Description
Tropical Pineapple Chicken and Rice brings sweet and savory flavors from Hawaiian cuisine to your dinner table. Juicy chicken chunks nestled with caramelized pineapple create a perfect balance over fluffy rice that promises a delightful culinary escape.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Sweeteners and Seasonings:
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Create a flavorful marinade by blending soy sauce, honey, garlic powder, ginger powder, and black pepper with chicken pieces. Allow the mixture to infuse for 20-30 minutes at room temperature.
- Prepare rice using preferred method, ensuring it’s fluffy and ready to serve as a base for the dish.
- Warm a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat with a thin layer of oil. Carefully place marinated chicken in a single layer, cooking 4-6 minutes per side until achieving a golden-brown exterior and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Introduce pineapple chunks to the skillet, gently sautéing for 2-3 minutes to caramelize edges and enhance natural sweetness.
- Craft a glossy glaze by combining rice vinegar, additional soy sauce, and honey directly in the skillet. Simmer for 1-2 minutes, allowing sauce to reduce and coat chicken and pineapple with a luxurious sheen.
- Transfer perfectly cooked rice to serving plates, arrange glazed chicken and pineapple on top, and sprinkle with finely chopped green onions for a fresh, vibrant finish.
Notes
- Marinate chicken for extra flavor absorption by letting it sit longer, up to 2 hours in the refrigerator.
- Choose fresh pineapple for a brighter, more vibrant taste and texture compared to canned versions.
- Adjust honey or sugar levels to create a balanced sweet-savory profile that suits your palate.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to control salt content and make the dish more diet-friendly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg