Classic Pineapple Chicken and Rice
Enjoy a taste of the tropics with this quick and easy pineapple chicken and rice. Golden brown chicken and sweet pineapple chunks are stir-fried with tender rice and a savory sauce for a satisfying meal.
Equipment
- small bowl
- large skillet or wok
- spatula
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 ½ cups fresh pineapple chunks (about half a medium pineapple) or canned pineapple chunks, drained
- 3 cups cold, day-old cooked white rice
For the Sauce
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp light brown sugar
Aromatics and Vegetables
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger grated
- ½ medium yellow onion diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
Garnish and Oil
- 2-3 green onions chopped, for garnish
- ¼ cup unsalted cashews toasted (optional)
- 2 tbsp neutral oil (like canola, vegetable, or peanut oil)
Instructions
Instructions
- Whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and brown sugar in a small bowl; set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Stir-fry the chicken for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through; remove and set aside.
- Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the pan. Stir-fry the diced onion, garlic, and grated ginger for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the diced red bell pepper and cook for 3-4 minutes until it starts to soften.
- Add the cold, day-old cooked rice to the pan. Break it up and stir-fry for 3-5 minutes until lightly toasted.
- Return the cooked chicken to the pan and pour the prepared sauce over the mixture, stirring to coat evenly.
- Gently fold in the pineapple chunks and cook for 1-2 minutes to warm them through.
- Remove from heat, stir in half of the chopped green onions, then transfer to serving bowls and garnish with the remaining green onions and toasted cashews.
Notes
For best results, use day-old rice as it tends to be drier and fries up better. Adjust the amount of brown sugar to your sweetness preference. If using canned pineapple, ensure it is well drained to avoid excess liquid.