Description
Pineapple Chicken Fried Rice is a quick and flavorful one-pan meal combining tender chicken, fluffy rice, sweet pineapple, colorful vegetables, and savory soy sauce seasoning. This easy family dinner comes together with simple ingredients and offers a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Rice and Chicken
- 3 cups cooked and chilled white or jasmine rice
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Vegetables and Fruits
- 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
Eggs
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
Sauces and Seasonings
- 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 cooked chicken to a plate.
- Scramble the eggs: Add the remaining oil to the skillet. Pour in the beaten eggs and scramble until just cooked. Transfer the scrambled eggs to the plate with the chicken.
- Stir-fry vegetables: Add the red onion, bell pepper, peas, carrots, and garlic to the skillet. Stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until the vegetables are just tender.
- Add the rice: Stir in the cold cooked rice, breaking up any clumps with a spatula. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently, to heat through and allow the rice to fry slightly.
- Combine all ingredients: Return the chicken and eggs to the skillet. Add the pineapple chunks, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, ground ginger, and black pepper.
- Final stir-fry: Stir-fry for another 2–3 minutes until everything is well combined and heated through.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with sliced green onions and serve 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 another ½ cup of pineapple.
- Add cashews or toasted sesame seeds for extra crunch and texture.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and oyster sauce; use extra vegetables and consider a vegetarian sauce alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Dinner, Lunch, One-Pot Meals
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
