Description
Tropical paradise meets weeknight dinner with 30 Minute Pineapple Chicken, a zesty culinary journey blending sweet and savory flavors. Succulent chicken and caramelized pineapple nestle perfectly over fragrant coconut rice, offering you a quick escape to island-inspired comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 avocado
Sauce and Flavoring:
- 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/3 cup pineapple juice
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
- juice of 1 lime
Aromatics and Fresh Ingredients:
- 1 shallot
- 1/2 small shallot
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 jalapeño
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks
Instructions
- Craft a vibrant marinade by whisking soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, ketchup, shallots, garlic, ginger, and chili flakes in a glass jar. Drench chicken with one-third of the mixture and refrigerate for 15 minutes to overnight.
- Prepare fresh salsa by combining all ingredients in a mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution of components.
- Warm oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 5 minutes, ensuring thorough cooking on both sides. Lower temperature to medium, then pour remaining sauce, allowing it to glaze and caramelize for approximately 5 minutes.
- Remove skillet from heat and fold in fresh cilantro, coating chicken evenly.
- Plate chicken atop coconut rice, generously topping with prepared salsa.
- For coconut rice, merge coconut milk and water in a medium pot, bringing to a gentle boil. Introduce basmati rice and a pinch of salt, stirring carefully.
- Reduce heat to lowest setting, covering pot and allowing rice to simmer for 10 minutes. Turn off heat completely, letting rice rest, covered, for an additional 15-20 minutes without lifting lid.
- Fluff rice with a fork, creating light, separated grains. Garnish with diced avocado and a lime squeeze before serving.
Notes
- Marinate chicken overnight for deeper flavor infusion and more tender meat.
- Use fresh pineapple juice for brighter, more vibrant taste compared to canned alternatives.
- Adjust chili flakes based on heat preference, adding more for spicy lovers or reducing for mild palates.
- Swap chicken with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version that maintains similar marinade and cooking techniques.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 382 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg