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Delicious Pineapple Chicken And Rice is shown as a featured image, ready to be enjoyed.

Perfect Pineapple Chicken and Rice

This recipe delivers restaurant-quality Pineapple Chicken and Rice with a balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. The key is to properly marinate the chicken, create a balanced sauce, and cook the rice to fluffy perfection.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Calories: 600

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup pineapple chunks fresh or canned, drained
  • 1/2 cup pineapple juice from the can, if using canned
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1/2 tsp ginger, grated
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 cups long-grain white rice
  • 4 cups water
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • Chopped green onions optional garnish
  • Sesame seeds optional garnish
  • Red pepper flakes optional garnish

Equipment

  • Medium bowl
  • Whisk
  • Large skillet or wok
  • Medium saucepan
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Fork
  • Cutting board
  • Knife

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Rice: Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, combine the rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
  2. Marinate the Chicken: In a medium bowl, combine the chicken cubes with soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and cornstarch. Toss to coat evenly and let marinate for at least 15 minutes (or up to 1 hour in the refrigerator).
  3. Make the Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the pineapple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, rice vinegar, cornstarch, ginger, and garlic. Set aside.
  4. Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through (about 6-8 minutes).
  5. Combine and Simmer: Pour the sauce over the cooked chicken. Add the pineapple chunks. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce has thickened (about 2-3 minutes).
  6. Serve: Serve the Pineapple Chicken over the cooked rice. Garnish with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, and red pepper flakes, if desired.

Notes

For best results, do not marinate the chicken for longer than 1 hour. Taste the sauce and adjust the amount of brown sugar or rice vinegar to achieve the desired sweetness and tanginess. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave.