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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.
Delicious! This was super flavorful!!
Hey Keely,
Wonderful! I am thrilled to hear this recipe was enjoyed and truly appreciate you giving it a try. Have the best week! xTieghan
This was delicious! My husband and I substituted the ketchup for sriracha ketchup, but may even do gochujang in the future for days we want it really hot! We also added 1 tbsp to the marinade because it just felt like it needed a little something to us. We loved this so much! Loved the combination of flavors! ?
*added 1 tbsp sesame oil to the marinade
Hey Kaley,
Happy Sunday! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad that it was enjoyed!! ☀️xTieghan
Sauce never thickens. Watery mess.
Hey Zach,
So sorry to hear this. Was there anything you adjusted in the recipe? Please let me know how I can help. xTieghan
Oh my goodness, this was delicious! I marinated the chicken over night and made the salsa ahead of time. I didn’t have access to fresh pineapple so I used canned and drained well. I cooked it in a cast iron skillet and it was amazing. And don’t skip that coconut rice. Love your recipes!
Hey Ammiee,
Awesome! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! Have the best weekend:) xTieghan
This was a fantastic recipe. I normally wouldn’t pick something with pineapple but it was great! We all loved it. Coconut rice was fantastic too. I will make it again, for sure! I might add a blistered green bean next time for some veg.
Hey Amy,
Happy Friday! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe, I am delighted that it was enjoyed! Have a great weekend:) xTieghan
The longer description mentions that the remaining pineapple go on the chicken. The directions, however only show it going in the salsa. How much for salsa?
Hey Barbara,
The recipe calls for 2 cups of pineapple. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Made this for my Daughter’s fam tonight! It was great and they LOVED it! Just wish I’d doubled the marinade/sauce!
Hey Kate,
Happy Friday! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe, I am delighted that it was enjoyed! Have a great weekend:) xTieghan
“This is a keeper…..everything is delicious” as quoted by my husband. My chicken also did not caramelize but I used my cast iron stir fry skillet, crowded the pan and I don’t think the oil was hot enough. Next time I will use my regular cast iron. I added cashews to the dish. Love it.
Hey Laura,
Happy Friday! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe, I am delighted that it was enjoyed! Have a great weekend:) xTieghan
Loved…will definitely make again.
Hey Rachel,
Awesome!! I am so glad this recipe was enjoyed, thank you so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
So delicious and flavorful. But mine never carmelize like yours do in your recipes. What am I doing wrong???
Hey Tami,
Awesome!! I am so glad this recipe was enjoyed, thank you so much for giving it a try! I find my cast iron skillet helps to caramelize and it is key not to overcrowd your pan. xTieghan
Hi! If I was going to try this recipe with cauliflower instead of chicken, would you recommend to cook it in a skillet on the stove top or roast in the oven?
Thank you! Looking forward to trying this recipe!
Hi there! I would recommend cooking it on the stove! Enjoy! 🙂 xTieghan
Tasted delicous!
Hey Annie,
Happy Wednesday! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am thrilled that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
Yummy!! This was so fantastic. (I didn’t use a cast iron skillet) This was so saucy and the coconut rice was bomb! This makes some flavorful meal prep for lunches!
Hey Lauren,
Happy Wednesday! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am thrilled that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
This is absolutely delicious! I will definitely make this again.
Hey Elizabeth,
Wonderful! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and I appreciate you giving it a try! xTieghan
My chicken did not caramelize either, but I didn’t use a cast iron skillet. I might want to try again but with thighs so its less dry. The coconut rice was just perfect!
thanks!
Hey Kathy,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try! The cast iron really helps to caramelize my chicken, also it is key not to overcrowd your pan. I hope this helps for next time! xTieghan
Was hoping my chicken would come out more charred like your photo. Any tips?
Hey Jillian,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I find my cast iron skillet really hopes with this process, also it is important not to overcrowd your pan. I hope this helps for next time! xTieghan
I’ve made this a few times and it’s made me happy each time. Super easy and delicious. My kids loved it. Definitely need to put the rice on first (didn’t see a reminder in the recipe steps).
Hey Stephanie,
Wonderful! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and I appreciate you giving it a try! xTieghan
Delicious and flavorful! Will be making again ☺️
Hey Sonia,
Wonderful! Thanks a bunch for giving this recipe a try, I am thrilled that it was enjoyed! Have a great weekend:) xTieghan
All I can say is WOW! This recipe was so good! It’s a perfect balance of sweet and savory. I prepped everything the night before and let the chicken marinade overnight. It was so easy to make for dinner the next night and it was a big hit. My chicken took a bit longer to caramelized but it was worth the wait. The coconut rice was outstanding and the pineapple salsa was delicious. I’m already looking forward to making this again. Thank you for such a yummy recipe. It is definitely going to become a regular meal at our house.
Hey Leann,
Wonderful! Thanks a bunch for giving this recipe a try, I am thrilled that it was enjoyed! Have a great weekend:) xTieghan
Thank you so much for this recipe! My picky kids liked it and so did their friend who unexpectedly dropped by for dinner. I actually tried a vegetarian version substituting you and it wasn’t nearly as good. Any ideas for a better substitute? Or should I just let it marinate longer?
Thanks!
Hey Alicia,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try! Sorry what did you use as your vegetarian substitute? Let me know how I can help! xTieghan
Sorry- my phone autocorrected what I wrote. I tried a firm tofu version (the original chicken was great). Thanks!
Hey Alicia,
Thank you so much for giving this recipe a try, love to hear that it was enjoyed! Have the best week:) xTieghan