This easy pineapple chicken recipe is an absolutely delicious and easy way to add some tropical flavor to your dinner. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have this dish on the table in no time. Plus, it's perfect for those times when you need a quick and easy meal solution.
I hope you enjoy this recipe! ❤️ If you give it a try, please let me know how it turned out for you in the comments section at the bottom of the page or share a pic of your om noms on Instagram and tag @dishesanddustbunnies! ❤️
Ingredients needed for Pineapple Chicken:
For this Chinese style pineapple chicken recipe the ingredients are quite simple!
You'll need boneless skinless chicken breasts (which have been chopped into bite sized pieces) chopped red bell pepper, canned pineapple chunks (juice reserved), and some garlic and ginger.
For the delicious sauce, you'll need pineapple juice, low sodium soy sauce, chicken broth, hoisin sauce, some brown sugar, and a little cornstarch and water.
For garnish and added flavor, you'll need some chopped green onions (just the green parts) and some sesame seeds.
Be sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of the post for full ingredients & instructions!
How to make Pineapple Chicken – Overview
Making your own homemade sticky pineapple chicken from scratch is super easy! In fact, it's practically fool proof and takes less than 30 minutes to prepare! You can find the full instructions and ingredient amounts in the recipe card at the bottom of the page, but first, here's a simple overview of how to make pineapple chicken at home.
Over medium heat, in a large pan or wok, cook oil. Season the chicken with a little salt and pepper and add it to the pan. Stir occasionally until no longer pink. Add the red pepper and pineapple chunks to the pan. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring every so often.
Pour in the ginger and garlic. Stir for a few seconds and then cook for a bit. Add the pineapple juice, soy sauce, chicken stock, hoisin sauce, and brown sugar to the pan. Stir until everything is well combined. Allow to simmer for around 10 minutes before adding the cornstarch mixture. Stir in the cornstarch mixture and allow the sauce to thicken a bit.
Serve your tasty pineapple chicken over steamed rice and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. ENJOY!
Can Fresh Pineapple be used instead of Canned Pineapple?
Fresh pineapple can be used instead of canned pineapple, but it may not taste as sweet. Canned pineapple is picked at the peak of ripeness and then quickly canned, sealing in its sweetness.
Fresh pineapple, on the other hand, may not be as ripe when you buy it and may not taste as sweet as a result. You can use fresh pineapple in most recipes that call for canned pineapple, but you may want to add a little extra sugar to offset the lack of sweetness. When choosing fresh pineapple, look for fruit that is heavy for its size and has dark green or yellow leaves. Avoid pineapples with brown spots or bruising, as they will not be as sweet.
Does pineapple juice tenderize chicken?
If you've ever wondered whether pineapple juice tenderizes chicken, the answer is yes! The enzymes in pineapple juice break down proteins, which makes it an effective marinade for chicken. The result will be juicy, flavorful chicken that's melt-in-your-mouth tender.
What to serve with pineapple chicken
When it comes to pairing pineapple chicken with the perfect sides, you really can't go wrong. In fact, this dish is so versatile that it can be enjoyed with a wide variety of accompaniments.
For a truly tropical twist, try serving it over rice with a side of beans. Or, for something a little lighter, pair it with a salad made with crisp greens and refreshing fruit. No matter what you choose to serve alongside your pineapple chicken, one thing is for sure: this dish is sure to please any and all appetites!
How to Prepare Pineapple Chicken in Advance
You can prepare your pineapple chicken in advance, but to make it as simple as possible, I'd recommend baking it rather than stir fry in a pan or wok as the original recipe calls for.
To do this, combine all the recipe ingredients and pour them into a baking dish (9″ is fine). Cook uncovered for about 30-35 minutes. Before serving, stir the contents of the dish and allow to sit for about 5 minutes. Serve over rice and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
The ingredients can be prepared and combined up to 2 days before cooking.
Storing Leftover Pineapple Chicken
Pineapple chicken is a delicious and easy meal that can be made in advance and stored in the fridge or freezer for later. To store leftovers in the fridge, simply place them in an airtight container and they will keep for up to four days.
If you want to store it for longer, pineapple chicken will be good for up to three months when stored in the freezer. When you're ready to enjoy your leftovers, simply reheat them in the oven or microwave until they're warm throughout. Enjoy!
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Pineapple Chicken
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-size cubes
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 red pepper, chopped
- 1 cup pineapple chunks, fresh or canned (I used a 398ml can)
Note: I prefer using canned pineapple for this recipe since it's quick and easy, but also the flavors have more “oooopmh”. - 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- ½ inch piece of fresh ginger, minced or chopped finely
- ½ cup pineapple juice (use the reserved juice from the can, if using a canned pineapple chunks)
- ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
- ⅓ cup chicken broth or stock
- ⅓ cup hoisin sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp cornstarch combined with 1 tbsp cold water
- Green onions (the green parts), chopped, for garnish (and flavour!)
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pan or wok, over medium heat cooking oil. Add chicken breast and season with a little salt and pepper. Cook through while stirring a few times until no longer pink.
- Add chopped red pepper and pineapple chunks to the pan. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring a few times.
- Add ginger and garlic. Stir and cook for a couple minutes.
- Add the pineapple juice, soy sauce, chicken broth, hoisin and brown sugar. Stir so everything is combined. Allow to simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Next, add the cornstarch and water mixture. Combine well with the sauce and bring to a slight boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for a couple minutes. The sauce should thicken up some.
- Serve over rice and sprinkle sesame seeds over top along with some chopped green onions. Enjoy!
Notes
To Cook in the Oven: Combine all the recipe ingredients and pour them into a baking dish (9″ is fine). Cook uncovered for about 30-35 minutes. Before serving, stir the contents of the dish and allow to sit for about 5 minutes. Serve over rice and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
To prepare in Advance: You can prepare your pineapple chicken in advance, but to make it as simple as possible, I'd recommend baking it according to the Oven instructions above. The ingredients can be prepared and combined up to 2 days before cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Stove top in pan or wok
- Cuisine: Asian/Chinese Inspired
