Easy Pineapple Chicken Recipe

Original Post: https://www.evolvingtable.com/easy-pineapple-chicken/

Easy 30-minute chicken dinner recipe in a wooden bowl with rice.

4.82 from 11 votes

Easy Pineapple Chicken Recipe

This Easy Pineapple Chicken Recipe is the best way to enjoy a takeout favorite at home. It is made in one pan with canned pineapple chunks, cubed chicken, vegetables, and a sticky-sweet yet slightly-tangy sauce.

Prep Time15

Cook Time15

Total Time30

Course: Dinner, lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Asian

Servings: people

Author: London Brazil

Ingredients

1 ¼ lb. chicken breasts cut into 1-inch cubes
1 Tbsp. avocado oil or olive oil
1 15-oz. can pineapple chunks divided
¼ cup pineapple juice
2 Tbsp. ketchup
1 Tbsp. Tamari sauce or gluten-free soy sauce
1 lime juice
1 Tbsp. coconut sugar or brown sugar
1 tsp. salt divided
2 bell peppers cut into bite-sized pieces
1 red onion cut into bite-sized pieces
1 Tbsp. avocado oil or olive oil
Green onions optional
Sesame seeds optional

Instructions

Pound chicken to 1-inch thick and cut into 1-inch cubes.
In a high-speed blender or food processor add ¾ cup pineapple chunks, pineapple juice, ketchup, Tamari sauce, lime juice, sugar, and ½ teaspoon salt. Blend for 20-30 seconds, or until smooth.
Add cubed chicken and ½ cup of pineapple marinade to a large bowl or a ziplock bag. Toss until chicken is well coated. Reserve remaining marinade.
Marinade chicken in refrigerator for 15-20 minutes.
While chicken is marinading, add 1 tablespoon of oil to a large skillet over medium heat with bell peppers and onion. Sauté for 5-7 minutes or until veggies are almost tender. Add ½ teaspoon salt and stir until well combined.
Remove veggies from skillet and add marinaded chicken cubes. Cook for 6-7 minutes or until chicken is almost cooked through.
Add reserved marinade, veggies, and remaining pineapple that has been finely diced to the skillet. Cook over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes, or until sauce begins to thicken.
Serve Pineapple Chicken over rice or cauliflower rice with green onions and sesame seeds. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

Nutrition facts are calculated without rice.
You can also substitute brown sugar or regular sugar for the coconut sugar.

Meal Prep and Storage

To Prep Ahead: If meal prepping this delicious dinner, you will want to cut your vegetables no more than 3 days in advance. Place them in a large ziplock bag or in a storage container until ready to cook. Blend pineapple sauce and prepare chicken breasts but do not combine them until at least 2-3 hours in advance. You do not want the chicken sitting in the acidic marinade for more than a few hours otherwise it will begin to get a mealy texture.

To Store: Place this leftover chicken dish in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.

To Freeze: Simply place it in a freezer-safe container with a layer of wax paper on top. Chill until it reaches refrigerator temperature and within 24 hours transfer it to the freezer. You can freeze this chicken for up to 3 to 4 months in a freezer-safe container.

To Reheat: Reheat the chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat, just long enough to warm it through. Keep it covered with a lid to help the dish retain heat and moisture.

Nutrition