Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry is a colorful, flavorful meal that brings together juicy chicken, crisp bell peppers, sweet pineapple, and a delicious Thai-inspired sweet chili sauce. This quick and easy dinner is perfect for busy weeknights and comes together in under 30 minutes while delivering restaurant-quality flavor at home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in about 25 minutes.
- Sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavors.
- Perfect balance of tender chicken and crisp vegetables.
- Family-friendly and easy to customize.
- Great for meal prep and leftovers.
- Naturally dairy-free and packed with fresh ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil, divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
- 2 cups assorted bell peppers, cut into ½-inch cubes
- 1 red chili pepper, chopped (optional)
- 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
- ⅓ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the chicken with the fish sauce. Add the cornstarch and toss until every piece is evenly coated. Let it rest for a few minutes.
- Heat half of the oil in a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the garlic and ginger. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the bell peppers, chopped chili pepper if using, and pineapple chunks. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes until the peppers are crisp-tender.
- Pour in the sweet chili sauce and stir until everything is coated and heated through. Transfer the vegetable mixture to a plate.
- Heat the remaining oil in the same skillet.
- Add the chicken and stir-fry for about 5 minutes or until fully cooked and lightly golden.
- Return the vegetable mixture to the skillet and toss everything together until evenly combined. This Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry is ready once everything is hot and well coated.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve immediately over steamed jasmine rice or noodles.
Tips & Tricks
- Use fresh pineapple for the best sweetness and texture.
- Cut the vegetables into similar sizes for even cooking.
- Avoid overcrowding the skillet so the chicken browns nicely.
- Add broccoli, snap peas, carrots, or onions for extra vegetables.
- Adjust the heat by increasing or reducing the chili pepper.
- Serve with brown rice or cauliflower rice for a lighter meal.
Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir Fry
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary Notes: Dairy-Free
Notes
- Chicken thighs can be substituted for chicken breasts.
- For extra sauce, double the sweet chili sauce and add a splash of chicken broth.
- Garnish with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, or crushed peanuts for added texture.
- Serve alongside steamed rice, fried rice, noodles, or quinoa.
Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)
- Calories: 340
- Protein: 30g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fat: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 15g
FAQ
Can I make Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare it up to two days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Reheat just before serving.
Can I use canned pineapple?
Yes. Drain canned pineapple well before adding it to the skillet to prevent excess liquid.
Is this recipe spicy?
It has mild heat from the sweet chili sauce. Omit the fresh chili pepper if you prefer a milder dish.
What vegetables work well in this recipe?
Broccoli, zucchini, carrots, snow peas, mushrooms, and onions all pair wonderfully with this dish.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes. Cool completely before freezing in an airtight container for up to two months.
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Warm gently in a skillet over medium heat or microwave until heated through. Add a splash of water if the sauce becomes too thick.
Similar Recipes
Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry
Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry is a quick 25-minute dinner featuring tender chicken, fresh pineapple, crisp peppers, and Thai sweet chili sauce.Easy to make, family-friendly, and perfect for busy weeknights.Serve with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger minced
- 2 cups assorted bell peppers cut into ½-inch cubes
- 1 red chili pepper chopped (optional)
- 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
- ⅓ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the chicken with the fish sauce. Add the cornstarch and toss until every piece is evenly coated. Let it rest for a few minutes.
- Heat half of the oil in a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the garlic and ginger. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the bell peppers, chopped chili pepper if using, and pineapple chunks. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes until the peppers are crisp-tender.
- Pour in the sweet chili sauce and stir until everything is coated and heated through. Transfer the vegetable mixture to a plate.
- Heat the remaining oil in the same skillet.
- Add the chicken and stir-fry for about 5 minutes or until fully cooked and lightly golden.
- Return the vegetable mixture to the skillet and toss everything together until evenly combined. This Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry is ready once everything is hot and well coated.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve immediately over steamed jasmine rice or noodles.
Notes
- Chicken thighs can be substituted for chicken breasts.
- For extra sauce, double the sweet chili sauce and add a splash of chicken broth.
- Garnish with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, or crushed peanuts for added texture.
- Serve alongside steamed rice, fried rice, noodles, or quinoa.
Conclusion
This Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry is the perfect combination of sweet pineapple, tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and flavorful Thai-inspired sauce. Whether you’re looking for an easy pineapple chicken stir fry for a weeknight chicken dinner or a satisfying healthy chicken stir fry, this recipe delivers delicious results every time. Serve it over rice or noodles for a meal your family will request again and again.