Pineapple Chicken Rice Skillet (Printable Version)

Tender chicken with pineapple, bell peppers, and fluffy rice cooked together in a flavorful skillet dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces

→ Rice

02 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed

→ Vegetables & Fruit

03 - 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
04 - 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into strips
05 - 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
06 - 1 small yellow onion, diced
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 2 green onions, sliced for garnish

→ Sauce

09 - 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
10 - 1/4 cup pineapple juice
11 - 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
12 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
13 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
14 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Other

15 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil for sautéing
16 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
17 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water, optional for thickening

# Directions:

01 - Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned on all sides, approximately 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
02 - Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the skillet. Sauté onion and garlic for 2 minutes until fragrant. Add bell peppers and cook 3 to 4 minutes until slightly softened.
03 - Stir in rice and toast for 1 minute. Return the cooked chicken to the pan.
04 - Whisk together soy sauce, pineapple juice, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and black pepper in a bowl. Pour over chicken and vegetables.
05 - Add chicken broth and pineapple chunks. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 18 to 20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
06 - If desired, stir in cornstarch slurry and cook 1 to 2 minutes until thickened.
07 - Remove from heat. Fluff rice gently, garnish with sliced green onions, and serve hot.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one skillet, which means less cleanup and more time enjoying dinner with people who matter.
  • The sweet-savory balance makes even picky eaters genuinely excited about what's on their plate.
  • You can prep this in fifteen minutes and have a restaurant-quality meal without the stress or the bill.
02 -
  • Don't skip the rinsing step for rice—I learned this the hard way when I ended up with gluey results that tasted like paste rather than individual grains.
  • Keep your heat at medium-high for the searing step; too low and your chicken steams instead of developing that beautiful golden crust that adds flavor.
  • Resist the urge to peek constantly while simmering—every time you lift that lid, you release steam and extend cooking time unpredictably.
03 -
  • If your pineapple juice runs low, a combination of water and a squeeze of fresh lime juice works brilliantly as a backup.
  • Leftover rice and chicken reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of extra broth rather than in the microwave, which can dry everything out.
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