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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.
This is a banger. I love it so much and have it probably once a month and it never misses. I omit the thyme because I hate pulling thyme and still think it’s so good! Seems like it takes forever to prepare but once it’s marinated it literally takes 30 mins. I cook the chicken for longer than recipe says so it can really caramelize.
Hey Mollie,
So glad to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks for giving it a try! Happy New Year! xT
Delicious! Only choose this recipe because we had leftover pineapple from a different dinner and I was not disappointed!
I did make a few minor adaptations to our personal tastes and dietary needs- I roasted the pineapple in the toaster oven (I cannot eat raw pineapple) and sauteed the shallot with jalapeno before assembling the salsa. We did not have avocado so that was omitted.
I also removed the chicken from the skillet prior to adding the sauce and cooked up some green beans, onions, and sweet peppers then returned the chicken and added the sauce!
Overall a standout recipe, that I will be making again in the future!
Hey Jules,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you and appreciate you giving it a try! Thanks for sharing what worked well for you! xT
Delicious and fairly easy. Now My 4 year old asks for this all the time!
Hey Olivia,
Happy Friday!!☃️ I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it and your comment! xT
My chicken did not end up like yours, all caramelized. it seemed like I had too much liquid. I needed up pulling out the chicken to reduce the sauce and thicken it. A little disappointed, though it did taste good.
Hi Rebecca,
Thanks for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, so sorry to hear you didn’t love it! Sounds like the sauce just needed to simmer a bit longer! I hope this helps! xx
Super delicious! Adding it to my favs!
Hey Chris,
Fantastic!! 🍁🍂 I am delighted to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks so much for making it and sharing your review! xT
The sauce never caramelized despite removing the chicken and boiling it over high heat. It was also tasteless so my husband who is a chef rescued it. I would not make this again.
The rice is good – we make this a lot and it comes out perfectly every time but we add lime juice and cilantro to it.
Hi Ciare,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, so sorry to hear it was not enjoyed! Please let me know if there is anything that I can help with! xT
I was so so so hoping this was going to be amazing based on the reviews but I must have done something wrong with the rice! It took sooooo long to cook I ended up giving up and eating partly crunchy but creamy/wet rice and by that time my chicken was a kind of dry. BUT the flavour was yum yum yum. I would like to try again but perhaps start the rice way beforehand? Not sure what went wrong with that
Hey Rochelle,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, so sorry to hear about the rice! What kind of rice did you use? Was there anything you may have adjusted in the recipe? I need a little more info to better help you:) xx
Any ideas on how to transfer this over to a vegan meal? My partner would adore this but can’t eat meat. Cauliflower? Mushrooms? Its one of my favorite go to meals I always make a huge batch with extra sauce!
Hey Sabrina,
So glad to hear you enjoy this recipe! Cauliflower would be a great idea! Let me know how it turns out:) xT
I made this for dinner tonight and found it to be easy and REALLY tasty! Definitely a recipe to keep!
Hey Rebecca,
Happy Wednesday!👻 I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and appreciate you giving it a try and sharing your feedback! xx
This dish is beyond delicious! I make a lot of oriental dishes but this Omgoodness. I usually don’t like sweet so I did add way more pepper flakes and a touch of cayenne and Jalepenos. Took it to an amazing level .. just make it!
Hi Randi,
Amazing!! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks so much for trying it out! xT🍂
I could not get the sauce to carmelize. Any idea of what went wrong?
Hi Elizabeth,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try! Sounds like you just needs to allow the sauce to simmer a bit longer:) Happy Friday!
This is one of the best chicken recipes I have ever tried!! I can not give it enough stars!! Cooking the rice in the coconut milk was perfect. I had leftovers and the rice was not hard it was still moist and silky 🙂
Thanks for these recipes. I think I am up to trying one a week!!
Vickie
Hey Vickie,
Happy Wednesday! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I am thrilled to hear that it was a winner! Thanks for trying so many recipes! xTieghan
This did not take 20 mins for me to prep! Probably about an hour. But OMG it was so good when I tasted it. I wasn’t expecting for it to be so delicious. Coconut rice recipe was perfect as well.
Hi Mollie,
Amazing!! Thanks a lot for trying this dish and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it was tasty for you! Sorry this took longer than expected! xT
One word………..AMAZING!?
Hey Shelda,
Happy Monday!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks for making it:) xTieghan
This was so good! I threw in some carrots and peanuts because they were handy. I struggle with rice but the coconut rice turned out perfectly.
Hey Rachel,
Happy Wednesday! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was a winner! xx
Great meal and really loved the marinade!
Hey Rachel,
Happy Tuesday! So glad to hear that you enjoyed this dish, thanks for making it! xTieghan