Are you ready for a dinner that’s bold, beautiful, and bursting with tropical flavor? If your weeknight meals have been feeling a little too routine lately, it’s time to spice things up with this Pineapple Chicken and Jasmine Rice Bowl. This vibrant one-pan wonder combines juicy pineapple, tender chicken, sweet red peppers, and fragrant jasmine rice—all tied together with hints of soy, garlic, and fresh ginger.

This dish strikes that perfect balance of sweet and savory, with pops of acidity and aromatic depth. The best part? It’s simple enough for a busy Tuesday but stunning enough to serve to guests on a weekend. Let’s cook up a little sunshine, one bowl at a time.

🍍 Why You’ll Love This Dish

Balanced in flavor – sweet, savory, tangy, and umami in every bite
Colorful and visually appealing – vibrant reds, yellows, and greens
Quick and easy – ready in just about 40 minutes
Family-friendly – mild yet flavorful; great for all ages
One-pan magic – fewer dishes, more flavor

🛒 Ingredients for Pineapple Chicken and Rice

Everything you need is fresh, simple, and full of flavor:

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed
1 cup fresh pineapple chunks (or canned in juice, drained)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 cup jasmine rice, rinsed
2 cups chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
Salt and black pepper, to taste
¼ cup sliced green onions
1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

Optional: Add a pinch of chili flakes or a splash of sriracha for heat.

⏲️ Time Breakdown

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 hearty bowls
Calories: Approx. 350 kcal per serving

👩‍🍳 How to Make Pineapple Chicken and Jasmine Rice Bowls

Step 1: Sear the Chicken

In a large skillet or deep sauté pan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken, season with salt and pepper, and sear until golden on all sides—about 5–6 minutes. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.

Pro Tip: Don’t crowd the pan; cook in batches if needed for proper browning.

Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables

In the same pan, reduce heat to medium and add the chopped onion and garlic. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant, then add the red bell pepper and cook for another 2 minutes until slightly softened.

Step 3: Add Pineapple & Rice

Toss in the pineapple chunks and cook for 2 minutes. The pineapple should caramelize slightly—this step enhances the flavor with a bit of sweetness and stickiness.

Stir in the uncooked jasmine rice, making sure it’s well coated with the aromatics.

Step 4: Simmer to Perfection

Add the chicken broth, soy sauce, grated ginger, and a pinch more salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover the pan and let it simmer for 18–20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid.

Step 5: Finish the Dish

Return the cooked chicken to the pan, gently mixing it into the rice and vegetables. Let it heat through for 2–3 minutes. Turn off the heat and fluff the mixture with a fork.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Top each bowl with sliced green onions and a generous sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. Serve hot and enjoy your tropical escape in a bowl!

🔄 Recipe Variations and Substitutions

This bowl is versatile and easy to customize for different tastes or dietary needs.

🥬 For extra veggies:

Add snap peas, broccoli florets, or baby spinach in the last 5 minutes of simmering.

🌱 Make it vegetarian:

Swap the chicken for tofu or chickpeas, and use vegetable broth.

🌶️ Turn up the heat:

Add chopped jalapeños, a dash of hot sauce, or a spoonful of chili garlic paste.

🍚 Switch the grain:

Use brown rice (add ~10 extra minutes to cooking time) or even quinoa.

🍽️ Serving Ideas

This bowl is a complete meal on its own, but you can elevate it with:

A side of crisp cucumber salad with rice vinegar and sesame oil
Fried plantains or pineapple salsa for a tropical twist
A lime wedge for squeezing over the top to add brightness

🧊 Storage & Meal Prep Tips

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze portions (without green onions or sesame seeds) for up to 2 months.
Reheating: Microwave in 30-second bursts or warm on the stovetop with a splash of broth.

Add garnishes fresh after reheating for best texture and taste.

🧠 What Makes This Dish So Good?

🔥 The Chicken

Cooking the chicken first locks in juices and adds savory depth. The fond (those tasty brown bits) left in the pan flavor the rice beautifully as it cooks.

