Introduction & Preparing the Ingredients
Are you looking for a quick, easy, and flavor-packed dinner that only requires one pan? This Pineapple Chicken and Rice recipe is about to become a new favorite!
With juicy chicken, sweet pineapple, and fluffy rice, this dish perfectly balances sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavors in every bite. Plus, it’s an all-in-one meal—no extra pots or dishes needed!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔️ One Pan, Less Cleanup – Everything cooks together in a single skillet.
✔️ Perfectly Balanced Flavors – The sweet pineapple, savory chicken, and soy sauce create the ultimate blend.
✔️ Fast & Easy – Ready in 35 minutes for a no-fuss meal.
✔️ Customizable – Easily adjust the spice level or add extra veggies.
✔️ Meal Prep Friendly – Leftovers taste just as delicious the next day!
If you love sweet and savory dishes like teriyaki chicken or Hawaiian-style meals, this one’s for you!
Step 1: Gather the Ingredients
Before we start cooking, let’s go over what you’ll need:
Main Ingredients:
🍗 Chicken – 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
🍚 Rice – 1 ½ cups long-grain white rice (uncooked)
🍍 Pineapple Chunks – 1 cup fresh or canned (drained)
🌶️ Bell Peppers – ½ cup diced (red, yellow, or green)
🧄 Garlic Powder – 1 teaspoon for added savory depth
🫛 Green Onions & Sesame Seeds – For garnish & crunch
For the Sweet & Savory Sauce:
🍗 Chicken Broth – 1 ¾ cups for cooking the rice
🍍 Pineapple Juice – ½ cup (from the can or fresh)
🥢 Soy Sauce – ¼ cup for umami flavor
🍯 Honey – 2 tablespoons to add natural sweetness
🧄 Ginger (Grated) – 1 teaspoon for a fresh zing
🌶️ Red Pepper Flakes (Optional) – Adds a hint of heat
💡 Pro Tip: If you like extra crunch, toss in cashews or chopped almonds before serving!
Step 2: Sauté the Chicken
Now, let’s get cooking!
1️⃣ Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2️⃣ Add diced chicken to the pan and season with:
✔️ Garlic powder
✔️ Salt & black pepper
✔️ Paprika (for color & mild smokiness)
3️⃣ Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes until lightly browned on all sides.
💡 Browning Tip: You don’t need to cook the chicken all the way through yet—it will finish cooking with the rice!
Step 3: Add the Rice
Once the chicken is browned and fragrant, it’s time to add the uncooked rice.
4️⃣ Stir in 1 ½ cups of long-grain white rice.
5️⃣ Toss the rice with the chicken and seasonings to coat the grains.
💡 Why Add Rice Now?
Coating the rice in the seasonings enhances the flavor and helps prevent it from getting mushy.
Step 4: Mix the Sauce
While the rice is toasting, let’s prepare the sweet and savory sauce.
6️⃣ In a small bowl, whisk together:
✔️ 1 ¾ cups chicken broth
✔️ ½ cup pineapple juice
✔️ ¼ cup soy sauce
✔️ 2 tablespoons honey
✔️ 1 teaspoon grated ginger
✔️ ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
💡 Pro Tip: Adjust the sweetness & spice to your preference! Add extra honey for more sweetness or extra red pepper flakes for heat.
At this point, your kitchen is filled with delicious aromas of sizzling chicken, toasted rice, and a tangy-sweet sauce.
Part 2: Cooking to Perfection & Bringing It All Together
At this point, your diced chicken is browned, the rice is toasted, and your sweet-savory sauce is mixed and ready to go. Now, it’s time to bring it all together and let the magic happen!
Step 5: Simmer Everything Together
Now that our chicken and rice are prepped, it’s time to add the flavorful sauce and let everything simmer to perfection.
1️⃣ Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken and rice in the skillet.
2️⃣ Stir in the pineapple chunks and diced bell peppers.
3️⃣ Bring everything to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
💡 Why Add Pineapple & Peppers Now?
- The pineapple chunks release their juices into the rice, adding extra sweetness.
- The bell peppers soften slightly while still keeping a bit of crunch for texture.
Step 6: Cover & Cook—No Peeking!
Now, we cover the skillet and let the steam do the work.
4️⃣ Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 18-20 minutes.
5️⃣ DO NOT stir or lift the lid! The rice needs to absorb all the liquid evenly.
💡 Why This Step Is Crucial
✔️ Traps moisture so the rice cooks evenly.
✔️ Lets the flavors meld together beautifully.
✔️ Keeps the chicken juicy and tender.
Step 7: Check for Doneness & Fluff the Rice
After 18-20 minutes, it’s time to check if the rice is fully cooked.
6️⃣ Remove the lid and gently fluff the rice with a fork.
✔️ If the rice looks dry: Add a splash of chicken broth or pineapple juice, cover, and let it sit for 5 more minutes.
✔️ If the rice is too wet: Let it cook uncovered for 2-3 minutes until the excess liquid evaporates.
💡 Texture Tip: The rice should be soft, fluffy, and slightly sticky from the pineapple juice!
Step 8: Final Touches & Garnishes
Now that our Pineapple Chicken and Rice is cooked through, it’s time to add the final garnishes that will take this dish from delicious to WOW.
7️⃣ Sprinkle chopped green onions and sesame seeds on top.
8️⃣ Give everything a final toss to combine the flavors.
💡 Optional Add-Ins for Extra Crunch:
✔️ Cashews or sliced almonds for nuttiness.
✔️ A drizzle of sriracha or sweet chili sauce for extra heat.
✔️ Crispy fried onions for added texture.
Time to Serve!
Your sweet, savory, and slightly spicy Pineapple Chicken and Rice is now hot, ready, and bursting with tropical flavor! 🍍🔥
✔️ Scoop a generous portion onto a plate or bowl.
✔️ Serve with a wedge of lime for a tangy kick.
✔️ Pair with a side salad or steamed veggies for a balanced meal.
At this point, your kitchen smells like a tropical paradise, and your dinner is ready to impress!
FAQs, Storage, and Customization Tips
Your Pineapple Chicken and Rice is cooked to perfection, garnished beautifully, and ready to enjoy! But before you dig in, let’s cover some common questions, storage tips, and easy customizations to make this recipe even better.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I Use Brown Rice Instead of White Rice?
Yes! Brown rice works well, but it takes longer to cook.
✔️ Increase the chicken broth to 2 ¼ cups for proper absorption.
✔️ Extend the simmering time to 35-40 minutes (instead of 18-20).
✔️ Keep the lid on to trap steam and cook evenly.
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re short on time, partially cook the brown rice separately before adding it to the skillet!
2. Can I Make This Dish in a Slow Cooker?
Absolutely! Here’s how:
✔️ Sauté the chicken first for extra flavor.
✔️ Add all ingredients to the slow cooker, except for rice and garnishes.
✔️ Cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours.
✔️ Stir in cooked rice during the last 30 minutes to prevent mushiness.
💡 Why Cook the Rice Separately? Slow cookers can overcook rice, making it too soft or mushy. Adding it at the end keeps the texture perfect!
3. How Do I Store Leftovers?
This dish stores beautifully and tastes even better the next day!
✔️ Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
✔️ Freezer: Freeze in portions for up to 2 months.
💡 Reheating Tips:
- Microwave: Add a splash of chicken broth or pineapple juice and reheat in 30-second intervals until warm.
- Stovetop: Heat over medium-low with a little broth to prevent drying out.
4. Can I Add More Vegetables?
Yes! This dish is super versatile. Try mixing in:
✔️ Snow peas or sugar snap peas for crunch
✔️ Shredded carrots for a natural sweetness
✔️ Zucchini or mushrooms for extra flavor
✔️ Chopped kale or spinach (stir in at the end)
💡 Pro Tip: If using frozen veggies, add them in the last 5 minutes of cooking to prevent overcooking.
5. How Can I Make This Spicier?
If you love a little heat, here are a few ways to spice it up:
✔️ Increase red pepper flakes
✔️ Add a drizzle of sriracha or chili garlic sauce
✔️ Use spicy pineapple salsa instead of fresh pineapple
✔️ Toss in diced jalapeños or hot peppers
💡 Balance the Heat: If it gets too spicy, add a drizzle of honey or extra pineapple chunks to mellow it out.
Customization Ideas: Make It Your Own!
💡 Want to change things up? Try these variations:
🥦 Healthier Version
✔️ Use brown rice or cauliflower rice
✔️ Swap honey for a sugar-free alternative
✔️ Skip the soy sauce and use low-sodium tamari or coconut aminos
🍤 Swap the Protein
✔️ Shrimp or tofu – Cooks quickly and absorbs the sauce beautifully!
✔️ Beef strips – Great for a stir-fry twist.
✔️ Pork tenderloin – Thinly sliced, tender, and flavorful.
🍛 Hawaiian BBQ-Style
✔️ Add ½ cup BBQ sauce to the soy sauce mixture.
✔️ Serve with grilled pineapple rings on top.
🍲 Extra Creamy Version
✔️ Stir in ½ cup coconut milk for a tropical curry-style dish.
✔️ Use coconut oil instead of olive oil for a deeper, nuttier flavor.
Final Thoughts: Why You Need This Recipe in Your Life
This Pineapple Chicken and Rice is:
✔️ Quick & Easy – One pan, 35 minutes, and minimal cleanup.
✔️ Sweet, Savory & Slightly Spicy – The perfect balance of flavors!
✔️ Versatile & Customizable – Use different proteins, grains, or veggies to make it your own.
✔️ Meal Prep Friendly – Leftovers store well for quick lunches or dinners.
Now It’s Your Turn!
📌 Did you try this recipe? Let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
🔥 Don’t forget to save this for later and share it with a friend who loves easy, flavorful meals!
Happy Cooking! 🍍🍗🍚🔥
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The Best Instant Pot Pineapple Chicken Recipe for Busy Nights
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
A sweet and savory one-pan meal with tender chicken, juicy pineapple, and flavorful rice—perfect for an easy weeknight dinner! This dish combines tropical flavors with a hint of spice for a satisfying meal the whole family will love.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 ½ cups long-grain white rice (uncooked)
- 1 ¾ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, drained)
- ½ cup pineapple juice (from the can or fresh)
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- ½ cup bell peppers, diced (red, yellow, or green)
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
1️⃣ Sauté the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced chicken, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until lightly browned.
2️⃣ Add the rice: Stir in the uncooked rice, coating it with the seasonings and oil for extra flavor.
3️⃣ Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together chicken broth, pineapple juice, soy sauce, honey, ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using).
4️⃣ Simmer: Pour the sauce over the chicken and rice. Add pineapple chunks and diced bell peppers. Stir to combine.
5️⃣ Cover and cook: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes, until the rice is fully cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
6️⃣ Garnish and serve: Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice and sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
- Crunchy twist: Toss in cashews or chopped almonds before serving for added texture.
- Extra tangy? Add a splash of rice vinegar or lime juice before serving.
- Prefer dark meat? Swap chicken breasts for boneless, skinless thighs for a juicier result.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet with a splash of broth to keep it moist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
