Description
Tropical vibes dance through this pineapple chicken and rice, blending sweet and savory flavors from Hawaiian cuisine. Juicy chicken mingles with caramelized pineapple chunks, creating a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 lbs chicken breast, boneless and skinless
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
Grains and Base:
- 2 cups white rice
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
Seasonings and Additives:
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, grated
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare chicken by trimming excess fat and cutting into bite-sized cubes, ensuring uniform pieces for even cooking.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, creating a sizzling surface for searing chicken.
- Add chicken cubes to the skillet, seasoning with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown and thoroughly cooked, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Remove chicken from skillet and set aside, maintaining its warmth and juiciness.
- In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic and grated ginger for 30 seconds, releasing their aromatic flavors.
- Incorporate pineapple chunks, stirring to caramelize and develop a rich, sweet profile.
- Whisk together soy sauce and brown sugar, creating a glossy, umami-rich sauce.
- Return chicken to the skillet, coating thoroughly with the pineapple-sauce mixture.
- Simultaneously, cook white rice in chicken broth using a rice cooker or stovetop method, ensuring fluffy and flavorful grains.
- Once rice is tender, plate by creating a bed of rice and topping with the pineapple-glazed chicken.
- Garnish with optional fresh herbs or sesame seeds for added texture and visual appeal.
Notes
- Select boneless, skinless chicken breasts for leaner protein and easier preparation.
- Pat chicken dry before cubing to achieve better browning and prevent steaming in the skillet.
- Use fresh pineapple for more vibrant flavor and natural sweetness, though canned works as a convenient alternative.
- Adjust sauce consistency by adding cornstarch slurry if you prefer a thicker glaze.
- Consider reducing brown sugar for lower-sugar diets or substituting with honey or maple syrup.
- Swap white rice with cauliflower rice for a low-carb, keto-friendly version of the dish.
- Enhance protein content by adding edamame or cashews for extra crunch and nutrition.
- Balance sweet and savory notes by adding a splash of rice vinegar or lime juice to the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg