Description

Pineapple Chicken is a quick, vibrant, and flavorful dish that blends tender chicken with sweet, tangy pineapple chunks. Perfect for weeknight dinners or family meals, this recipe combines savory soy sauce and aromatic garlic with colorful bell peppers and fresh green onions to create a delightful balance of tastes and textures. Easy to customize and made with simple pantry staples, it offers a fresh and crowd-pleasing escape from everyday meals.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

1 pound chicken breasts or thighs, diced

Produce

1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, drained if canned)
1 cup bell peppers, chopped
3 green onions, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced

Pantry

2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
1 to 2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil

Instructions

Prepare the Ingredients: Dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Chop the bell peppers and slice the green onions. Drain canned pineapple chunks or cut fresh pineapple into cubes to ensure even and quick cooking.
Cook the Chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to keep it juicy.
Sauté Vegetables and Pineapple: In the same skillet, add a little more oil if needed. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Add the bell peppers and pineapple chunks, cooking 3 to 5 minutes until the peppers soften and the pineapple caramelizes slightly.
Combine and Sauce It Up: Return the chicken to the skillet. Stir in the soy sauce and honey or brown sugar, mixing well to coat all ingredients evenly. Let everything simmer for a few minutes until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld deliciously.
Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle sliced green onions over the dish for freshness. Serve hot over rice, noodles, or your favorite grain and enjoy your vibrant Pineapple Chicken.

Notes

Use fresh pineapple if possible for brighter, juicier flavor.
Don’t overcrowd the pan; cook chicken in batches if necessary for a good sear.
Adjust sweetness and saltiness by adding more honey or soy sauce gradually to taste.
Cut ingredients uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistency in each bite.
Simmer sauce longer for a thicker, stickier coating on the chicken if desired.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Sautéing
Cuisine: Asian-inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 320 kcal
Sugar: 12 g
Sodium: 600 mg
Fat: 10 g
Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 8.5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 20 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 30 g
Cholesterol: 75 mg

Keywords: pineapple chicken, quick dinner, easy recipe, sweet and savory, weeknight meal, gluten free, family friendly