Bring a little sunshine to your dinner table with this Easy Pineapple Chicken with Rice. It’s the kind of recipe that instantly lifts your mood—tender chicken, juicy pineapple, and fluffy rice, all cooked together in one pan and infused with a perfectly balanced sweet-and-savory sauce. Simple, comforting, and packed with tropical flair, this dish feels like a mini vacation without leaving your kitchen.

What makes this recipe so special is how effortlessly everything comes together. There’s no juggling multiple pots or complicated techniques. Just one pan, everyday ingredients, and about 45 minutes stand between you and a complete, satisfying meal the whole family will love.

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Why This Pineapple Chicken with Rice Is a Favorite

The magic of this dish lies in the contrast of flavors. Sweet, juicy Pineapple pairs beautifully with savory soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. The sweetness never feels overpowering because it’s balanced by umami-rich ingredients that give the dish depth and richness.

As the rice cooks, it absorbs the pineapple juice and seasoned broth, becoming incredibly flavorful grain by grain. The chicken stays tender and juicy, while the pineapple lightly caramelizes, adding another layer of flavor and texture.

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A True One-Pan Wonder

This recipe is designed with busy home cooks in mind. Everything cooks in a single deep skillet or wide pan, which means:

• Less cleanup

• Faster cooking

• Maximum flavor

You start by browning the chicken to build flavor, then use the same pan to create the sauce and cook the rice. Those browned bits left behind are pure gold—they melt into the sauce and make the final dish taste like it simmered for hours.

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Perfect Balance of Sweet and Savory

This Pineapple Chicken with Rice hits that sweet spot (literally). The pineapple adds natural sweetness and brightness, while soy sauce, garlic, and ginger ground the dish with savory depth. A small amount of brown sugar enhances the pineapple rather than competing with it, creating a sauce that’s glossy, flavorful, and deeply satisfying.

The result is a dish that appeals to both kids and adults, making it ideal for family dinners.

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Versatile and Customizable

One of the best things about this recipe is how flexible it is. You can easily adapt it without changing the core method or ingredients in your recipe card.

• Fresh or canned pineapple both work beautifully

• Swap chicken breast for chicken thighs for extra juiciness

• Add more vegetables like broccoli, snap peas, or carrots

• Adjust sweetness or saltiness to suit your taste

It’s forgiving, adaptable, and beginner-friendly.

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Ingredients

For the Chicken

• Boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes

• Salt

• Black pepper

• Garlic powder

• Olive oil

For the Rice and Sauce

• Long-grain white rice (uncooked)

• Chicken broth

• Pineapple juice (reserved from pineapple)

• Soy sauce

• Brown sugar

• Garlic, minced

• Fresh ginger, minced

• Cornstarch + water (for thickening)

• Pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)

• Red bell pepper

• Green bell pepper

For Garnish (Optional)

• Green onions

• Sesame seeds

• Red pepper flakes

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How to Make Pineapple Chicken with Rice

1. Season and brown the chicken
   Toss chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Sear in olive oil until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.

2. Build the flavor base
   In the same pan, sauté garlic and ginger briefly until fragrant.

3. Toast the rice
   Add uncooked rice and stir for about a minute to coat it in the aromatics.

4. Add liquids and sauce ingredients
   Pour in chicken broth, pineapple juice, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Stir well and bring to a boil.

5. Simmer the rice
   Reduce heat, cover tightly, and simmer until the rice is mostly tender.

6. Add pineapple and vegetables
   Scatter pineapple chunks and bell peppers on top. Cover and cook until rice is fully tender.

7. Thicken and finish
   Stir in the cooked chicken and cornstarch slurry. Cook uncovered briefly until the sauce thickens and coats everything.

8. Rest and serve
   Let the dish rest for a few minutes, then garnish and serve hot.

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Why the Rice Turns Out So Flavorful

Unlike plain boiled rice, this rice cooks directly in the sauce. It absorbs pineapple juice, broth, and seasonings as it simmers, creating layers of flavor you simply can’t get from cooking rice separately. The resting time at the end allows any excess moisture to absorb, ensuring fluffy—not mushy—rice.

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Great for Meal Prep and Leftovers

This dish stores and reheats beautifully:

• Refrigerator: Up to 3–4 days

• Reheating: Add a splash of water or broth and reheat gently

The flavors actually deepen overnight, making leftovers even more delicious.

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Helpful Tips for Best Results

• Don’t lift the lid while the rice is cooking—steam is essential

• Drain pineapple well if using canned

• Cut chicken evenly for uniform cooking

• Taste and adjust sweetness or salt at the end

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Final Thoughts

This Easy Pineapple Chicken with Rice proves that weeknight dinners don’t have to be boring. With sweet tropical notes, savory depth, and a simple one-pan method, it delivers big flavor with minimal effort. It’s comforting, colorful, and endlessly satisfying—exactly the kind of recipe you’ll come back to again and again.

Whenever you need a dinner that’s easy, family-friendly, and just a little bit special, this one-pan pineapple chicken has you covered 🍍🍗🍚