Description
This Delicious Pineapple Chicken and Rice recipe combines tender marinated chicken breasts with flavorful pineapple-infused rice, creating a perfect balance of sweet and savory. Featuring a homemade marinade and a rich sauce made from pineapple juice and soy sauce, this one-pan dish is easy to prepare and ideal for a satisfying family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken and Marinade:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 400g), diced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ginger powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Rice and Sauce:
- 1 cup long-grain rice (white or jasmine)
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, drained)
- ½ cup pineapple juice (from the can or fresh)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ginger powder
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for a little heat)
For Garnishing:
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, garlic powder, ginger powder, and black pepper to create a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the diced chicken to the marinade and mix well to coat thoroughly. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes or up to 1 hour for deeper flavor infusion.
- Heat the Skillet: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, preparing it for cooking the chicken.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the marinated chicken to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Set Chicken Aside: Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set it aside to use later.
- Toast the Rice: In the same skillet, add a little more olive oil if needed, then add the uncooked rice. Toast for 1-2 minutes while stirring frequently to enhance its flavor.
- Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour in chicken broth, pineapple juice, soy sauce, honey, garlic powder, ginger powder, salt, and optional red pepper flakes, stirring well to combine everything evenly.
- Simmer the Rice: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet and let it simmer for 15 minutes or until the rice is fully cooked and has absorbed the liquid.
- Fluff the Rice: Once cooked, fluff the rice gently with a fork to separate the grains.
- Combine Chicken and Pineapple: Add the pineapple chunks and the cooked chicken back into the skillet with the rice.
- Finish Cooking: Stir everything together and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes so all the flavors meld beautifully.
- Garnish: Sprinkle the dish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds to add freshness and texture.
- Serve: Serve hot and enjoy this flavorful pineapple chicken and rice dish immediately.
Notes
- For more intense flavor, marinate the chicken for up to 1 hour instead of 15 minutes.
- The red pepper flakes are optional and can be adjusted based on your preferred spice level.
- Using fresh pineapple chunks will impart a brighter flavor, but canned drained pineapple works well too.
- If you prefer a gluten-free version, ensure the soy sauce used is gluten-free.
- You can substitute jasmine rice with any long-grain rice of your choice.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
