Description
Pineapple Chicken and Rice is a delightful, easy-to-make recipe combining tender chicken, sweet pineapple, and fluffy rice. Perfect for weeknight dinners, this dish offers a harmonious blend of tropical flavors that satisfy and refresh. It’s quick to prepare and can be customized with various vegetables or proteins to suit your taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Main Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, drained)
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup bell peppers, diced (optional)
Liquids and Seasonings
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients: Dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces, chop the onion and bell peppers, mince the garlic, and drain the pineapple chunks. Measure out the rice and chicken broth.
- Cook the chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or pan over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same pan, add the chopped onion, garlic, and grated ginger if using. Sauté until fragrant and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the bell peppers if using and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Add rice and liquids: Stir in the rice and toast it lightly for 1-2 minutes with the aromatics. Pour in the chicken broth and soy sauce, mixing well to combine.
- Cook rice and combine with chicken and pineapple: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover the pan, and simmer for 15-18 minutes or until the rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Stir in the cooked chicken and pineapple chunks. Cover and let it warm through for an additional 3-5 minutes.
- Final seasonings and serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or soy sauce if needed. Fluff the rice gently with a fork and serve hot, ideally with a side green salad or steamed vegetables.
- Enjoy your meal: Delight in the balanced sweet and savory flavors of the pineapple chicken and rice, perfect for a quick, satisfying family dinner.
Notes
- For a vegetarian variant, swap chicken with tofu and use vegetable broth.
- Adding vegetables like snap peas or carrots can enhance nutrition and color.
- If using canned pineapple, drain well to avoid excess liquid in the dish.
- For added heat, consider a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
