This easy One-Pan Pineapple Chicken & Rice combines tender chicken, fluffy jasmine rice, and sweet pineapple in a savory-sweet glaze that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Ready in 30 minutes with minimal cleanup!
You know those nights when you want something that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, but you really just want to use one pan and be done with it? Yeah, this One-Pan Pineapple Chicken & Rice is that recipe.
I stumbled on this combo during a “what’s left in my pantry” moment, and honestly, it’s become my go-to when I need dinner on the table fast without sacrificing flavor.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Here’s the thing—this dish checks all the boxes. You’ve got protein, carbs, and a pop of sweetness all cooking together in perfect harmony. The pineapple isn’t just there for show; it caramelizes slightly and adds this bright, tropical vibe that makes regular chicken and rice feel like a mini vacation.
Plus, it’s genuinely a stomach friendly dinner since it’s not heavy or greasy, just light and satisfying. And did I mention cleanup is basically nonexistent? One pan, friends. One beautiful pan.
One-Pan Pineapple Chicken & Rice
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Bowl
- Spoon or tongs
- lid
- fork
Ingredients
For the Chicken and Rice
- 2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1.5 cups jasmine or long-grain white rice
- 1.5 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup pineapple chunks fresh or canned, drained
- 0.5 cup pineapple juice from the can or fresh
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon ground ginger
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For Garnish
- 2 pieces green onions chopped
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Toss chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, ground ginger, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, cook chicken 5–7 minutes until golden brown. Remove chicken and set aside.
- In the same pan, toast uncooked rice for 1 minute. Add chicken broth, pineapple juice, soy sauce, honey, and sesame oil. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add cooked chicken and pineapple chunks back into the pan. Cover and cook on low heat for 15 minutes until rice is tender.
- Remove from heat, let rest covered for 5 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork, sprinkle with chopped green onions and sesame seeds, then serve warm.
Notes
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this happen. Most of this stuff is probably already hanging out in your kitchen right now.
| Ingredient Category | What You Need |
|---|---|
| For the Chicken and Rice | 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces |
| 1 ½ cups jasmine or long-grain white rice | |
| 1 ½ cups chicken broth | |
| 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, drained) | |
| ½ cup pineapple juice (from the can or fresh) | |
| 2 tablespoons soy sauce | |
| 1 tablespoon honey | |
| 1 teaspoon sesame oil | |
| 1 teaspoon garlic powder | |
| 1 teaspoon onion powder | |
| ½ teaspoon ground ginger | |
| ½ teaspoon salt | |
| ¼ teaspoon black pepper | |
| 2 tablespoons olive oil | |
| For Garnish | 2 green onions, chopped |
| 1 teaspoon sesame seeds |
Step-by-Step Instructions
Let’s walk through this together. It’s super straightforward, I promise.
Prepare the Chicken
First things first—grab your chicken pieces and toss them in a bowl with the garlic powder, onion powder, ground ginger, salt, and pepper. Get your hands in there (or use tongs if you’re fancy) and make sure every piece is coated. This is where the flavor starts building.
Heat up your olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once it’s shimmering and hot, add the chicken in a single layer. Don’t crowd the pan—give those pieces some space to breathe! Cook for about 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until you see some nice golden-brown color and the chicken’s cooked through. Pull the chicken out and set it aside on a plate. Don’t worry, it’s coming back to the party soon.
Cook the Rice
Here’s where the magic really starts. In that same pan (see, still just one pan!), add a tiny splash more olive oil if things are looking dry. Toss in your uncooked rice and let it toast for about a minute, stirring constantly. You’ll smell this amazing nutty aroma—that’s how you know you’re doing it right.
Now pour in the chicken broth, pineapple juice, soy sauce, honey, and sesame oil. Give everything a good stir so all those flavors get friendly with each other. Bring it up to a gentle simmer and watch it start to bubble.
Combine Everything
Once you’ve got that simmer going, it’s time to reunite the chicken with the rice. Add the cooked chicken back into the pan, then stir in those beautiful pineapple chunks. Make sure they’re scattered throughout—you want a little sweetness in every bite. Lower the heat to low, pop a lid on that pan, and let everything cook together for about 15 minutes. The rice will soak up all that delicious liquid and get perfectly tender.
Fluff and Serve
When the rice is done (you’ll know because it’ll be soft and all the liquid will be gone), take the pan off the heat but keep it covered for another 5 minutes. This little rest period helps the rice finish steaming and lets the flavors settle in.
After that, grab a fork and fluff the rice gently to separate the grains and mix everything together. Sprinkle the top with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for that fresh, crunchy finish. Serve it up warm and get ready for everyone to ask for seconds.
