Tender, juicy chicken cooked with sweet pineapple, colorful vegetables, and fluffy rice in a delicious sweet-and-savory sauce. It’s an easy one-pan-style meal that works beautifully for lunch or dinner.
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
25–30 minutes
Total Time
40–45 minutes
Servings
4
Ingredients
For the Chicken
1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Rice
1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
½ cup pineapple juice, reserved from the pineapple
½ cup water
1 cup pineapple chunks
1 small red bell pepper, diced
½ small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
For the Sauce
¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
Optional Garnishes
Sliced green onions
Fresh cilantro
Sesame seeds
Fresh lime wedges
Extra pineapple chunks
Instructions
- Season the Chicken
Place the chicken pieces in a bowl. Add garlic powder, ginger, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Toss until evenly coated.
- Make the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, ketchup, sesame oil, and fresh ginger.
In another small bowl, mix cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water until smooth. Set aside.
- Brown the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the chicken and cook for about 5–7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through.
Transfer the chicken to a plate.
- Sauté the Vegetables
Add the onion and bell pepper to the same skillet. Cook for 3–4 minutes until they begin to soften.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Add the Rice
Stir in the rinsed rice.
Add chicken broth, pineapple juice, and water. Stir well and bring to a gentle boil.
- Cook the Rice
Reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet with a lid.
Cook for approximately 15–18 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
Avoid repeatedly lifting the lid while the rice cooks.
- Add Pineapple & Chicken
Once the rice is cooked, gently stir in the pineapple chunks and cooked chicken.
Pour in the prepared sauce and stir.
- Thicken the Sauce
Add the cornstarch slurry and stir continuously over medium-low heat for 1–2 minutes, until the sauce becomes glossy and slightly thickened.
- Finish & Serve
Remove from heat and let the dish rest for about 3 minutes.
Garnish with green onions, cilantro, sesame seeds, and a squeeze of fresh lime if desired.
Serve warm.
Approximate Nutrition
Per serving — based on 4 servings:
Calories: ~520
Protein: ~35 g
Carbohydrates: ~70 g
Fat: ~11 g
Fiber: ~3 g
Sugar: ~20 g
Sodium: ~850–950 mg
Nutrition will vary depending on the specific brands and ingredients used.
Nut & Allergen Information
Nuts: This recipe contains no tree nuts or peanuts as written.
Potential allergens:
Soy: Regular soy sauce contains soy.
Sesame: Sesame oil and sesame seeds contain sesame.
Gluten: Regular soy sauce typically contains wheat.
Dairy: None.
Eggs: None.
Peanuts: None.
Tree nuts: None.
To Make It Gluten-Free
Use certified gluten-free tamari or gluten-free soy sauce, and make sure your other packaged ingredients are gluten-free.
To Make It Nut-Free
The recipe is naturally peanut- and tree-nut-free. For a stricter allergy-safe version, check labels on all packaged ingredients for cross-contact warnings.
To Make It Soy-Free
Replace soy sauce with a suitable soy-free alternative such as coconut aminos.
Sesame-Free
Simply omit the sesame oil and sesame seed garnish.
Easy Substitutions
Chicken: Use boneless chicken thighs instead of chicken breast.
Rice: Brown rice can be used, but it requires additional cooking liquid and a longer cooking time.
Pineapple: Fresh pineapple works wonderfully instead of canned pineapple.
Vegetables: Add broccoli, carrots, peas, snap peas, or zucchini.
Honey: Use maple syrup for a slightly different flavor.
Spice: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha for a spicy pineapple chicken version.
Storage
Refrigerator
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
Freezer
Freeze in individual airtight containers for up to 2–3 months for best quality.
Reheating
Reheat gently in the microwave or in a skillet with a splash of water or broth. Make sure the chicken and rice are heated thoroughly.
Recipe Q&A
Can I use canned pineapple?
Yes! Canned pineapple is perfect. Choose pineapple packed in juice rather than heavy syrup if you want to reduce added sugar.
Can I use fresh pineapple?
Absolutely. Fresh pineapple gives the dish a bright, juicy flavor.
Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are excellent and tend to stay especially juicy.
Why is my rice mushy?
Too much liquid or overcooking can make rice mushy. Measure the liquid carefully and keep the skillet covered while cooking.
Can I make this spicy?
Yes! Add red pepper flakes, sriracha, chili garlic sauce, or a pinch of cayenne.
Can I use brown rice?
Yes, but brown rice generally requires more liquid and a longer cooking time. Follow the cooking instructions for your particular rice.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare the dish, cool it promptly, and refrigerate it in airtight containers. Reheat thoroughly when ready to eat.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
It can be. Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari and verify that the other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
Is pineapple chicken sweet?
It has a naturally sweet-and-savory flavor. The pineapple and honey provide sweetness while soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and vinegar balance it.
Can I reduce the sugar?
Yes. Reduce or omit the honey. Using pineapple packed in juice rather than syrup will also reduce added sweetness.
What can I serve with it?
It’s already a complete meal with chicken, rice, pineapple, and vegetables. You can also serve it with steamed broccoli, a simple cucumber salad, or extra vegetables.
Can I meal prep this?
Yes. Divide into 4 meal-prep containers and refrigerate. Add fresh green onions or lime after reheating for a fresher flavor.
