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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.
Made this tonight and despite forgetting to add the salsa, it was a huge hit. I saved a tablespoon or so of the sauce and cooked some pineapple in it for my vegetarian daughter, she loved it. Thank you!!
Hi Maggie,
Happy Friday! I am so excited that you enjoyed this recipe, thanks a lot for giving it a go! xT?
I made this today, and my chicken did not caramelize like yours at all. I eventually poured off most of the sauce, and it did sort of caramelize, but by that time, the chicken was overcooked. Would love it if you could share a video of how you got yours to look like that. Literally my first fail at an HBH recipe, I’m not dismayed, but I wanted to share this view for less experienced cooks. That’s a no from me on this recipe, although the salsa was delicious. But seriously just wondered how you for yours to look like that???
Hi Ann,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try and sharing your feedback, sorry to hear you had issues with the chicken. If needed, you can always remove the chicken to allow the sauce to caramelize longer which with then better coat the chicken. I hope this helps! xx
Crap. I added the sesame oil to the soy mixture. I’m cooking it now and can’t get the mixture to stick to the chicken. Suggestions? More sugar? Cornstarch??
Hi Amanda,
I would try some cornstarch! I hope this helps:) xx
So delicious just made this for lunch and it was so quick and easy
Hi Sarah!
Happy Wednesday!? Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad it was a tasty one! xxT
We thought this was really good, an interesting combination of flavors and textures. I guess I’m a slave to directions ;-), but I was confused about the avocado. It’s listed as part of the salsa and to be mixed in with the pineapple, jalapeno and shallot, but then it’s supposed to be put on top when the dish is served! I opted for the latter because of the pictures, but it might be a good idea to clarify that.
Hey Helen,
Thanks for your comment! So glad to hear that this dish was a winner, thanks a lot for giving it a go! I like to put the avocado in the salsa and any more that I may have for serving. ?xTieghan
The flavor of the marinade is very good – sweet and savory! Even my picky chicken eater loved it. I would recommend not marinating the chicken for longer than maybe an hour. The pineapple juice in the marinade will break down the chicken if you let it marinate for too long. I made the mistake of marinating for about 5 hours.
Hi Rose!
Thanks for your comment! So glad to hear that this dish was a winner, thanks a lot for giving it a go! ?xTieghan
I made this tonight and it was a huge hit with the whole family! My 2 year old ate it all and my picky 10 year old said it was excellent! (I was shocked!) I haven’t tried a recipe of yours I didn’t like I ordered 2 of your cookbooks just this week cannot wait for them to arrive!
Hi Patricia,
Amazing!! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it and sharing your feedback:) Thanks so much for ordering the cookbooks, I hope you love them! xx
While I have made the entire recipe, and really enjoyed it, the rice is now a go-to for many, many other dishes!
Hey Deb,
Amazing!! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it and sharing your feedback:)
I wish the rice was listed as step 2. I didn’t realize how long the rice takes to cook until I was about to cook the chicken. Had to put the chicken back in the fridge for a bit.
Hi there,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try and sharing your feedback:) xTieghan
This was soooo delicious I’ve used so many of your recipes and like them all! Thank you for sharing.
Hi Pam,
Happy Monday!! I am thrilled to hear this recipe was a hit, thanks for trying it out and sharing your review:)
I’ve made this three times for my kids! They LOVE it! I did accidentally pour all the sauce on the chicken instead of the third dictated in step one – in the future if I do this again (bc… mom brain happens) how can I adapt? Thanks so much!
Hey Mary,
Happy Sunday!! Thanks for your comment and making this recipe:) I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! LOL no worries, I would just leave it, I’m assuming it didn’t ruin the chicken any ways! xx
I’ve made this dish multiple times and it’s always delicious and a big hit in our home! Last time I didn’t have any pineapple juice so I substituted with orange juice and it actually tasted very similar! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Hey Chelsea,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! Have a great weekend:) xx
Obsessed!
Such a great balance of sweet and savory, and a perfect spice level for my taste. The pineapple salsa was so interesting and delish- thanks again for another staple recipe!
Hey Alix,
Happy Friday!! Thanks a lot for making this recipe and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
This is an incredible dish! I’m just not able to get that caramelization when using a cast iron pan. Any tips on how to caramelize? I followed the directions to a T!
Hey there,
Thanks so much for your comment! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it! I would say it needs to simmer longer:) xTieghan
This was excellent. I’ve made so many of your recipes. Thank you for sharing
Hi Pam,
Happy Monday!! I am thrilled to hear this recipe was a hit, thanks for trying it out and sharing your review:)
Delicious and simple to make. Great weeknight meal!
Hey there,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for trying this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xT