Juicy Pineapple Chicken and Rice Recipe for Family Dinners

Pineapple chicken and rice brings tropical excitement to your dinner table with its vibrant blend of sweet and savory flavors.

Culinary magic happens when juicy fruits meet tender protein in this crowd-pleasing meal.

Delightful combinations create unexpected taste experiences that enhance ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

The bright, tangy essence of this dish promises a refreshing twist on classic comfort food.

Balanced seasonings and carefully selected ingredients elevate a simple recipe into a memorable dining adventure.

Fragrant spices and succulent meat merge with perfectly cooked grains for a harmonious plate that satisfies multiple cravings.

Each bite delivers a symphony of textures and flavor profiles that dance across your palate.

Cooking Pineapple Chicken and Rice in Harmony

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Seasoning

• Dried thyme
• Salt
• Black pepper

Massage the seasonings gently into the chicken to ensure maximum flavor absorption.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

Heat a large skillet over medium flame and add vegetable oil. Carefully place the seasoned chicken breasts into the hot pan. Cook until golden brown on both sides, creating a beautiful caramelized exterior that locks in moisture.

Step 3: Create Magical Sauce Base

Drain the pineapple slices, saving every drop of the precious juice. In two separate bowls, work your sauce magic:

• Cornstarch
• 2 fl oz of reserved pineapple juice

• Remaining pineapple juice
• Dijon mustard
• Honey
• Minced garlic

Whisk each bowl separately to combine ingredients smoothly.

Step 4: Simmer and Infuse Flavors

Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the seared chicken. Lower the heat, cover the pan, and let the flavors dance together for 15 minutes. This slow cooking process allows the chicken to become incredibly tender and absorb all the tropical goodness.

Step 5: Thicken the Sauce

Carefully remove the chicken and set aside. Introduce the cornstarch mixture to the skillet, stirring constantly. Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, watching it transform into a luscious, glossy coating that clings perfectly to the chicken.

Step 6: Final Flavor Fusion

Return the chicken to the skillet, coating it generously with the thickened sauce. Artfully arrange pineapple slices around and on top of the chicken. Cover and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the pineapple to warm and release its sweet essence.

Step 7: Serve and Celebrate

Plate your masterpiece over fluffy rice, ensuring each serving gets a generous portion of chicken, pineapple, and that incredible sauce. The result is a vibrant, mouthwatering dish that brings a tropical vacation right to your dinner table.

Kitchen Hacks for Tender Chicken and Fluffy Rice

• Master Chicken Browning: Ensure your skillet is preheated to medium heat for a perfect golden-brown exterior that locks in juicy chicken flavor.
• Juice Preservation Trick: Save every drop of pineapple juice for maximum flavor intensity in the sauce, transforming a simple dish into a restaurant-worthy meal.
• Cornstarch Mixing Magic: Whisk the cornstarch with juice until completely smooth to prevent any lumpy texture in your sauce, guaranteeing a silky-smooth finish.
• Simmering Secrets: Keep the heat low and cover the skillet to maintain tender, moist chicken that practically melts in your mouth.
• Pineapple Placement Pro: Arrange pineapple slices strategically to ensure each chicken piece gets maximum tropical flavor and beautiful caramelization.

How to Store and Reheat Your Pineapple Chicken Rice

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled chicken and rice to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheat Safely: Warm the chicken and rice in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or reserved pineapple juice to prevent drying. Stir gently and heat until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Freeze Option: Pack leftovers in freezer-safe containers, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to maintain the best texture and flavor.

Best Pairings to Complement Tropical Chicken Rice

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Complement the sweet and tangy pineapple chicken with a chilled Riesling or Gewürztraminer. These light, slightly sweet wines will enhance the dish's tropical flavors and balance the rich sauce beautifully.
• Tropical Mocktail Magic: Mix a refreshing pineapple-ginger mocktail using fresh pineapple juice, sparkling water, and a hint of ginger. This non-alcoholic beverage will echo the dish's fruity notes and provide a zesty, cooling contrast.
• Coconut Rice Side Kick: Transform your plain rice into a tropical companion by cooking it with coconut milk. The creamy, subtle sweetness will perfectly harmonize with the pineapple chicken's tangy sauce and add an extra layer of exotic flavor.
• Crisp Green Salad Companion: Toss a light salad with mixed greens, cucumber, and a citrusy vinaigrette. The fresh, bright salad will cut through the richness of the chicken and provide a refreshing counterpoint to the sweet and savory main dish.

