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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.
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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
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
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
10 stars! Wow, I had no idea it would have so much flavor! The chicken, the rice, and the pineapple salsa compliment each other so well in each bite… you just can’t stop eating it. You knocked it out of the park with this one.
Hey Cristina,
Happy Friday!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it!! ☀️xxT
So, what if I accidently marinated the chicken in all the sauce. I had 2 toddlers helping me and missed the 1/3 sauce part. Could I use some of the remaining juice that the chicken is marinating in to glaze it with after the 5 minute cooking period?
Hey Rachel,
Yes, as long as you boil the sauce:) I hope you love the recipe, let me know how it turns out! xx
Oh my GOODNESS! I could drink this pineapple soy sauce straight, it’s that delicious! Super easy, and a huge hit with my family. My five year old finished her portion, then creeped her hand to the bowl of pineapple avocado salsa and dumped half of it on her plate. LOL! I’d say she’s a fan. 100% making this again, PERFECT spring/summer recipe!
Hey Amber,
Thanks so much for your feedback! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it! xTieghan
WHOA this is so good!!! i have made a lot of your recipes and they are all winners but this one is maybe my favorite. i could drink the sauce — it made my chicken SO succulent and delicious. my kids inhaled this (i left out the jalapeno). we all wanted to lick our plates, but only a few of us did 😉
Hey Melissa,
That’s great!! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks so much for making it! xxT
Haha!! Just read your comment after I posted mine, SAME!! I wanted to lick my plate!! And my kids loved it. Huge win!
I just made this tonight and it was SOO good. I think next time I want to double the sauce. My husband asked me to add this to the weekly dinner rotation and my 3 year old LOVED the coconut rice.
Hi Lauren,
I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it!!☀️ xTieghan
New follower! ?♀️I’m obsessed with your recipes and tried this tonight and loved it!
A few questions about your recipes-
Do you like how much is in each serving? I couldn’t see it.
Do you list: protein, carbs and fat?
Hey Anna,
Sorry, I do not have exact serving sizes listed and only the estimated calorie count per recipe. Thanks for following along!! xTieghan
Delish! This is my new favorite recipe and it turned out perfectly. I can’t wait to make it again!
Hi Bridget,
Happy Wednesday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a go!! ☘️Tieghan
It was good, but I was unable to get my sauce to caramelize. I have other chicken recipes of yours that I love more, but I’m glad I tried this as I had leftover pineapple that needed to be used. I found it to be a bit too acidic, but not everything can be “knocked out of the park”!
Hey Laura,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback! Love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
Delicious! Except i couldn’t get my sauce to thicken and caramelize! I did use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce, and doubled the recipe for more people and leftovers. Maybe that was it?
Hey Chelsea,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try!! Since you doubled the recipe is might take longer for the sauce to thicken, sounds like it just needed to simmer longer. I hope this helps for next time! xTieghan
My favorite recipe from Tieghan so far! I love the unexpectedly delicious combo of the pineapple and thyme. And don’t sleep on the coconut rice! I crave that now! I make my coconut rice in the instapot with the same ratios included here and it turns out great. Only note is that it takes longer than five minutes generally for the sauce to reduce, but it’s worth the wait! It’s a very quick and doable recipe!
Hey Madeline,
Fantastic!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! Have the best weekend:) xT
Omg Tieghan this one is amazing and super easy!! Adding to my rotating menu!
Hi Krista,
Awesome!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear that it was enjoyed!! xx
Is the rice supposed to end up like stinky rice? I made this several months ago n the rice cooker and the rice came out dry and fluffy. Not sure if I opted to use equal parts rice and half coconut milk half water. Either way delicious, easy and quick recipe. Thanks again !
Hey Teresa,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try, it should definitely be fluffy rice, not sticky:) xTieghan
Great weeknight and meal prep recipe, I added a can of black beans to bulk it up a little bit and served with avocado slices.
Hey Jessica,
Happy Wednesday!! So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! xTieghan
DELICIOUS!!! I made this for my family’s Valentine’s dinner and it was a hit!
The recipe is very easy and the flavors come through in every bite.
I cooked the chicken a little longer than instructed to get a strong caramelization on the chicken.
Hey Carol,
Awesome!! Thanks for giving the recipe a try, I love to hear that it was a hit!! xxT
Per my father-in-law, a professional chef: “You can make that one any time you’d like!!”
This recipe was a total winner and will be made again and again. The best part is that I was able to make it using pantry staples. And the coconut rice?? I could eat that every day.
Hey Jenna,
LOL fantastic!! Love hearing that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it:) Have the best day! xxT