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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.

30 Minute Pineapple Chicken with Coconut Rice | halfbakedharvest.com

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.

30 Minute Pineapple Chicken with Coconut Rice | halfbakedharvest.com

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.

30 Minute Pineapple Chicken with Coconut Rice | halfbakedharvest.com

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.

30 Minute Pineapple Chicken with Coconut Rice | halfbakedharvest.com

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!

30 Minute Pineapple Chicken with Coconut Rice | halfbakedharvest.com

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

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
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.

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.
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30 Minute Pineapple Chicken with Coconut Rice | halfbakedharvest.com

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I made this tonight and it was a hit with everyone, including my 1.5 and 6 year old daughters! My husband said “Can you make this every week? Actually, every night?” A new staple in the rotation, thanks for the excellent recipe!

    1. Hey Jen,
      Wonderful! Thanks so much for making this dish, I am so glad to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan

    1. Hey Marie,
      Wonderful! Thanks so much for making this dish, I am so glad to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan

  2. 5 stars
    Amazing combination of different flavors! Sooo good! I have a soy allergy so I used coconut aminos. The coconut rice is outstanding. Going to add to our dinner rotation! Thanks for the great recipe 🙂

    1. Hey Linds,
      Wonderful! Thanks so much for making this dish, I am so glad to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan

  3. Chicken is marinating, salsa is ready and I cannot wait to try this dish! I love everything I’ve made from your webpage! I think this will be a family favorite.

  4. 5 stars
    So yummy! And I didn’t even add all the extras the recipe called for! Basically made the rice, marinated the chicken, and then topped with fresh pineapple. Just didn’t have the time or ingredients to make the complete salsa and didn’t have fresh cilantro, but I can only imagine how those flavors would have elevated the dish! All of our kids loved this meal too (just used a touch of the red pepper flakes so it wouldn’t be too spicy). I’m looking forward to making this again with ALL the ingredients but I will also be adding my “simple version” to our rotation often!
    Also, made the coconut rice, which was so easy!!

    1. Hey Madeline,
      Happy Monday! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a try! xxTieghan

    1. Hey Christine,
      Happy Monday! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a try! xxTieghan

  5. Ahh the coconut rice (coconut milk) isn’t included in the ingredients so I missed it! I’m sure it will be delicious anyway, thank you!

  6. 5 stars
    This was absolutely delicious! I only had like a teaspoon of soy sauce so I subbed in Worcestershire sauce instead and it was still yummy!

    1. Hey Ashley,
      Happy Sunday! It’s so great to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, I appreciate you taking the time to make it! xTieghan

  7. 5 stars
    Easy to make, delicious! The chicken was perfectly carmelized and the pineapple salsa went well with this dish.

    1. Hey Therese,
      Happy Friday! So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a go! xTieghan

  8. 5 stars
    Tieghan. I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again. You have become the only place I turn to for recipes and ideas. Thank you for you fantastic palate and site.
    This recipe was delicious. My only comment. You say the chicken can marinate overnight. Won’t the acidic pineapple juice “cook” the chicken and make it mealy if it marinates that long?

    1. Hey Mark,
      Happy Friday! So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a go! That really shouldn’t be an issue here:) xTieghan

  9. 5 stars
    Just made this, and both my husband and I loved it. All the herbs! ? We are going to try mixing the salsa in the sauce next time.

    1. Hey there,
      Happy Friday! So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a go! xTieghan

    2. 3 stars
      I seem to struggle with Asian chicken dishes just not living up to my expectations. The dish was okay. Just won’t save it to make again. I still love trying new recipes and will continue to try tons of yours. Thank you Tieghan!

      1. Hey Melissa,
        Sorry you did not enjoy this recipe, please let me know if I can help in anyway for next time! xTieghan

  10. Can the rice be cooked in a rice steamer?
    If so, any changes?
    I am terrible at making rice on the stove.
    Thanks

    1. Hey Susie,
      Sorry, I have never used a rice cooker, so I am unsure of those results. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try! xTieghan

    2. I make coconut rice (this recipe from Half Baked Harvest: Hawaiian Hula Pork Fajitas with Pineapple Slaw + Coconut Rice) in the rice cooker and it works great!
      I find it is best to mix it up right before starting the cooker rather than setting it up ahead on a timer as the coconut milk tends to settle.

  11. 5 stars
    This was soooo good!! Marinated it all day and the flavor of the chicken was insane. I tweaked a little and cooked the chicken in two batches so I didn’t overcrowd the pan and then removed chicken and added/reduced the sauce down before adding the chicken back in to achieve the sticky effect you had. The coconut rice and salsa were perfect compliments. Def adding to our rotation!

    1. Hey Annie,
      Happy Friday! So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a go! xTieghan

    1. Hey Karen,
      Wonderful! Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear that it was enjoyed! xxTieghan

  12. 5 stars
    Another winner!! Thank you so much for this! You’ve introduced me to how amazing fresh thyme is and how versatile it is. This I would 100% make again!

    1. Hey Autumn,
      Wonderful! Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear that it was enjoyed! xxTieghan