Zesty Pineapple Chicken and Rice Recipe for Sunny Dinners
Sizzling aromas fill the kitchen as this vibrant pineapple chicken and rice recipe promises a tropical dance of flavors.
Sweet and tangy pineapple chunks mingle effortlessly with tender chicken, creating a mouthwatering meal that transports you to sunny island shores.
The golden-brown chicken pieces glisten with a perfect caramelized sauce that clings to every grain of fluffy rice.
Each bite offers a delightful balance of savory and sweet notes that will make your taste buds sing.
Weeknight dinners never looked this exciting or tasted this incredible.
Home cooks will adore how simple yet spectacular this dish comes together in just minutes.
This recipe guarantees a delicious escape from ordinary meals that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Calories: 360 kcal
Servings: 5
Ingredient Essentials for Pineapple Chicken and Rice
For Chicken and Seasoning:
Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that creates the main dish's foundation, choose fresh, plump cuts with minimal visible fat.
Thyme: Aromatic herb that adds earthy, slightly minty undertones to enhance chicken's natural flavor.
Salt: Crucial for bringing out the chicken's inherent taste and balancing overall seasoning.
Black Pepper: Provides gentle warmth and subtle spiciness to complement the chicken's profile.
For Sauce and Flavor Enhancers:
Pineapple Juice: Delivers tangy sweetness and tenderizing enzymes for the chicken.
Cornstarch: Magical thickening agent that transforms liquid into silky, glossy sauce.
Dijon Mustard: Sharp condiment that introduces complex, zesty notes.
Honey: Natural sweetener creating glossy, caramelized coating with rich depth.
Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that adds robust, savory undertones to the sauce.
For Cooking and Finishing:
Vegetable Oil: Neutral cooking medium for achieving perfect golden-brown chicken sear.
Pineapple Slices: Adds tropical brightness and decorative topping with juicy texture.
Rice: Neutral base that absorbs and complements the flavorful chicken and sauce.
Tools for Cooking Pineapple Chicken and Rice
Large skillet: Perfect for browning chicken and creating the delicious sauce.
Small bowls: Essential for mixing pineapple juice, cornstarch, and sauce ingredients.
Measuring spoons: Needed for precise seasoning and ingredient amounts.
Cutting board: Helpful for preparing ingredients and mincing garlic.
Sharp knife: Required for slicing or preparing ingredients.
Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and coating chicken in sauce.
Pineapple Chicken and Rice: Step-by-Step Guide
Tropical Pineapple Chicken Delight
Seasoning Prep Sprinkle chicken with herbs and spices to create a flavor foundation that will make your taste buds dance.
Sizzling Skillet Brown the chicken in a hot pan until golden and crispy, developing deep caramelized edges that lock in juicy goodness.
Sauce Magic Whisk together pineapple juice, honey, mustard, and garlic to create a tangy tropical sauce that transforms ordinary chicken into something extraordinary.
Slow Simmer Let the chicken bathe in the vibrant sauce, allowing flavors to meld and intensify while ensuring the meat remains tender and succulent.
Sauce Transformation Thicken the sauce by stirring in a cornstarch mixture, creating a glossy coating that clings perfectly to each piece of chicken.
Pineapple Finale Top the chicken with sweet pineapple slices, letting them warm and release their tropical essence into the dish.
Serving Comfort Nestle the glazed chicken over fluffy rice, drizzling any remaining sauce for a final burst of flavor that ties the entire meal together.
Tips & Substitutions for Pineapple Chicken and Rice
Tropical Flavor Boost: Add a splash of rum or coconut extract to the sauce for an extra Caribbean-inspired twist that elevates the entire dish.
Perfect Chicken Sear: Pat chicken breasts dry before seasoning to ensure a beautiful golden-brown crust that locks in moisture and creates amazing flavor depth.
Sauce Consistency Trick: If the sauce becomes too thick, thin it out with a little extra pineapple juice or water, stirring until you reach the perfect silky texture.
Veggie Power-Up: Toss in some bell peppers, red onions, or snap peas during the final cooking stage to add extra nutrition and create a more colorful, vibrant meal that stretches the dish and adds crunch.
Leftover Magic: Store any remaining chicken and sauce in an airtight container for up to 3 days, making it a great make-ahead meal that tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld and develop.
