Description
Sweet and Savory Pineapple Chicken and Rice is a vibrant skillet-cooked dish combining tender chicken breasts with juicy pineapple chunks, aromatic spices, and colorful vegetables. This recipe features a flavorful sauce made from soy sauce, honey, ginger, and cinnamon, served over seasoned white rice and garnished with sesame seeds and fresh cilantro for a delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Vegetables and Garnish
- 1/2 cup bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, diced
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
Rice and Seasoning
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil: Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat to prepare for cooking the chicken.
- Cook the chicken breasts: Place the chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side until fully cooked and no longer pink inside.
- Rest the chicken: Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to rest, allowing juices to redistribute.
- Sauté garlic: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, enhancing the flavor base.
- Cook pineapple chunks: Add pineapple to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally to caramelize slightly.
- Mix sauce ingredients: Stir in soy sauce, honey, ground ginger, and cinnamon, blending the flavors evenly over the pineapple.
- Simmer the sauce: Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors together thoroughly.
- Dice the chicken: While the sauce simmers, cut the rested chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces for easy mixing.
- Combine chicken with sauce: Return the diced chicken to the skillet, stirring to coat it well with the pineapple sauce mixture.
- Add vegetables: Mix in diced bell pepper, red onion, and chopped green onions, ensuring everything is evenly distributed.
- Cook vegetables: Allow the mixture to cook an additional 3-4 minutes so the vegetables soften slightly but remain crisp.
- Season the rice: In a separate bowl, combine cooked white rice with lime juice, salt, and pepper, stirring to evenly season.
- Plate the rice: Serve the seasoned rice as a base on plates or bowls, ready for the main dish.
- Add chicken mixture: Spoon the pineapple chicken and vegetable mixture over the rice, creating a layered presentation.
- Garnish: Sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped cilantro on top for added flavor and color contrast.
- Serve immediately: Enjoy the dish fresh for the best taste and texture experience.
Notes
- Use fresh pineapple chunks for the best flavor, or canned pineapple drained well as a substitute.
- Adjust honey quantity for more or less sweetness according to taste.
- Cook rice ahead of time or use leftover cooked rice to save preparation time.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick if desired.
- Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
