Description
Pineapple Chicken and Rice is a weeknight-friendly, crowd-pleasing dish that delivers bold sweet-and-savory flavor. Tender chicken browns perfectly, fluffy jasmine rice soaks up a glossy sauce, and juicy pineapple adds tropical brightness. Gluten-free and family-friendly, this skillet dinner comes together quickly for busy weeknights, meal boards, or school lunches, delivering comforting texture and balanced flavors in every bite. Perfect for meal prep, it reheats well and satisfies picky eaters.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, diced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup uncooked jasmine rice, rinsed
- 1 3/4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, drained)
- 1/4 cup gluten-free soy sauce or tamari
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Salt, to taste
- 2 green onions, sliced, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or deep pan over medium heat.
- Add diced chicken and cook until lightly browned on all sides.
- Stir in garlic and ginger and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add rice, chicken broth, soy sauce, peanut butter, honey, pepper, and salt. Stir until peanut butter is fully dissolved.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and cover.
- Simmer for 18-20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Gently fold in pineapple chunks and bell pepper.
- Cover and cook for 3-5 more minutes until heated through.
- Remove from heat, garnish with green onions, and serve warm.
Notes
- Gluten-free option with tamari or gluten-free soy sauce
- Can use fresh or canned pineapple; drain well
- Adjust sweetness with honey or maple syrup to taste
- Swap chicken for shrimp or tofu for variation
- Leftovers refrigerate well for up to 3 days
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 26 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 66 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 170 mg
Keywords: Pineapple Chicken and Rice, pineapple chicken, weeknight dinner, gluten-free recipe, easy skillet dinner, jasmine rice, chicken and rice with pineapple