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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Herb Preparation: Massage chicken breasts with thyme, creating an aromatic herb crust that elevates the meat’s inherent flavors.
- 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.
- Sauce Composition: Blend pineapple juice with Dijon mustard, honey, and minced garlic, whisking to create a vibrant marinade that promises complex flavor dimensions.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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