Expert Tips & Tricks
Getting the Perfect Texture
The key to fluffy rice is letting it rest after cooking. I know you’re hungry, but those 5 minutes make a real difference. Also, don’t peek under the lid while it’s cooking—you’ll let out all the steam!
Flavor Variations
Want to switch things up? Try adding a dash of sriracha or red pepper flakes if you like a little kick. You could also throw in some bell peppers or snap peas during the last few minutes of cooking for extra veggies. Looking for more dinner ideas? Check out these crispy oven baked potato skins or these amazing buffalo wings for other crowd-pleasers.
Protein Swaps
Not a chicken fan? This works great with shrimp (just add them in the last 5 minutes so they don’t overcook) or even cubed pork. For a vegetarian version, swap the chicken for tofu or chickpeas and use veggie broth.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If your rice turns out mushy, you probably had too much liquid—next time, reduce the broth slightly. If it’s too dry or crunchy, add a splash more broth and let it cook another few minutes. And if the bottom gets a little crispy? That’s actually my favorite part—it’s like a bonus crunchy layer of flavor.
Storage & Reheating
Here’s how to keep those leftovers tasting fresh and what to do with any extras.
| Storage Method | Instructions |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator | Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The flavors actually get better overnight! |
| Freezer | Freeze in portion-sized containers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. |
| Reheating | Microwave with a damp paper towel on top for 2–3 minutes, or reheat in a skillet with a splash of broth to keep it moist. |
| No-Waste Tips | Leftover pineapple juice? Use it in smoothies or freeze it in ice cube trays. Extra green onions make great garnish for scrambled eggs or soup. |
Nutrition Information
Here’s the breakdown per serving (recipe makes about 4 servings):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 425 |
| Protein | 28g |
| Carbohydrates | 52g |
| Fat | 11g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sugar | 12g |
| Sodium | 680mg |
This makes it a pretty balanced meal that won’t leave you feeling weighed down. It’s filling but not heavy—perfect when you want something satisfying that’s also a stomach friendly dinner option.
Why This Works as a Weeknight Winner
Let me tell you why this One-Pan Pineapple Chicken & Rice has earned its spot in my regular rotation. It’s fast, foolproof, and uses ingredients I usually have on hand. The sweet-savory combo hits different than your typical chicken and rice, making it feel special without any extra effort. And when you’re searching for dinner ideas with pineapple, this one delivers every single time.
The cleanup situation is also chef’s kiss—one pan means you’re not stuck scrubbing a million dishes afterward. Just dinner, then done. That’s the dream, right?
If you’re into easy, flavorful recipes like this, you might also love these strawberries and cream scones for a sweet breakfast treat, or this strawberry bread loaf with strawberry glaze for when you need something cozy.
High Protein White Chicken Chili FAQs
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Totally! Just keep in mind brown rice takes longer to cook—about 40–45 minutes instead of 15. You’ll also need to add more liquid (about ½ cup extra broth) since brown rice absorbs more. The flavors will still be amazing, it’ll just take a bit more patience.
What if I don’t have pineapple juice?
No worries! You can substitute with orange juice for a different fruity vibe, or just use extra chicken broth and add a tablespoon more honey to keep that sweetness. It won’t be quite the same tropical flavor, but it’ll still taste delicious.
Can I make this in a rice cooker?
Sort of—you’d need to brown the chicken separately in a pan first, then add everything to the rice cooker. It’s doable but loses some of that caramelized flavor you get from cooking it all together in one skillet. I’d stick with the stovetop method for best results.
How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?
The internal temperature should hit 165°F if you’re using a meat thermometer. Visually, the chicken should be white throughout with no pink in the center. Since we’re using bite-sized pieces, they cook pretty quickly.
Can I add vegetables to this dish?
Absolutely! Broccoli, snap peas, bell peppers, or carrots all work great. Just add harder veggies like carrots when you add the rice, and softer ones like snap peas in the last 5 minutes of cooking. It’s a great way to sneak in extra nutrition and make it even more filling.
Give This One-Pan Wonder a Try!
Seriously, if you’re looking for easy dinner ideas that don’t involve a million steps or dishes, bookmark this One-Pan Pineapple Chicken & Rice right now. It’s become one of those recipes I make when I need something reliable, tasty, and quick. The combination of savory chicken with sweet pineapple and perfectly seasoned rice is just right—not too complicated, but way better than boring.
Make it tonight, snap a pic, and pin it on Pinterest so you can find it again later! I’d love to hear how it turns out for you—drop a comment and let me know if you tried any fun variations or if your family devoured it as fast as mine does. For more cozy recipe inspiration, check out these homemade strawberry fruit roll-ups that are perfect for snack time.
Happy cooking, friends!
