Description
This Pineapple Chicken is a quick, family-friendly recipe that balances the sweetness of pineapple with savory soy, garlic, and ginger flavors—all in one skillet. Perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to switch up your usual chicken dish, it’s ready in under 40 minutes and tastes just like takeout, only fresher.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 cup canned pineapple chunks (reserve ½ cup juice)
- ½ cup pineapple juice (from the can)
- ¼ cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (for sauce)
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped (optional)
- ½ onion, chopped (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped green onions or sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Toss the chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and a pinch of salt and pepper. This helps the chicken brown nicely and stay tender.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken in a single layer until golden and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté Veggies: In the same skillet, add more oil if needed. Sauté onions and bell peppers (if using) for 3–4 minutes until slightly tender.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar (or honey), garlic, ginger, and 1 teaspoon of cornstarch.
- Combine Everything: Return the chicken to the skillet. Add pineapple chunks and pour in the sauce. Stir and simmer for 4–5 minutes until the sauce thickens and everything is well coated.
- Serve: Serve hot over steamed rice, cauliflower rice, or noodles. Garnish with green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
Use fresh pineapple if you like, but be sure to add a bit of juice to balance the sauce. This dish is naturally sweet and savory, but feel free to add chili flakes or sriracha for a spicy kick. For a make-ahead version, prep the sauce and chicken separately, and cook when ready to serve.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 75mg