🍍 The Pineapple

The pineapple isn’t just a sweet add-on. When it caramelizes, it develops complex notes that contrast the savory soy and ginger. It makes the entire dish taste like it took much longer than 40 minutes to make.

🍚 The Rice

Jasmine rice is subtly floral and fluffy, making it ideal for soaking up sauce without getting mushy. Cooking it directly in broth alongside the other ingredients means it gets infused with flavor from the start.

🥗 Nutrition at a Glance (Per Serving)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	~350 kcal
Protein	28g
Carbs	35g
Fiber	4g
Healthy Fats	10g
Vitamin C	40% DV
Sodium	<650mg

This is a wholesome, balanced dish that satisfies without being heavy.

🌴 Final Thoughts: A Bite of the Tropics

The Pineapple Chicken and Jasmine Rice Bowl isn’t just a meal—it’s a culinary getaway. Sweet pineapple, savory chicken, aromatic rice, and vibrant veggies all come together to form a dish that’s as beautiful as it is satisfying. Whether you’re cooking for the family or meal-prepping for the week, this one-pan dinner will keep you coming back for more.

Recipe Card

Yummy Pineapple Chicken and Rice Recipe

This Pineapple Chicken and Rice is a delightful fusion of sweet and savory flavors, featuring tender chicken, juicy pineapple, and aromatic jasmine rice. The dish is made even more special with a touch of ginger and a hint of soy sauce, giving it a unique and satisfying taste.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 350

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

1 pound chicken breast cubed
1 cup pineapple cubed
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
1 red bell pepper diced
1 cup jasmine rice
2 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon ginger grated
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup green onions sliced
1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Equipment

Skillet

Method

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken and cook until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
In the same skillet, sauté the onion, garlic, and red bell pepper until softened.
Add the cubed pineapple to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes.
Stir in the jasmine rice, chicken broth, soy sauce, grated ginger, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked.
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and mix well to distribute the flavors evenly. Heat through.
Serve the dish garnished with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

Notes

Pineapple Chicken and Rice: A Flavorful Journey to Tropical Delight

In the world of culinary exploration, some dishes stand out for their ability to strike the perfect balance between sweet and savory flavors. Pineapple Chicken and Rice is one such recipe that brings together the sweetness of ripe pineapple and the rich, savory taste of chicken, all set against the backdrop of aromatic jasmine rice. This dish is a perfect example of how ingredients from different flavor profiles can blend harmoniously to create a meal that is not only delicious but also visually appealing.

A Fusion of Flavors

The core of Pineapple Chicken and Rice lies in its delightful mix of tender chicken, juicy pineapple, and vibrant vegetables, all seasoned with a dash of ginger and soy sauce. This balance of flavors offers a refreshing yet comforting experience, making it an ideal choice for both a weeknight dinner and a special occasion. The pineapple, with its natural sweetness and acidity, cuts through the richness of the chicken, while the soy sauce and ginger add depth to the dish, elevating its savory notes.

Pineapple is a fruit that is known for its versatility in cooking. Its sharp sweetness complements the savory flavors of meat, making it a great pairing for chicken. Whether grilled, roasted, or used in a stir-fry, pineapple infuses its tropical essence into any dish. In this recipe, the pineapple’s natural sugars caramelize when sautéed, creating a slightly sticky glaze that coats the chicken and vegetables, making each bite a burst of flavor.

The Chicken: A Savory Foundation

Chicken breast, a lean protein, serves as the foundation of this dish. Its mild flavor allows it to take on the character of the ingredients around it, making it a perfect canvas for the pineapple and other seasonings. When cooked properly, chicken breast is tender, juicy, and packed with flavor, especially when paired with a simple seasoning mix that allows the other ingredients to shine.

In this recipe, the chicken is first cooked to a golden-brown perfection in olive oil. This method of searing helps to lock in the juices, ensuring that the chicken remains moist and flavorful. After the chicken is cooked, it is set aside, allowing the flavors of the other ingredients to develop in the same pan. This technique not only simplifies the cooking process but also ensures that the chicken absorbs the richness of the other components when combined later.

Bite & Bliss

Pineapple Chicken and Jasmine Rice Bowl: A Tropical One-Pan Dinner