Serving Ideas for Pineapple Chicken and Rice Dish
Tropical Dinner Party Delight: Invite friends over and create a vibrant island-inspired dining experience with this pineapple chicken centerpiece. Garnish the plates with fresh cilantro and colorful bell pepper rings to elevate the presentation.
Meal Prep Magic: Slice the chicken and store in airtight containers with extra sauce for quick lunch bowls throughout the week. Cold or gently reheated, this dish maintains its delicious flavor and tender texture.
Family-Style Feast: Serve the chicken and rice in a large communal platter, allowing everyone to help themselves. Add a side of steamed broccoli or roasted vegetables to complete the nutritious and colorful meal. Encourage everyone to drizzle extra sauce over their portions for maximum flavor enjoyment.
Brunch Twist: Transform leftovers into a breakfast sensation by topping the chicken and pineapple over crispy hash browns or mixing into scrambled eggs. A sprinkle of green onions adds a fresh morning touch to this versatile dish.
Best Way to Store Pineapple Chicken and Rice
Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days to maintain optimal taste and food safety.
Smart Freezing Technique: Wrap individual chicken portions in freezer-safe plastic wrap, then place inside sealed freezer bags. Frozen meals stay delicious for up to one month when properly packaged.
Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated chicken in microwave using 30-second intervals, stirring between each cycle. Add a tablespoon of extra pineapple juice to prevent drying out and restore moisture.
Meal Prep Advantage: Prepare entire recipe in advance and separate chicken, sauce, and rice into different containers. Keep components separately to maintain texture and prevent soggy ingredients when reheating.
Delectable pineapple chicken and rice brings tropical Hawaiian flavors to your dinner table. Juicy chicken pieces mingle with sweet pineapple chunks over fluffy rice, delivering a complete meal you’ll savor with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
1.5 lbs (680 g) boneless chicken breasts
1 can sliced pineapple (20 oz/567 g, reserve juice)
¼ cup honey
¼ cup Dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 servings cooked rice
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp dried thyme
½ tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
Instructions
Preparation: Season chicken breasts thoroughly with thyme, salt, and pepper, ensuring complete and even coverage on both surfaces.
Searing: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Carefully place seasoned chicken into the pan, cooking until a rich golden-brown crust develops on each side (5-7 minutes per surface), creating a flavorful exterior.
Sauce Composition: Whisk pineapple juice with cornstarch to create a smooth slurry, simultaneously blending remaining juice with Dijon mustard, honey, and finely chopped garlic to develop a complex flavor profile.
Cooking Process: Pour the Dijon-pineapple mixture into the skillet with seared chicken. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer gently to ensure complete chicken cooking, allowing flavors to meld (approximately 15 minutes).
Sauce Refinement: Remove chicken momentarily from the skillet. Elevate heat to medium, introducing cornstarch mixture and stirring continuously until sauce reaches a luxurious, glossy thickened consistency.
Final Assembly: Return chicken to the skillet, thoroughly coating with the glossy sauce. Artfully arrange pineapple slices around and atop the chicken, warming for an additional 2-3 minutes to integrate flavors.
Plating: Serve the succulent chicken over fluffy rice, drizzling remaining sauce for enhanced flavor complexity. Garnish with reserved pineapple slices to create a vibrant, appetizing presentation.
Notes
Sear for Flavor Lock: Browning chicken creates a delicious crust that seals in moisture and develops deep, rich taste profiles.
Sauce Thickening Technique: Cornstarch slurry is crucial for achieving a smooth, glossy sauce without lumps or watery consistency.
Juice Management Tip: Reserve pineapple juice carefully – it’s the secret weapon for creating a complex, sweet-tangy sauce.
Low and Slow Cooking: Gentle simmering ensures chicken remains tender and juicy while absorbing maximum flavor from the aromatic sauce.
Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography, Seasonal and Local Ingredients, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Culinary Education
Education
Portland Community College
Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and food safety. Gained hands-on experience in preparing diverse cuisines and understanding flavor profiles
Oregon Culinary Institute
Program: Baking and Pastry Certificate
Focus: Specialized education in baking fundamentals, pastry arts, and dessert presentation. Emphasized creativity and precision in crafting baked goods.
Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking.
Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes.
Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.
Jessica Martin
Recipe Developer & Food Writer
Expertise
Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography, Seasonal and Local Ingredients, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Culinary Education
Education
Portland Community College
Oregon Culinary Institute
Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking.
Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes.
Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.