Description
This Pineapple Chicken and Rice recipe combines tender juicy chicken thighs with fresh pineapple, aromatic jasmine rice, and vibrant bell peppers for a quick, one-pot meal bursting with tropical sweetness and savory flavors. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or anytime you want a flavorful, nutritious dish with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Protein
- Chicken Thighs, diced – 1 lb
Rice
- Jasmine Rice – 1 cup
Produce
- Fresh Pineapple, cut into chunks – 1 cup
- Bell Peppers, chopped – 1 cup
- Garlic, minced (natural) – 2 cloves
- Ginger, minced (natural) – 1 tablespoon
- Green Onions, sliced for garnish – 2
Liquids and Sauces
- Vegetarian Worcestershire Sauce (natural) – 1 tablespoon
- Apple Cider Vinegar – 1 tablespoon
- Water – 1 1/4 cups
- Olive Oil – 2 tablespoons
Instructions
- Prep Ingredients: Gather all your ingredients and prepare by dicing the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces, chopping the bell peppers, slicing the pineapple, and mincing the garlic and ginger. This ensures a smooth cooking process.
- Sauté Chicken and Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until golden brown. Then add the minced garlic and ginger and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add Vegetables and Pineapple: Stir in the chopped bell peppers and pineapple chunks, cooking briefly to soften and blend the flavors.
- Incorporate Rice and Liquids: Add the jasmine rice to the pan and stir to coat it with flavors. Pour in the water, apple cider vinegar, and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cook Until Rice is Tender: Cover the pan, reduce heat to low, and cook undisturbed for about 15 minutes or until the rice has absorbed all the liquid and is tender.
- Fluff and Garnish: Remove from heat, fluff the rice gently with a fork, and sprinkle sliced green onions on top before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh pineapple for best texture and natural sweetness.
- Don’t skip searing the chicken to build richer flavors.
- Adjust the amount of water based on your rice brand to avoid sogginess.
- Let the dish rest a few minutes after cooking for flavors to settle.
- For extra flavor, bone-in chicken thighs can be used; adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: pineapple chicken and rice, one pot meal, quick dinner, tropical chicken, jasmine rice, easy chicken recipe
