Description
How to make tender chicken with sweet pineapple and fluffy rice that creates the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cups jasmine rice, rinsed until water runs clear
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 large sweet onion, diced
Pineapple Components
- 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice, reserved from fresh pineapple
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
Flavor Builders
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
Seasonings and Garnish
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 green onions, sliced thin
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil for cooking
Instructions
- Prep Ingredients: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper. Dice onion, mince garlic, grate ginger, and cut pineapple into chunks. Having everything ready makes cooking smooth and stress-free.
- Sear Chicken: Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken pieces until golden brown on all sides, about 6-8 minutes total. Don’t overcrowd the pan or chicken will steam instead of sear.
- Cook Aromatics: Add diced onion to the same pan and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and ginger, cooking until fragrant, about 30 seconds. The pan should smell absolutely amazing right now.
- Add Rice: Stir in rinsed rice, coating with the oil and aromatics for 2 minutes. This toasting step adds nutty flavor and helps prevent mushy rice. You’ll hear gentle sizzling sounds.
- Build Sauce: Pour in chicken broth, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and brown sugar. Stir well and bring to a boil. The liquid should just cover the rice completely.
- Simmer Everything: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Add pineapple chunks and juice, cover again, and cook 5 more minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with fork, taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve immediately while hot and aromatic.
Notes
- Rinse rice until water runs clear to prevent sticky, gummy texture.
- Add pineapple in last 5 minutes only to maintain chunks and prevent mushiness.
- Let dish rest covered 5 minutes after cooking for perfect rice texture.
- Store leftovers up to 4 days – flavors improve overnight.
- Reheat with splash of broth to prevent drying out.
- Toast rice 2 minutes before adding liquid for better flavor and texture.
Allergy Information: Soy
Nutrition
- Calories: 385 calories
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Protein: 28g