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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.
Another recipe (made the chicken adobo) that my sauce didn’t carmelize like your picture. Just too saucy, any advice??
Great flavors tho, especially the salsa
Hey Janet,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a winner. Try simmering longer or adding cornstarch to the sauce. Have the best weekend:) xT
This is super delicious & it will be a regular in our rotation! I found that the sauce took a bit longer than 5 min to thicken for me, so if yours isn’t thickening, just keep stirring!
Hey Sarah,
I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! xxTieghan
So tasty! I added bell peppers and carrots in. Unfortunately the sauce didn’t thicken for me.
Hey Bee,
Wonderful! I really appreciate you giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
Can’t find your recipe for coconut rice…
Hi Lori,
The coconut rice recipe is listed above under recipes notes. Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
Hi!! Do you recommend cooking the coconut rice in a pot or rice cooker?!
Hi Alexandria,
I never use a rice cooker, so I would recommend the pot:) Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
If you’re thinking of trying this, you won’t be disappointed! This is literally my favorite dish. I make it every few weeks since I tried it months ago. The coconut rice adds a sweet hint to the flavorful chicken & the pineapple salsa is the perfect topping. Thank you for sharing, love your recipes so much!!!
Hey MyKaila,
I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! Happy Holidays! xT
Copied your dish! Everything me loved it. Great job.
Hey Mark,
Seriously amazing! Thanks a lot for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
Made this tonight and it was a hit! I’m glad I spent time reading through reviews because I learned “do not crowd” your pan was the key to getting blackened chicken. Also after reading concerns from others I decided to drain my chicken before cooking in my cast iron pan, took my chicken out when blackened, cooked down the sauce and added chicken back in to coat. It looked just like the photo! So happy with the way it came out, even my husband and stepson raved about it they had seconds. Pineapple salsa was delicious and the thyme was amazing addition. I used canned pineapple and juice from the can. Also made the coconut rice. Alone the rice wasn’t sweet but added with the chicken it just was soo delicious!! The blackened chicken helps make the dish and all the additions compliment it. A great recipe!
Hey Stacy,
Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Have the best day! xTieghan
This was amazing!! I’m sure it would be great with the coconut rice but I just used frozen brown rice from TJs. The fresh pineapple salsa was delicious and, even though I questioned the addition of the thyme it made the salsa! Fairly quick and not too many dishes. The whole family loved it!
Happy Thursday! So glad this recipe was enjoyed and thanks for making it! xTieghan
Delicious and easy enough for a weeknight! Made a few subs with coconut aminos and left out the sugar, it was still fantastic and full of flavor. The coconut rice is one of our go tos for “comfort” food!!
Thank you, the pineapple chicken with coconut rice was really delicious! The only thing I changed is that I used green onions instead of cilantro as a garnish. I would make this recipe again, it’s a keeper!
Hey Nicole! So glad you enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! 🙂 xTieghan
Thank you, the pineapple chicken with coconut rice was really delicious! The only thing I changed is that I used green onions instead of cilantro as a garnish. I would make this recipe again, it’s a keeper!
So glad you enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! 🙂 xTieghan
Easy and tasty meal! I cooked some red pepper and broccoli in coconut oil first. Then I removed that and cooked the chicken in a little more coconut oil. I added the vegetables back when I added the extra sauce. I usually never change your recipes but I needed to use up the veggies
Thank you for another wonderful meal!
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, so happy to hear you enjoyed it! xTieghan
Big thumbs up on this one! So delicious!
I want to make this for a friend who just had a baby but want to bulk up the meal a little. Any suggestions for what to serve with this? Thanks!