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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.
Watch the How-To Reel
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 post was originally published on July 22, 2021
This is absolutely delicious. It was a huge hit. Thanks for the recipe. The coconut rice instructions were perfect. I will be making this all spring and summer long!
Thanks so much, Emma So glad to hear this recipe turned out nicely for you:) Thanks for making it!
Started making this about a year ago and it is in our weekly rotation!! Just absolutely the best!!! We follow the recipe as it is and it ALWAYS comes out delicious!!
Hey Cora,
Happy Monday! So glad to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it and your comment!!
Can this be made in a rice cooker?
Hi Linda,
So sorry, I have never worked with a rice cooker, but you could certainly give it a try! Please let me know if I can help in any other way! xx
So delicious. Loved it. I loved the rice cooked in coconut milk. Pineapple salsa so good! Will make this again. My family loved it.
Love to hear this, Mary Helen! Thanks a lot for making this recipe and your feedback! Have a wonderful week! xxT
Absolutely delicious, I have made this 3-4 times as written. My son would prefer it with plain rice, but the rest of us (3 people) love the coconut rice. I read some of the reviews and look forward to trying it with chicken thighs. It takes me more than 30 minutes though, I guess I chop slow. 🙂
Hey Nicole,
Yay! Love to hear this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it! Have the best weekend:) x
This is one of our favorite recipes! We love Asian cuisine and this fits the bill!
Hi Amanda,
Awesome! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, so glad to hear it was a hit!🎄🎁☃️ xxT
Made this tonight and it was delicious! Clean plates all round. I used chicken thighs instead of breast as I find them juicier and more flavoursome. The salsa is such a great addition that takes it from simple to fancy. I disagree with the comments about too many flavours, I thought they complimented each other perfectly and really packed a punch!
Hey Lauren,
Happy Sunday!🍂🍁 Thanks a lot for trying this recipe and your comment, love to hear it turned out well! x
It did not turn out at all like the picture. It was okay. But I won’t be making it again
Hi Schari,
Thanks for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback, so sorry to hear you didn’t love it. If there is anything specific that I can help with, please let me know! xT
Only made the chicken, so can’t speak to the other elements, but the chicken is DELISH!! Thank you for a simple and absolutely yummy recipe.
Hey Dianne,
Wonderful! So glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it! xT
It’s so simple and delicious 🤤
Hey Carrie,
Thank you so much! I am so glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe and appreciate you giving it a try! Xx
This is plainly awful. Too many disconjointed flavors. Reactions from my guests ranged from “no… Just no” to actual gagging.
Hi Bob,
Thanks for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback, so sorry to hear it was so awful! xx
I have no idea how anyone can say this recipe is awful. We have made it 20+ times and for multiple people and they always say how delicious it is. It’s seriously the best recipe ever.
Thanks so much, Karli:) Love to hear this!!
I like the pineapple salsa in small pieces so it blends well with the chicken.
Absolutely delicious 😋
Hey Carrie,
Awesome!! So glad to hear that you enjoyed this recipe, I appreciate you making it! Happy Monday! xx
I made this last night and it was fantastic! I let the chicken marinate for about 4 hours and it came out so tender and full of flavor! I also decided to grill the pineapple based on comments I read below and it took everything to a whole new level. This recipe will be in rotation moving forward. And you were right, coconut rice is a game changer!
Hey Erin,
Happy Sunday!! I appreciate you trying this recipe and your feedback, so glad to hear it turned out nicely for you! xx
I did not care for this one. I think maybe it would have been better to cook the pineapple and jalapeño. The uncooked pineapple made the dish taste bitter to me.
Hi Tanya,
Thanks for trying this dish and sharing your feedback, sorry to hear it was not enjoyed! xT
Incredible!
Thanks so much, Kaitlyn!!