Pineapple Chicken and Rice

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Introduction
Pineapple Chicken and Rice is a vibrant and tropical dish that combines tender chicken with sweet pineapple chunks, savory soy sauce, and fragrant rice. It’s a one-pan meal that’s easy to make, full of flavor, and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or meal prep.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce

For the Rice:

  • 1 cup white rice (uncooked)
  • 2 cups water or chicken broth (for extra flavor)
  • 1/2 cup pineapple juice (from the pineapple)

For the Pineapple Sauce:

  • 1/2 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, drained)
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
  • 1 tbsp water (if using cornstarch)

For Garnish:

  • Chopped green onions
  • Sesame seeds (optional)
  • Extra pineapple chunks (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Rice

  1. Rinse the rice under cold water to remove excess starch.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine the rice, water (or chicken broth), and pineapple juice.
  3. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
  4. Fluff the rice with a fork and set it aside.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

  1. While the rice cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the chicken pieces and season with salt, black pepper, ground ginger, and garlic powder.
  3. Cook the chicken for 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.

Step 3: Make the Pineapple Sauce

  1. In the same skillet, add the pineapple chunks, soy sauce, honey (or brown sugar), rice vinegar, and ground ginger.
  2. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine.
  3. If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix the cornstarch with water to make a slurry, then stir it into the sauce. Simmer for another 1-2 minutes until thickened.

Step 4: Combine and Cook

  1. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the pineapple sauce, stirring to coat the chicken evenly.
  2. Let the chicken and sauce cook together for 2-3 minutes to heat through and meld the flavors.

Step 5: Serve

  1. Serve the pineapple chicken over the cooked rice.
  2. Garnish with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, and extra pineapple chunks if desired.

Tips:

  • You can swap the chicken for shrimp or tofu for a different protein.
  • For a bit of heat, add a drizzle of sriracha or red pepper flakes to the sauce.
  • If you like your pineapple extra caramelized, sauté the chunks in the skillet for a couple of minutes before adding the sauce.

Pineapple Chicken and Rice is a flavorful and satisfying meal that’s perfect for a tropical-inspired dinner.

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