Here’s a recipe for Pineapple Chicken and Rice—a sweet and savory dish that’s easy to prepare and full of tropical flavors:
Ingredients:
- Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ginger powder
- 1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks, drained (reserve juice)
- Rice:
- 1 cup jasmine rice or basmati rice
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth or water
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Sauce:
- ½ cup pineapple juice (from the can)
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)
- Garnish:
- 2 green onions, chopped
- Sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions:
1. Cook the Rice:
- In a saucepan, bring chicken broth (or water) and butter to a boil.
- Stir in the rice, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes, or until rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
- Fluff the rice with a fork and set aside.
2. Prepare the Chicken:
- Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and ginger powder.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked (internal temperature of 165°F).
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to rest.
3. Make the Pineapple Sauce:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the pineapple juice, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil.
- Add the sauce to the skillet where you cooked the chicken, and bring it to a simmer.
- Stir in the cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
4. Add Pineapple:
- Add the drained pineapple chunks to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, coating them in the sauce.
5. Combine and Serve:
- Slice the chicken and return it to the skillet to coat it in the sauce.
- Serve the chicken and pineapple over the cooked rice.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
Enjoy your sweet and savory Pineapple Chicken and Rice!