This Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry is an easy dinner recipe made with sweet pineapple, tender chicken, and bell peppers that's ready in under 30 minutes! Serve it with your favorite rice or noodles for a meal your whole family will love!
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This pineapple chicken stir fry is a regular on my dinner rotation on busy weeknights. It is perfect served with Egg Fried Rice.
For more easy chicken recipes, try Food Court bourbon chicken, grilled teriyaki chicken on a stick, or white chicken chili!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Full of flavor with the homemade stir-fry sauce.
- On the table in less than 30 minutes.
- Delicious leftovers are great for meal prep.
- Easy to make with simple ingredients.
Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry Ingredients
*A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the printable recipe card below*
- Olive oil: Use extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil.
- Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs.
- Canned pineapple chunks: Use the juice for the sauce.
- Chicken broth: Low-sodium or homemade chicken stock.
- Brown sugar: Or your favorite sweetener.
- Garlic and Ginger: Fresh for the best flavor.
- Cornstarch and water: For thickening the sauce.
How To Make Pineapple Chicken Stir-Fry
For more detailed instructions with measurements, jump to the recipe card.
- Step 1: Prepare the Sauce. Drain pineapple juice from the can into a mixing bowl and set aside the chunks. Mix the juice with chicken broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, fresh ginger, and red pepper flakes.
- Step 2: Cook the Chicken. Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces. Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned.
- Step 3: Add Veggies. Add red onion and red bell pepper, cooking for 2-3 minutes until tender. Stir in pineapple chunks and cook for another 3 minutes.
- Step 4: Add Sauce. Pour the prepared sauce over the ingredients and bring to a boil.
- Step 5: Thicken the Sauce. Whisk cornstarch with water to create a slurry, then stir into the skillet. Simmer until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
- Step 6: Garnish and Serve. Remove from heat. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve immediately.
What To Serve With Pineapple Chicken
The following are some of my favorite serving suggestions for this stir fry:
- Pressure Cooked Jasmine Rice
- Basmati rice
- Brown rice
- Cauliflower rice
- Coconut rice
- Rice noodles
- Soba noodles
Recipe Variations
While I like this recipe as is, you could also:
- Add more veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, snap peas, or green beans.
- Spice it up with red pepper flakes or a few dashes of hot sauce.
- Speed it up by using store-bought pineapple sauce.
- Use Coconut Milk: Replace some of the chicken broth with coconut milk for a creamy sauce.
- Marinate the Chicken: Marinate the chicken pieces in a bit of soy sauce, garlic, and ginger for 15-30 minutes before cooking to infuse more flavor.
Expert Tips
- Even Cooking: Cut chicken and vegetables into similar-sized pieces.
- Quick Sauce: Use a mason jar to mix the sauce ingredients.
- Adjust Consistency: Thicken with more cornstarch or thin with extra pineapple juice or chicken broth.
Storing Leftovers
Leftover stir fry can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. For longer storage, it can be frozen for up to two months.
When reheating, the sauce may thicken, so thin it out with a bit of pineapple juice, chicken broth, or water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, tofu or shrimp are excellent alternatives.
Chop the veggies and chicken ahead of time, but cook fresh for best results.
Did you make this pineapple chicken stir fry recipe? If you did, can you do me a big favor and leave a rating and review letting me know how you liked it? This helps my website grow so I can continue to publish free recipes. Thank you! 😊
Recipe
Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 18 oz canned pineapple with juice or 540 mL (reserve juice for sauce)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar packed
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger or ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound chicken breasts boneless, skinless - cut in 1-inch cubes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ tp black pepper
- ½ cup red onion diced
- 1 large red bell pepper diced
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 3 green onions optional
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds optional
Instructions
Prepare the Sauce:
- Drain the pineapple juice into a bowl, setting aside the chunks.
- Mix the pineapple juice, chicken broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, fresh ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using) in a bowl.
Cook the Chicken:
- Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring frequently until browned.
Add Veggies and Pineapple:
- Add sliced red onion and red bell pepper to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- Stir in the pineapple chunks and cook for an additional 3 minutes.
Thicken the Sauce:
- Pour the prepared pineapple sauce over the ingredients in the skillet. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- Whisk cornstarch with water to make a slurry and stir it into the skillet. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Garnish and Serve:
- Remove from heat. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions if desired, and serve immediately over rice or noodles.
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Recipe Notes:
- Even Cooking: Cut chicken and vegetables into similar-sized pieces.
- Quick Sauce: Use a mason jar to mix the sauce ingredients.
- Adjust Consistency: Thicken with more cornstarch or thin with extra pineapple juice or chicken broth.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
**This post was originally published in March 2023. It has been recently updated with more information and helpful tips, but the recipe remains the same.
Tara says
You were right! The family loved this recipe. It’s now on regular rotation at our house. Perfect flavor balance!
Jeri Walker says
That's fabulous! I'm thrilled that the recipe was a hit and is now a regular dish in your household. Enjoy! 🙂