Description
Pineapple Chicken Fried Rice is a quick and flavorful one-pan meal combining tender chicken, fluffy rice, sweet pineapple, colorful vegetables, and a savory soy sauce seasoning. It’s an easy family dinner that comes together with simple ingredients, perfect for a delicious Asian-inspired dish ready in under 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked and chilled white or jasmine rice
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 cup pineapple chunks, diced
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
- ½ red bell pepper, diced
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Sauces
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add half of the vegetable oil. Add the diced chicken and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Scramble the Eggs: In the same skillet, add the remaining vegetable oil. Pour in the beaten eggs and scramble them until just cooked. Transfer the scrambled eggs to the plate with the chicken.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the diced red onion, red bell pepper, frozen peas and carrots, and minced garlic to the skillet. Stir-fry the vegetables for 2–3 minutes until they start to soften and become fragrant.
- Add Rice: Add the cold, cooked rice to the skillet. Use a spatula to break up any clumps and cook the rice for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently to ensure even heating and prevent sticking.
- Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked chicken and scrambled eggs to the skillet. Add the pineapple chunks, low-sodium soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, ground ginger, and black pepper. Stir-fry everything together for another 2–3 minutes, ensuring the ingredients are well mixed and heated through.
- Finish and Serve: Remove from heat. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve the pineapple chicken fried rice immediately while hot.
Notes
- Cold, day-old rice gives the best fried rice texture and prevents the dish from becoming mushy.
- Use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast for extra tenderness and juiciness.
- For a sweeter dish, add an additional ½ cup of pineapple chunks.
- Add cashews or toasted sesame seeds for extra crunch and texture.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and oyster sauce, substituting with extra vegetables and a vegetarian-friendly sauce alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Dinner, Lunch, One-Pot Meals
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
