Try Our Sweet & Savory Chicken Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe Today

Weeknight dinners demand excitement, and this chicken pineapple fried rice recipe delivers a burst of tropical flavors that dance across your plate.

Sweet and tangy pineapple chunks intermingle with tender chicken pieces, creating a colorful medley of taste and texture.

Golden-brown rice sizzles with vibrant vegetables, bringing depth to every single bite.

Fragrant herbs and a hint of soy sauce add layers of complexity that make this dish truly special.

The combination transforms an ordinary meal into a restaurant-worthy experience you can craft right in your kitchen.

Minimal ingredients and quick preparation mean you can enjoy this delicious creation without spending hours cooking.

Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that promises to delight your taste buds and impress even the pickiest eaters.

Key Ingredients for Chicken Pineapple Fried Rice

• Chicken Thighs or Breast: Tender meat that provides protein and serves as the primary protein source for the dish.

• Soy Sauce, Sesame Oil, Cornstarch, Baking Soda: Flavor enhancers and tenderizers that help create juicy and well-seasoned chicken.

• Jasmine Rice: Cold, day-old rice that ensures the perfect texture and prevents clumping during frying.

• Garlic, Onion: Foundational flavor builders that add depth and fragrance to the fried rice.

• Mixed Vegetables, Pineapple: Colorful additions that provide nutritional variety and a sweet-tangy contrast to the savory elements.

• Fish Sauce, Salt, Black Pepper: Flavor boosters that enhance the overall taste profile of the dish.
• Vegetable Oil: Cooking medium that helps prevent sticking and facilitates even cooking.

How to Make a Balanced Sweet-Savory Fried Rice

Step 1: Prep the Rice

Grab your cold, day-old jasmine rice and gently break apart any clumps using a rice paddle or your hands.

This ensures smooth frying later.

Set the rice aside and get ready for a flavor explosion.

Step 2: Marinate the Protein

Slice chicken into diagonal pieces.

• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil
• Cornstarch
• Baking soda

Mix thoroughly, coating each chicken slice.

Let it rest for 10-15 minutes to absorb those delicious flavors.

Step 3: Sizzle the Chicken

Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.

Cook marinated chicken until fully cooked and lightly browned.

Remove and set aside.

Step 4: Awaken the Aromatics

In the same pan, sauté minced garlic and diced onions until fragrant and translucent.

Watch carefully to prevent burning.

Step 5: Introduce Colorful Companions

Add mixed vegetables and diced pineapple to the pan.

Cook for 3-4 minutes, letting excess moisture evaporate.

Create space on one side of the pan for the rice.

Step 6: Transform the Rice

Drizzle additional vegetable oil in the pan.

• Soy sauce
• Fish sauce
• Salt
• Black pepper

Toss and mix thoroughly, ensuring everything is well-coated.

Step 7: Bring It All Together

Return cooked chicken to the pan.

Stir to combine all ingredients evenly.

Heat through completely.

Serve piping hot and savor the incredible mix of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors in every bite.

Tips to Get Fluffy Rice and Juicy Chicken

• Cold, leftover rice prevents soggy, clumpy fried rice by reducing moisture and helping grains separate easily during cooking.
• Adding baking soda to the marinade breaks down protein fibers, ensuring juicy, tender chicken slices that won't become tough or dry.
• Maintain medium-high temperature to achieve perfect browning without burning garlic, onions, or ingredients, which helps develop deep, rich flavors.
• Mix pineapple chunks strategically to create a harmonious flavor profile that complements the salty soy sauce and chicken without overwhelming the dish.
• Utilize the same pan for each cooking stage to preserve and layer flavors, reducing dishes and enhancing overall taste complexity.

Storage and Reheat Tips for Fried Rice Dishes

• Transfer leftover fried rice to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture and odors from affecting the dish's flavor.
• Pack the cooled fried rice in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label with the date and store for up to 1 month. Avoid freezing for longer to maintain quality.
• Place rice in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent dryness. Cover with a damp paper towel and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
• Warm a non-stick pan over medium heat, add a small amount of oil. Spread the rice evenly and stir frequently to prevent sticking. Heat for 3-5 minutes until steaming hot and crispy edges form.

Best Pairings With This Flavor-Packed Stir Fry

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a chilled Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc to complement the sweet-savory pineapple chicken fried rice, cutting through the richness while enhancing the tropical fruit notes.
• Boost with Refreshing Beer: Choose a light lager or wheat beer like Singha or Tsingtao, which provides a crisp, clean finish that balances the complex flavors and cuts through the dish's oiliness.
• Elevate with Tropical Mocktail: Create a pineapple-ginger spritzer using fresh pineapple juice, ginger syrup, sparkling water, and a hint of mint, mirroring the dish's tropical essence and offering a zesty, non-alcoholic alternative.
• Enhance with Fruity Cocktail: Mix a classic Mai Tai or Piña Colada, leveraging rum's sweetness and tropical ingredients that echo the pineapple and chicken's flavor profile, creating a harmonious dining experience.

Variations You Can Try on This Island-Style Rice

• Vegetarian Swap: Replace chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, cubed and marinated in the same sauce for a plant-based protein alternative that absorbs flavors beautifully.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure cornstarch is certified gluten-free, making the recipe safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Substitute rice with cauliflower rice, maintaining the tropical flavor profile while reducing carbohydrate content for ketogenic dieters.
• Spicy Version: Add sriracha or chili flakes during the final cooking stage, introducing a heat element that complements the sweet pineapple and savory chicken.

FAQs

• Why use day-old rice for fried rice?

Day-old rice is drier and less sticky, which helps prevent clumping and ensures each grain of rice gets perfectly crispy and separates easily during frying.

• What does baking soda do in the chicken marinade?

Baking soda helps tenderize the chicken by breaking down protein molecules, making the meat softer and more juicy when cooked.

• Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?

Fresh pineapple works great! Just make sure to drain excess liquid to prevent the fried rice from becoming too watery during cooking.

• Is it necessary to marinate the chicken?

Marinating adds flavor and helps tenderize the meat, but if you’re short on time, you can skip it. Just season the chicken with soy sauce and seasonings before cooking.

Why Chicken Pineapple Fried Rice Tastes Tropical

• Dive into a taste adventure where sweet pineapple, savory chicken, and perfectly seasoned rice create a symphony of delightful flavors that dance on your palate.
• Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe super accessible for home cooks of all skill levels, transforming complex dish preparation into an effortless culinary experience.
• Perfect for quick weeknight dinners, lunch meal prep, or impressing guests with an impressive yet simple one-pan wonder that satisfies diverse taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Easily adapt the recipe by swapping proteins, adding extra vegetables, or adjusting spice levels to match your personal taste, making it a flexible go-to meal for spontaneous cooking adventures.

Chicken Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling Hawaiian-inspired chicken pineapple fried rice brings tropical flavors dancing across your plate. Sweet and savory notes combine effortlessly, delivering a delightful meal that transports palates straight to island paradise with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 0.5 pounds (1/2 lb) skinless boneless chicken thighs or chicken breast
• 2 teaspoons regular soy sauce (for chicken marinade)
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch (or potato starch)
• 0.25 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil (or any neutral oil)

Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups cooked jasmine rice (cold, day old rice ideally)
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn and/or green beans, rinsed and strained)
• 1 cup pineapple (diced or used diced canned pineapples)
• 0.5 cup onion (finely diced, or sub with shallots/green onions)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)

Seasoning and Cooking:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or any neutral oil for cooking)
• 1.5 tablespoons regular soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon fish sauce (or sub with oyster sauce)
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Separate cold jasmine rice into individual grains using fingers or rice paddle to prevent clumping during cooking.
2. Cut chicken into thin diagonal slices and combine with soy sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, and baking soda. Allow marinade to infuse for 10-15 minutes at room temperature.
3. Heat vegetable oil in large skillet over medium-high heat around 375°F. Sear marinated chicken until thoroughly cooked and golden brown, approximately 3-4 minutes. Transfer meat to separate plate.
4. In same skillet, sauté minced garlic and diced onions until fragrant and translucent, roughly 2 minutes.
5. Add mixed vegetables and pineapple chunks to pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes, allowing moisture to evaporate and ingredients to slightly caramelize.
6. Push vegetables to pan’s side and drizzle additional oil. Introduce rice, soy sauce, fish sauce, salt, and black pepper. Stir vigorously to distribute seasonings evenly.
7. Reintegrate cooked chicken into rice mixture, ensuring uniform heating and complete ingredient integration. Toss continuously for 2 minutes until everything is piping hot.
8. Transfer immediately to serving dishes, garnishing with optional green onions or cilantro for enhanced visual appeal and fresh flavor profile.

Notes

• Use day-old cold rice for the best texture and to prevent soggy, clumpy fried rice that sticks together during cooking.
• Marinate chicken with baking soda to tenderize the meat, creating a silky, smooth protein that absorbs flavors more effectively.
• Choose high heat and a wide pan to ensure each ingredient gets proper caramelization, preventing steaming and maintaining crisp vegetable textures.
• Customize the recipe by swapping proteins like shrimp or tofu, or make it vegetarian by omitting meat and doubling vegetable quantities for a balanced meal.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg