Description
Tropical “pineapple chicken rice” brings sweet-savory paradise to dinner tables with its zesty Caribbean-inspired flavors. Juicy chicken, caramelized pineapple chunks, and fragrant rice blend into one irresistible dish you cannot resist trying tonight.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins and Fruits:
- 2 lbs chicken breast
- 1 whole pineapple
Grains and Base:
- 3 cups white rice
- 1/2 cup jasmine rice
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Dice chicken breasts into uniform bite-sized cubes, ensuring even cooking and tender meat texture.
- Peel and core the pineapple, chopping into small chunks, reserving some juice for additional flavor enhancement.
- Mince garlic cloves finely to release their aromatic essence and maximize flavor distribution.
- Combine white and jasmine rice in a rice cooker or pot, rinsing thoroughly to remove excess starch and achieve fluffy results.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, allowing it to shimmer before adding chicken pieces.
- Sauté chicken cubes until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Add minced garlic to the skillet, stirring quickly to prevent scorching and release its fragrant notes.
- Pour soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and chicken broth into the skillet, creating a glossy and flavorful sauce.
- Incorporate pineapple chunks, allowing them to caramelize slightly and infuse the dish with sweet-tangy undertones.
- Season with salt and black pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
- Fold the prepared rice into the chicken-pineapple mixture, ensuring every grain is coated with the vibrant sauce.
- Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes to marry the flavors and create a cohesive, mouthwatering dish.
- Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and intensify.
Notes
- Customize the chicken’s protein by substituting with tofu, shrimp, or plant-based alternatives for diverse dietary needs.
- Balance the sauce’s sweetness by adjusting honey quantity or using low-sugar substitutes like stevia for health-conscious individuals.
- Enhance nutritional value by adding colorful vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or snap peas for extra texture and vitamins.
- Elevate presentation and flavor by garnishing with fresh green onions, sesame seeds, or chopped cilantro for a vibrant finishing touch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg