Pineapple Chicken is such an easy chicken stir-fry. It comes together in 30 minutes with easy-to-find ingredients and is perfect for a busy weeknight!
Our family loves stir fry, and this Pineapple Chicken recipe checks so many of our boxes. It comes together in 30 minutes while still being made with simple ingredients. This fantastic chicken recipe has a delicious sauce that is neither too sweet nor too salty. Finally, the amazing flavors come together in a way that will win over even your picky eaters.
This was great! Quick and easy to make, and it was very helpful having the ingredients listed with each step. Thank you!
Pineapple Chicken Ingredients
Be sure to scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full recipe, including all ingredients and their measurements.
- Chicken breasts: Cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Peppers: An orange and a yellow bell pepper add a little sweetness to this pineapple chicken recipe.
- Pineapple: I recommend using canned pineapple because we use both the pineapple pieces and the juice in the sauce. Canned pineapple also keeps this recipe convenient, as it is already cut up and easy to keep on hand.
Pineapple Chicken Sauce Ingredients
The sauce for this recipe is so simple. The perfect balance of sweet and flavorful, your whole family will love it. For the sauce, you will need:
- Soy sauce: Use low-sodium if you like your dishes less salty. If you want to make this recipe gluten-free, use a gluten-free soy sauce since regular soy sauce contains gluten.
- Pineapple juice: This recipe calls for canned pineapple and uses both the pineapple chunks and the juice. One eight-ounce can of diced pineapple will cover both.
- Brown sugar: This adds a bit of sweetness and tones down the acidity of the pineapple.
- Garlic
- Ginger: You can use fresh ginger or buy a tube and keep it in your refrigerator. See more on this below.
- Chili paste: An optional ingredient, see more on this below.
- Corn starch: This thickens the sauce.
How to Make Pineapple Chicken
This chicken with pineapple recipe comes together in one pan with simple ingredients. For the full recipe, all of the measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
Make the Sauce
Whisk together the soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and chili paste in a small bowl. Then whisk in the corn starch.
Sauté the Chicken
You’ll cook it just until the outside is no longer pink, about five minutes. It will finish cooking in the sauce. Add the peppers and sauté until tender.
Put it all Together
Add the sauce and pineapple to the chicken in the skillet. Bring to a simmer, and cook until the sauce thickens.
Tips and Tricks
- Spice level: This recipe gets its little kick from the garlic chili paste. You’ll note that it is optional, but I really think that the little bit of spice works perfectly with the sweetness of the pineapple. My kids don’t like overly spicy dishes, and they loved this!
- Buying ginger: You have two buying options for fresh ginger. You can buy a stick of ginger root and grate it, or you can buy a tube of pre-grated ginger. The tube of ginger is generally more expensive, but it is so convenient that we often go that way. Additionally, we don’t end up wasting a big piece of ginger root.
- How to serve: Pineapple chicken and rice make the perfect meal. You can make rice in the Instant Pot, or for a lower-carb option, make Cauliflower Rice.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store any leftover pineapple chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in a saucepan over low heat. Always use your best discretion with leftovers.
What to Serve With Pineapple Chicken
If your life is as busy as ours, you will need other fast dinner options. Here are more we love:
- This pineapple chicken recipe is delicious over rice or Cauliflower Rice. It is a great, healthy alternative to serving this over white rice.
- This Asian Cucumber Salad is delicious to round out this dinner.
- Edamame Salad comes together in 10 minutes and is full of fresh flavor.
If you make this easy Pineapple Chicken recipe or any of my other recipes, please leave a comment and let me know what you think.
Pineapple Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (29.57 ml)
- 1 pound chicken breasts cut into bite sized pieces (453.59 grams)
- 1 yellow bell pepper cut into bite sized pieces
- 1 orange bell pepper cut into bite sized pieces
- 8 ounces pineapple chunks (juice reserved for sauce) (227 grams container)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (59.15 ml)
- 1/3 cup pineapple juice (70.98 ml)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (13.31 grams)
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger (14.25 grams)
- 1 teaspoon chili paste (8 grams) (optional)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch (7 grams)
- 2 green onions chopped for garnish
- 2 cups cooked rice for serving
Instructions
- Preheat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil, and then add the chicken. Cook just until chicken is no longer pink on the outside, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 pound chicken breasts
- Add in the chopped bell peppers. Sauté until tender, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.1 yellow bell pepper, 1 orange bell pepper
- While the peppers are cooking, whisk together the soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and chili paste. Then whisk in the cornstarch.1/4 cup soy sauce, 1/3 cup pineapple juice, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 2 garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon minced ginger, 1 teaspoon chili paste, 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- Stir in the pineapple and the sauce. Bring to a simmer, and cook until the sauce thickens, about 1 to 3 minutes.8 ounces pineapple chunks
- Garnish with green onions and serve over rice.
Recipe Video
Theresa says
Sounds yummy
Thanks Theresa!
Susan says
Hi,
You can cut your fresh ginger into chunks and put it in a bag and freeze it , grate from frozen or defrost it.
Best wishes
Sue xx
Michelle says
This was great! Quick and easy to make, and it was very helpful having the ingredients listed with each step. Thank you!
I’m so glad that you liked it, Michelle!
Louise says
Lots of snow what a good time to cook.
The mind slows down with out your vitamins so
getting your ideas is an incentive to get off the couch and get cooking.
I love to cook and all the recipes you send make my mouth water.
All I have to do is decide which one is first. All of your recipes are Great.
It saves me time looking in a cook book to cook something different.
You do come up with Good stuff. You are one good Cook keep up the good work
Thank you, Louise!