Spice Up Your Dish with These Pineapple Chicken Variations

• Tropical Mango Fusion: Replace pineapple with fresh mango chunks for a sweeter, more vibrant flavor profile that brings Caribbean-inspired notes to the chicken.
• Spicy Island Kick: Add red pepper flakes or jalapeños to the sauce for those craving a heat-packed version that wakes up taste buds with a zesty punch.
• Coconut Lime Remix: Incorporate coconut milk into the sauce and squeeze fresh lime juice for a tangy, creamy alternative that transports your palate to Southeast Asian cuisine.
• Teriyaki Pineapple Variation: Swap Dijon mustard with teriyaki sauce to create a Japanese-inspired take that deepens the umami and sweetness of the original recipe.

Tropical Pineapple Chicken and Rice That Will Transport You

• Burst with Tropical Sweetness: Experience a delightful flavor explosion where tangy pineapple perfectly balances the savory chicken, creating a mouth-watering combination that dances on your taste buds.
• Quick and Effortless Cooking: Whip up this delicious meal in just 35 minutes, making it an ideal option for busy weeknight dinners or spontaneous family gatherings without compromising on taste or quality.
• Sauce-lover's Dream: The velvety sauce made with Dijon mustard, honey, and pineapple juice transforms ordinary chicken into an extraordinary culinary experience, offering rich, complex flavors in every single bite.
• Versatile One-Pan Wonder: Simplify your cooking process with a single skillet meal that minimizes cleanup while maximizing flavor, perfect for home cooks who want delicious results without complicated techniques.

Essential Ingredients for a Sunny Chicken Rice Bowl

• Boneless Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that forms the main protein of the dish, best when fresh and without visible fat.

• Dried Thyme, Salt, Pepper: Classic seasonings that add depth and enhance the chicken's natural flavor, providing a balanced taste profile.

• Pineapple, Pineapple Juice: Brings sweet and tangy tropical flavor, adds moisture and natural sweetness to the dish.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken the sauce and create a glossy, smooth texture.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds a sharp, tangy kick that complements the sweet pineapple.
• Honey: Provides natural sweetness and helps create a glossy sauce.
• Garlic Cloves: Adds aromatic depth and savory undertone to the sauce.

• Vegetable Oil: Helps prevent sticking and facilitates even cooking of the chicken.
• Cooked Rice: Neutral base that absorbs the flavorful sauce, serving as a perfect accompaniment.

Pineapple Chicken and Rice Recipe

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4.9 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Tropical Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken brings island flavors to your dinner table with juicy chicken, caramelized pineapple chunks, and fluffy rice. Zesty marinade and quick skillet cooking promise a delicious meal that transports you to paradise in mere minutes.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1.5 pounds boneless chicken breasts

Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ cup Dijon mustard
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 can (20 ounces/567 grams) sliced pineapple (juice reserved)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 4 servings of cooked rice

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Instructions

1. Massage the chicken breasts with thyme, creating a delicate herb crust that will enhance the meat’s natural flavors.
2. Heat a skillet to medium temperature and introduce vegetable oil, allowing it to shimmer before gently laying the seasoned chicken to achieve a golden-brown exterior.
3. Extract the pineapple juice from the slices, carefully measuring and separating the liquid into two portions – one for cornstarch integration and another for sauce construction.
4. Whisk the pineapple juice with Dijon mustard, honey, and minced garlic, creating a vibrant marinade that promises complex flavor profiles.
5. Merge the mustard-based mixture with the chicken in the skillet, reducing heat and allowing the ingredients to meld together under a protective lid for approximately 15 minutes.
6. Temporarily relocate the chicken to a warm plate while transforming the remaining skillet contents into a luxurious sauce by introducing the cornstarch mixture and stirring until the liquid reaches a glossy, thickened consistency.
7. Reunite the chicken with the sauce, gently coating each piece while strategically positioning pineapple slices around and atop the meat.
8. Allow a final brief cooking period to marry the flavors and warm the pineapple, creating a harmonious tropical-inspired dish.
9. Present the chicken cascading over fluffy rice, ensuring each serving captures the essence of sweet and savory elements.

Notes

• Whip up a tropical feast by transforming simple chicken breasts into a tantalizing dish bursting with sweet and savory flavors.
• Leverage the natural sweetness of pineapple juice to create a luscious sauce that elevates the entire meal from ordinary to extraordinary.
• Master the art of balancing cornstarch and juice to achieve the perfect sauce consistency that clings beautifully to each tender chicken piece.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 445
• Sugar: 17 g
• Sodium: 392 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg