Description
This Pineapple Chicken Stir-Fry is a deliciously vibrant dish that masterfully blends sweet and savory flavors. Tender bite-sized chicken pieces are coated and stir-fried with crisp bell peppers, juicy pineapple chunks, and a fragrant garlic-ginger mix. The dish is finished with a luscious homemade sauce combining soy, hoisin, honey, and pineapple juice, thickened to a perfect glaze. Ideal for a quick, satisfying Asian-inspired weeknight meal that pairs beautifully with rice or noodles.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Vegetables
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, drained)
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
Sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ¼ cup pineapple juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (slurry)
Instructions
- Coat the Chicken: Toss the chicken pieces with cornstarch until evenly coated, which will help create a light crust and thicken the sauce later.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5–6 minutes, turning occasionally to brown all sides. Once cooked through, remove the chicken and set aside.
- Stir-Fry Vegetables: In the same skillet, add more oil if necessary and stir-fry the sliced red and green bell peppers for 2–3 minutes until they are slightly tender but still crisp.
- Add Aromatics and Pineapple: Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and pineapple chunks to the skillet. Cook together for another 1–2 minutes to blend the flavors and warm the pineapple.
- Combine Chicken and Vegetables: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet and mix everything well.
- Make and Add Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, and pineapple juice. Pour this sauce mixture into the skillet, stirring to combine thoroughly.
- Thicken the Sauce: Stir in the cornstarch slurry and simmer the mixture for 2–3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat all ingredients evenly.
- Finish and Serve: Sprinkle sliced green onions over the top before serving. Enjoy with steamed rice, noodles, or cauliflower rice as preferred.
Notes
- Serve this dish over steamed rice, noodles, or cauliflower rice for a complete meal.
- For added spice, incorporate red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha into the sauce.
- Fresh pineapple provides the best flavor, but canned drained pineapple is a convenient alternative.
- Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of honey according to taste.
