Pineapple Chicken – by Gastro Guru

A mouthwatering fusion of tropical and Asian-inspired flavors comes collectively on this pineapple chicken. Prepared in minutes, each chunk is sticky, candy, and irresistible!

Every time my household requests Chinese language takeout, I sometimes make peanut butter rooster, sesame rooster, or our current favourite, my straightforward pineapple rooster recipe.

It’s a flavorful but straightforward rooster stir fry with a tantalizing tropical twist. I at all times serve it with rice as a result of it absorbs ALL the candy and sticky sauce, which is so good that I’d eat it by itself!

Desk of Contents

1. Recipe highlights
2. Substances wanted
3. The way to make pineapple rooster
4. Various cooking strategies
5. Recipe ideas and variations
6. The way to retailer leftovers
7. Regularly requested questions 
8. Extra take-out-inspired rooster recipes 
9. Pineapple Hen (Recipe Card)

Recipe highlights

• One-pan 20-minute meal. You may have this dish cooked and plated in below 20 minutes. It comes collectively in a single skillet, making clean-up a breeze. 
• More healthy than takeout. I like to offer this dish a more healthy spin by omitting any batter on the rooster and no deep frying. I promise you, you received’t have the ability to inform the distinction!
• Customizable. Add your favourite greens to this dish or something you’ve gotten within the fridge. Once I’m simply cooking for myself, I like so as to add tons of chili for a spicy twist.

What we love about this recipe is that it makes fabulous leftovers. I generally make a double batch and portion it out for a fast and simple work lunch or meal prep.

Substances wanted

Only a handful of stir fry fundamentals are all you’ll have to make this Chinese language pineapple rooster. Here’s what you’ll want: 

• Hen thighs. Boneless and skinless rooster thighs are finest as a result of they keep moist and juicy even after cooking in a skillet over excessive warmth. Boneless skinless rooster breasts can be utilized, however you’ll have to cook dinner them a little bit longer.
• Kosher salt and black pepper. To style.
• Sesame oil and olive oil. The sesame oil provides the rooster a nutty, toasted taste, whereas olive oil creates a golden, seared crust across the exterior. Don’t use all sesame oil, or this dish may have an awesome taste.
• Garlic and ginger. This fragrant duo is essential to creating Asian-inspired taste. 
• Crimson bell pepper. Any colour works, however I really like pink bell peppers for his or her candy taste and pop of pink. 
• Pineapple. Canned pineapple chunks will velocity up the preparation time, however contemporary pineapple rings work nicely, too.
• Pineapple juice. You should use the liquid from the can of pineapple right here (so long as it’s packed in juice, NOT syrup). 
• Hoisin sauce. To boost the candy, savory, and barely tangy flavors. You could find this within the Asian part of any grocery retailer.
• Honey. Helps thicken the sauce and balances the tangy sweetness of the pineapple. I examined this recipe with brown sugar however discovered the molasses taste overpowering. When you don’t thoughts that, be happy to swap it out with that.
• Low-sodium soy sauce. This elevates the umami complexity of the dish whereas including a wealthy, brown colour. Use licensed gluten-free soy sauce and tamari or coconut aminos should you want it to be gluten-free.
• Hen broth. Used as a savory taste base for the sauce. It additionally retains the rooster tender and juicy.
• Cornstarch and water. Collectively, these two assist thicken the sauce so it coats every bit of rooster, bell pepper, and pineapple.
• Inexperienced onions and sesame seeds. For garnish. 

The way to make pineapple rooster

I’ve included step-by-step images beneath to make this recipe straightforward to comply with at residence. For the complete printable recipe directions and ingredient portions, scroll to the recipe card on the backside of this publish.

Step 1- Brown the rooster: Season the rooster thighs with salt and pepper. Then, sear them in a sizzling oiled skillet over medium-high warmth till browned on all sides.

Step 2- Sauté the aromatics: Subsequent, cook dinner the garlic, ginger, and bell pepper in the identical pan. Stir within the pineapple chunks, pineapple juice, hoisin sauce, honey, soy sauce, and rooster broth. 

Step 4- Pour within the slurry: Whisk the cornstarch and water collectively, then pour the combination into the skillet. Slowly add it in.

Step 5- Simmer: Let all the things simmer till the rooster is cooked by means of and the sauce has thickened. 

Step 6- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle inexperienced onions and sesame seeds over high. Then, serve the rooster over a mattress of rice or in a pineapple boat.

Various cooking strategies

As a result of I by no means do issues by halves (and I do know not everybody likes fried meals), I examined this recipe in each the oven and the gradual cooker (crock pot).

Oven choice: Brown the seasoned rooster as regular in an oven-safe skillet. Add the garlic, ginger, bell peppers, pineapple, and sauce earlier than transferring the skillet to the oven. Bake at 375°F till the rooster is cooked by means of.

Sluggish cooker choice: Brown the rooster in a skillet earlier than transferring the items to a gradual cooker together with the garlic, ginger, bell peppers, and pineapple. Whisk the sauce elements in a separate bowl, pour it into the gradual cooker, cowl with the lid, and cook dinner on low for 4 to six hours or on excessive for two to three hours. Stir within the slurry over the past half-hour.

Recipe ideas and variations

• Prep all of your elements. This recipe strikes shortly and it helps to have all of your elements measured, chopped, and able to go earlier than getting began.
• Lower the rooster evenly. Reducing the rooster into uniform 1-inch items ensures each bit browns and cooks evenly.  
• Style as you go. After assembling the sauce within the skillet, give it a style. If it’s too candy, add extra soy sauce; if it’s too tangy, add extra honey. 
• Combine and match the veggies. Be at liberty to make use of your entire favourite greens. Carrots, inexperienced bell peppers, eggplant, pink onion, snap peas, and broccoli are all nice selections. 
• Give it a spicy kick. Add pink pepper flakes, sriracha, or diced jalapeños to the sauce to show up the fiery taste. 
• Use shrimp as a substitute. I usually do that in the summertime when shrimp is VERY plentiful. The one factor to recollect is to cook dinner the shrimp for much less time and so as to add it again to the stir fry on the very finish.

The way to retailer leftovers

To retailer: Switch the cooled leftovers to an hermetic container and retailer them within the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

To reheat: Place the leftover pineapple rooster in a baking dish and reheat it in a 350°F oven till warmed by means of. Or, reheat them shortly within the microwave as a substitute.

To freeze: Place the cooled leftovers in an hermetic freezer-safe container and freeze for two to three months.

Regularly requested questions 

Extra take-out-inspired rooster recipes