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Pineapple Chicken

Pineapple Chicken

Pineapple Chicken is a vibrant, sweet, and savory dish combining juicy chicken pieces with succulent pineapple chunks and a tangy, glossy sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this colorful recipe offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it ideal for quick weeknight dinners, meal prep, or anytime you want an impressive yet fuss-free meal.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Protein

  • Chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-size pieces (about 1 lb)

Fruits and Vegetables

  • Canned pineapple chunks, drained with some juice reserved (about 1 cup chunks + 2-3 tbsp juice)
  • Bell peppers, chopped (1 cup)
  • Green onions, sliced for garnish (2-3 stalks)
  • Garlic, minced (2 cloves)
  • Fresh ginger, minced (1 tbsp)

Sauce Ingredients

  • Soy sauce (3 tbsp) or tamari/coconut aminos for gluten-free
  • Brown sugar (2 tbsp)
  • Rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar (1 tbsp)
  • Cornstarch (1 tsp)
  • Reserved pineapple juice (2 tbsp)

Other

  • Vegetable or canola oil (2 tbsp) for cooking

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and chop bell peppers. Drain the pineapple chunks, reserving some juice to use in the sauce. Mince garlic and ginger finely to ensure even flavor distribution.
  2. Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, reserved pineapple juice, and cornstarch until smooth. This mixture will form a glossy glaze to coat the chicken.
  3. Cook the Chicken: Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until lightly golden and nearly cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
  4. Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables: In the same pan, add more oil if necessary and sauté garlic and ginger until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add bell peppers and cook until slightly tender yet still crisp.
  5. Combine Chicken and Pineapple: Return the cooked chicken to the pan along with pineapple chunks. Stir the sauce once more and pour it over the ingredients. Stir constantly as the sauce thickens and coats all the components beautifully.
  6. Final Touches: Once the sauce has thickened and the chicken is fully cooked, turn off the heat and sprinkle green onions on top. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Even Chicken Pieces: Cutting chicken uniformly ensures consistent cooking and juicy texture.
  • Fresh Aromatics: Using fresh garlic and ginger significantly boosts the depth of flavor.
  • Reserve Pineapple Juice: Use reserved juice to naturally sweeten the sauce without extra sugar.
  • Cook on Medium-High Heat: Helps achieve a nice sear locking in flavor for chicken and vegetables.
  • Thicken Sauce Slowly: Stir gently to prevent lumps and achieve a smooth, glossy finish.
  • Variations: Add chili flakes for heat, substitute tofu for a vegetarian option, or use low-sodium soy sauce to reduce salt.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Asian-inspired
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 12g
  • Sodium: 650mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 18g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 32g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg

Keywords: pineapple chicken, sweet and savory chicken, quick chicken recipe, gluten-free chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, easy chicken stir-fry