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) boneless chicken breasts
• ¼ cup Dijon mustard
• ¼ cup honey
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (20 oz/567 g) sliced pineapple (juice reserved)
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 4 servings of cooked rice

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Instructions

1. Herb Preparation: Massage chicken breasts with thyme, creating an aromatic herb crust that elevates the meat’s inherent flavors.
2. Searing Technique: Preheat skillet to medium heat, add vegetable oil until shimmering, then gently place seasoned chicken to develop a golden-brown crust while preserving succulent interior.
3. Sauce Composition: Blend pineapple juice with Dijon mustard, honey, and minced garlic, whisking to create a vibrant marinade that promises complex flavor dimensions.
4. Cooking Fusion: Introduce the mustard-based mixture into the skillet, reduce heat, and cover, allowing chicken to simmer and absorb the tropical-inspired marinade for approximately 15 minutes.
5. Sauce Refinement: Remove chicken momentarily, transform skillet contents by incorporating cornstarch mixture, stirring until liquid achieves a glossy, thickened consistency that clings beautifully to the protein.
6. Final Assembly: Return chicken to skillet, gently coat with sauce, strategically arrange pineapple slices around and atop the meat, and warm briefly to harmonize flavors.
7. Plating Presentation: Cascade chicken over fluffy rice, ensuring each serving captures the perfect balance of sweet and savory elements, creating a visually appealing and delectable tropical-inspired dish.

Notes

• Herb Massaging Technique: Thoroughly rub thyme into chicken breasts to create a flavorful, aromatic herb crust that enhances the meat’s natural taste.
• Perfect Searing Tip: Use medium heat and shimmering oil to achieve a golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture and develops rich caramelization.
• Sauce Balancing Trick: Carefully separate pineapple juice for cornstarch mixing and sauce creation to ensure perfect consistency and vibrant flavor depth.
• Flavor Melding Method: Allow chicken to simmer covered, letting the mustard-honey marinade infuse deeply into the meat while creating a luscious, tender result.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 475
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg