30 Minute Pineapple Chicken with Coconut Rice
A vibrant dish combining the sweetness of pineapple with savory chicken and creamy coconut rice, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1.5 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
- 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks
- 1/2 small shallot, finely chopped
- 1 jalapeno, seeded if desired and chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
- 1 avocado, diced
For the Coconut Rice
- 1 14 ounce can coconut milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
Marinating the Chicken
- In a glass jar, whisk together the soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, ketchup, chopped shallots, garlic, ginger, and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Pour 1/3 of the sauce over the chicken and let it sit for 15 minutes or up to overnight in the fridge.
Making the Salsa
- Meanwhile, make the salsa by combining all salsa ingredients in a bowl.
Cooking the Chicken
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the chicken, and cook for 5 minutes until cooked through on both sides.
- Reduce the heat to medium and pour in the remaining soy sauce mixture. Cook until the sauce glazes the chicken and begins to caramelize, about 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in the chopped cilantro.
Preparing the Coconut Rice
- In a medium pot, combine coconut milk and water, bring to a low boil, add rice and salt, stir to combine, cover, and cook on low for 10 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and let sit for 15-20 minutes covered. Fluff the rice with a fork before serving.
Serving the Dish
- Serve the chicken over rice with the salsa, diced avocado, and a squeeze of lime.
Notes
For extra flavor, let the chicken marinate in the sauce overnight if you have the time. You can add more vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas for added nutrition and color. If you prefer a milder dish, reduce the amount of jalapeno in the salsa or leave it out entirely.