Pineapple Chicken and Rice is a vibrant, tropical-inspired dish that beautifully blends sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. This recipe pairs tender, golden-seared chicken breasts with a luscious sauce made from pineapple juice, honey, Dijon mustard, and garlic—then finishes it off with warm pineapple slices for a dish that feels both comforting and exotic. It’s served over a bed of fluffy rice, which soaks up all the flavorful juices, making every bite satisfying and complete.
This dish is ideal for those nights when you want something hearty yet refreshing. It comes together in one skillet, which means minimal cleanup, and features a sauce that hits all the right notes: rich from the mustard, sweet from the honey, sharp from the garlic, and tropical from the pineapple. The chicken cooks slowly in this sauce, soaking up flavor and becoming incredibly tender, while the final addition of thickened sauce brings a glossy finish. It’s a balanced meal that’s both family-friendly and impressive enough to serve guests.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Tropical flavor twist with pineapple and honey
• One-pan cooking makes cleanup easy
• The sauce is rich, tangy, and slightly sweet
• Perfect over rice for a filling, well-rounded meal
Ingredients
1½ pounds boneless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 can (20 oz) sliced pineapple – reserve the juice
1 tablespoon cornstarch
¼ cup Dijon mustard
¼ cup honey
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 servings cooked rice
Instructions
Step 1: Season the Chicken
Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel.
Sprinkle both sides of the chicken with dried thyme, salt, and pepper, pressing gently to adhere the seasonings.
Step 2: Brown the Chicken
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5–7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and almost cooked through.
Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate while you prepare the sauce.
Step 3: Prepare the Pineapple and Sauce Base
Drain the juice from the can of sliced pineapple, reserving the juice. Set the pineapple slices aside.
Measure out 2 oz (about ¼ cup) of the reserved pineapple juice and mix it with the cornstarch in a small bowl until smooth. This will be your thickening agent.
In a separate bowl, combine the remaining pineapple juice with Dijon mustard, honey, and minced garlic. Stir until well mixed.
Step 4: Simmer the Chicken with the Sauce
Pour the Dijon-mustard mixture into the same skillet you used for the chicken. Stir gently and bring the heat down to low.
Return the browned chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce.
Cover with a lid and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and tender.
Step 5: Thicken the Sauce
Remove the chicken breasts from the skillet temporarily and set them aside.
Stir the cornstarch and pineapple juice mixture into the skillet. Increase the heat to medium.
Bring the sauce to a boil, stirring continuously, until it thickens to a silky consistency—this should take about 2 minutes.
Step 6: Return Chicken and Add Pineapple
Once the sauce has thickened, return the chicken to the skillet and turn to coat it well.
Place the pineapple slices on and around the chicken in the skillet.
Cover the skillet again and let everything heat together for another 2–3 minutes, just enough to warm the pineapple through and let the flavors combine.
Step 7: Serve Over Rice
Scoop cooked rice into bowls or plates.
Top each portion with a chicken breast and several warm pineapple slices.
Drizzle any remaining sauce from the skillet generously over the top of the chicken and rice.
Tips for Success
• Use fresh garlic for the best flavor: It adds a punchy note that balances the sweetness of the pineapple and honey.
• Don’t skip browning the chicken: This step locks in moisture and adds flavor to the finished dish.
• Control the sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet sauce, reduce the honey slightly or add a splash of rice vinegar or lime juice to increase the tanginess.
• Cut chicken into cutlets for faster cooking: If you’re short on time, slice the breasts in half horizontally before searing.
• Double the sauce if you love it extra saucy: The rice soaks it up wonderfully, so more is always welcome.
Storage Options
Pineapple Chicken and Rice keeps well and reheats beautifully, making it a great choice for meal prepping or saving leftovers.
• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Keep the rice and chicken together or in separate containers depending on preference.
• Freezer: Freeze chicken and sauce separately from rice in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 2 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating: Warm on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce if needed.
Whether you’re planning a weeknight dinner or need a crowd-pleasing dish that looks and tastes like you spent hours making it, Pineapple Chicken and Rice delivers. With its sweet-and-savory balance, beautiful presentation, and satisfying textures, it’s a dish that checks all the boxes and brings a little sunshine to your dinner table any time of year.
