Description
Tropical Hawaiian pineapple chicken delivers sweet and savory magic on dinner plates, bringing island-inspired flavors to your kitchen. Juicy chicken, caramelized pineapple chunks, and fluffy rice create a delightful meal that transports you to paradise with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless chicken breasts
Main Flavoring Agents:
- 1 can sliced pineapple (20 ounces/567 grams, reserve the juice)
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
Seasonings and Cooking Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 4 servings cooked rice
Instructions
- Season chicken breasts generously with thyme, salt, and pepper, ensuring even coverage on both sides.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium temperature. Carefully place seasoned chicken breasts into the hot pan, cooking until a golden-brown crust develops on each side, approximately 5-7 minutes per surface.
- Extract pineapple slices from their juice, preserving the liquid for the sauce. Set tropical fruit pieces aside for later garnishing.
- Create the sauce by whisking pineapple juice with cornstarch in one container, creating a smooth slurry. In a separate bowl, blend remaining juice with Dijon mustard, honey, and finely chopped garlic to develop a complex flavor profile.
- Transfer the Dijon-pineapple mixture into the skillet containing the seared chicken. Reduce heat, cover, and allow the chicken to gently simmer, ensuring thorough cooking for approximately 15 minutes.
- Temporarily remove chicken from the skillet. Introduce the cornstarch mixture, raising heat to medium and stirring continuously until the sauce transforms into a luxurious, thickened consistency.
- Reintroduce chicken to the skillet, thoroughly coating each piece with the glossy sauce. Artfully arrange pineapple slices around and atop the chicken, covering and warming for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Plate the succulent chicken over a bed of fluffy rice, cascading any remaining sauce for enhanced flavor complexity. Garnish with reserved pineapple slices for a vibrant presentation.
Notes
- Marinate chicken with thyme, salt, and pepper to infuse deep, robust flavors that elevate the entire dish.
- Searing chicken creates a golden-brown crust, locking in moisture and developing a rich, caramelized exterior that adds incredible texture.
- Reserving pineapple juice is crucial for creating a tangy, sweet sauce that perfectly balances the savory chicken and adds a tropical twist.
- Cornstarch acts as a natural thickening agent, transforming the liquid into a glossy, clingy sauce that coats the chicken beautifully.
- Dijon mustard, honey, and garlic create a complex flavor profile that brings unexpected depth and excitement to this simple chicken recipe.
- Letting the chicken simmer in the sauce ensures tender, juicy meat that’s fully infused with the delicious pineapple-mustard blend.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg