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A simple summery 30 Minute Pineapple Chicken with Coconut Rice. Quick-cooking chicken tossed in a sweet and salty pineapple soy sauce marinade with pineapple juice, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. Chili flakes are added for a slight spicy kick, but the coconut rice balances everything out. Serve this tropical pineapple chicken with plenty of fresh pineapple salsa and creamy avocado. Every bite is spicy-sweet, and the salsa on top adds a juicy, summery bite. It’s delicious, healthy, and so darn easy. Perfect for busy weeknights.
This is one of those recipes where I just love how easily it came together and how fresh it tastes. I know summer is all about stone fruit, berries and tomatoes, but pineapple and mangos often get overlooked. And lets be real, we all know I have a real sweet spot for fresh pineapple.
I love snacking on it and I love using it in savory dishes to create layers of flavor and color within my recipes.
And you know? I love cooking with what I have on hand, which is exactly what I did with this chicken. It started out as more of a Hawaiian style pineapple chicken, but it ended up have a bit of a Jamaican flair to it.
It’s unusual and unique, but so delicious and I’m pretty excited with how this turned out. It’s easy, made in one skillet, and just so flavorful. And then there’s coconut rice too…all the (good) things I love.
The process
First up, the sauce. It’s where all the flavor lies within this recipe. It’s a pineapple and soy sauce base with brown sugar and ketchup for sweetness (very Hawaiian). Plus garlic, shallots, and ginger, for some tang and kick. I also added some chili flakes for a little bit of spicy heat.
Next, toss the chicken with a little of the sauce, then let the chicken marinate for a few minutes. If time allows, you can marinate the chicken overnight for encore flavor…plus more tender pieces of chicken too.
While the chicken marinates, I like to toss together the salsa. This is where the Jamaican flair comes into play. I toss fresh pineapple chunks with lime juice, shallots, jalapeño, and some fresh thyme too.
The thyme might sound odd, but it’s heavily used in Jamaican jerk dishes that often feature fresh pineapple. I love the switch from the usual cilantro to the thyme. Its such a nice light flavor that really pairs so wonderfully with the pineapple and the salty-sweet chicken.
Before you begin with the chicken, I start a quick batch of coconut rice. It’s my absolute favorite side dish with this type of chicken dinner. Creamy with a very subtle sweetness and coconut flavor.
Now, pan-fry the chicken until both sides have cooked through. Then pour in the remaining pineapple soy sauce mix, and let it simmer down and caramelize over the chicken. Once the chicken is cooked. Stir in some fresh cilantro.
Now, put it all together
Serve the chicken over the coconut rice. Then grab that salsa and spoon it over the chicken. Add fresh diced avocado and a squeeze of lime juice.
And you guys…that’s it. This takes 30 minutes to make and it’s not only delicious but fun too!
Looking for other quick summer dinners? Here are some favorites:
Rosemary Peach Chicken in White Wine Pan Sauce
Greek Watermelon Feta Salad with Basil Vinaigrette
3 Cheese Zucchini “Ravioli” with Roasted Tomato Basil Sauce
Lastly, if you make this 30 Minute Pineapple Chicken with Coconut Rice, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
30 Minute Pineapple Chicken with Coconut Rice
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 361 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces
- 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/3 cup pineapple juice
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 shallot, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil, or extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Pineapple Salsa
Instructions
- 1. In a glass jar, whisk together the soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, ketchup, shallots, garlic, ginger, and a pinch of chili flakes. Pour 1/3 of the sauce over the chicken and let sit 15 minutes or up to overnight in the fridge. 2. Meanwhile, make the salsa: combine all ingredients in bowl. 3. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, cook 5 minutes until cooked through on both sides. Reduce the heat to medium and pour in the remaining soy sauce mix. Cook until the sauce glazes the chicken and begins to caramelize, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the cilantro. 4. Serve the chicken over rice and spoon the salsa over the chicken. Sprinkle on the diced avocado and a squeeze of lime.
Notes
Coconut Rice: Combine 1 (14 ounce) can coconut milk and 1/2 cup water in a medium pot. Bring to a low boil. Add 1 cup basmati rice and a pinch of salt. Stir to combine, cover, then turn the heat down to the lowest setting possible. Allow the rice to cook 10 minutes on low, then turn the heat off completely and let the rice sit, covered for another 15-20 minutes (don't take any peeks inside!). Remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork.
I love this dish and have made it many times!! My only problem is that the soy/ pineapple mix never seems to caramelize on the chicken the way it’s shown in the recipe. Tends to be a bit more liquidy… any tips??
Hey Nina,
Fantastic!! Thanks so much for making this recipe often and your comment, so glad it is always a winner:) You could do a cornstarch slurry to get the sauce to thicken and caramelize a bit more. I hope this helps! xT
I opted for salmon over chicken and it’s incredible!!
Happy Friday! Thank you for trying out this recipe, and have a great weekend! xT
This was so delicious and so easy! Very very good. My kids loved it too!
Thank you so much Michaela! xT
Such a beautiful recipe, loved everything about it
Thank you so much Linda! xT
Absolutely hands down FANTASTIC!! thank you Tiegan!
Love to hear that!! Thank you so much for giving the recipe a try! xT
My 18 yr old daughter and a visiting friend made this one night when I was out…she was sending me pics and I was so impressed!! I ate leftovers twice and it was AMAZING!! So delicious and so simple, the flavors are perfect, and it makes my mom-heart happy knowing they will have fun healthy meals to cook when they head back to college this fall xxoo.
Hi there! Thank you so much for trying out the recipe! So glad you enjoyed it! xT
Really great! I asked my soon-to-be kindergartener what he wanted the night before school started. He picked pineapple chicken. I think that says it all!
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try! So happy to hear it was enjoyed! Tell your kindergartener hello and have an awesome school year! xT
Such a good recipe! But. . . My coconut rice did not turn out. I followed directions exactly- can of Vic it milk- 1/2 cup water- low boil, added 1 cup basmati rice and pinch of salt- turned on low, cooked 10 min w/ lid on, After 10 min, turned off heat and key sit fir 20 min/ no peeking:). After all of that- lots of unabsorbed liquid and uncooked rice.
What did I do wrong?
Oh no I’m so sorry about that! Sometimes it cooks unevenly when the milk and water aren’t fully incorporated! So I would make sure you stir really well! xT
I don’t usually comment on your recipes (though I love your creations) but I’m currently eating this. It’s AMAZING my taste buds are so dang happy. Other humans reading this…MAKE THIS EXACTLY AS IS INSTRUCTED. So good. I wish I made more…drat.
Thanks soooo much Brittanie! xT
This is actually my 10 year old son favourite meal. It is what he asks to eat on his birthday versus going out. I have to double the recipe as he can eat so much of it.
This was absolutely delicious….added 1/4 c. Of unsweetened coconut flakes to the coconut rice- yum! All the prep definitely took longer than 30 minutes!!
Hey Joyce! Thank you for the feedback! I really appreciate it! xT
I love this recipe! But my chicken and sauce never caramelizes like your picture. It’s super liquify. Any suggestions??
Hi Ashley! I would suggest cooking a little bit longer and letting the sauce thicken! xT
Super yummy. Everyone enjoyed it!!!
Thank you Denise! xT