Description
This Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Skillet offers a quick and easy weeknight meal, combining sweet pineapple chunks with savory chicken and vibrant vegetables in a single pan for a satisfying dinner. It’s a family-friendly dish known for its irresistible aroma and balanced sweet-tart tropical flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 (20 oz) can pineapple chunks, drained (or 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks)
- 2 bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange), sliced
- 1 medium yellow or red onion, sliced
- 0.5 cup soy sauce (or Tamari)
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 0.25 cup packed brown sugar (or maple syrup)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 2 tbsp cornstarch, divided
- 1 tbsp high-heat oil
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Prep Chicken: Cut 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken into 1-inch pieces. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with 1 tbsp cornstarch, 0.5 tsp salt, and 0.25 tsp black pepper until lightly coated.
- Make Sauce: In a separate small bowl, whisk together 0.5 cup soy sauce, 0.25 cup packed brown sugar, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp grated fresh ginger, 2 cloves minced garlic, and the remaining 1 tbsp cornstarch. Whisk until smooth. Set aside.
- Sear Chicken: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large 10-inch skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken in a single layer (do not overcrowd) and sear until golden brown and lightly caramelized on all sides (3-4 minutes per side). Remove chicken from skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the 1 sliced onion and 2 sliced bell peppers to the same skillet. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender-crisp and slightly softened (5-7 minutes).
- Combine And Simmer: Return the seared chicken to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Pour in the prepared sauce and 1 (20 oz) can drained pineapple chunks (or 2 cups fresh chunks). Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently, until the sauce visibly thickens and coats the chicken and veggies, becoming glossy.
Notes
Avoid overcrowding the pan when searing chicken to ensure proper browning; cook in batches if necessary. Do not overcook chicken once the sauce thickens to keep it juicy and tender. Consider using low-sodium soy sauce or organic chicken for enhanced flavor and nutrition.
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Hawaiian, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups (approx 230 g)
- Calories: 450 calories
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Keywords: easy dinner, Hawaiian chicken, pineapple skillet, one-pan meal, weeknight, sweet and savory, family friendly, chicken thighs, bell peppers