20-Minute Pineapple Chicken

Last updated on April 12th, 2025 at 06:38 pm

Craving a quick and tasty dinner that packs a flavorful punch? Then this pineapple chicken is your answer! In just 20 minutes, you’ll have a mouthwatering dish that combines tender chicken with juicy pineapple, crisp veggies, and a sweet and savory sauce. This easy recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re looking to impress without spending hours in the kitchen.

20-Minute Pineapple Chicken

Let’s get started on this tasty, 20-minute recipe!

Here’s everything you need to make our pineapple chicken!

The first step, after prepping your ingredients, is to cook the cubed chicken. 

Next, add the broccoli florets, chopped red bell pepper, and pineapple to the pan. Cook, and stir for about five additional minutes until the vegetables are tender.

While the chicken and vegetables are cooking, you can make the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, pineapple juice, sesame oil, minced garlic, honey, ground ginger, and cornstarch.

Pour the sauce into a small pan, and simmer until the sauce thickens.

Next, pour the sauce over the cooked veggies and chicken.

Toss to combine the sauce and chicken/vegetables, and garnish with toasted sesame seeds, if you’d like.

This dish is delicious served over rice. You can also add scallions or parsley for a finishing touch.

Pineapple Chicken Variations

You can easily modify this pineapple chicken recipe to fit your family’s tastes. Here are some ideas:

• Swap out the chicken breast for chicken thighs, or try shrimp or pork.
• Add other vegetables like green or orange bell peppers, mushrooms, snap peas, bean sprouts, water chestnuts, red onion, or fresh garlic.
• Change up the sauce. Try red wine vinegar, sesame oil, black pepper, kosher salt, fish sauce, hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, or teriyaki sauce. Experiment!

Recipe Notes

• We like to serve this pineapple chicken over a bed of steamed rice to soak up all that sweet and savory sauce–and make the meal extra hearty. Make the rice in the Instant Pot with this simple recipe.
• Let the dish sit for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken slightly.
• This flavorful chicken dish is perfect on its own, but you can also pair it with a side of crispy egg rolls or a fresh, crunchy salad to round out the meal.
• If you’re looking to add a bit of zing, sprinkle some crushed red pepper over the top to balance out the sweetness of the pineapple.
• Garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds for a pop of color and extra flavor.
• Enjoy this dish with a light, refreshing beverage like iced green tea or sparkling water for a complete dining experience!
• Double the recipe, and freeze the extra batch. (Check out more freezer meals here.)

How to Store and Reheat Pineapple Chicken

• You can keep your leftover pineapple chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four or five days.
• Heat leftovers in the microwave. Start with 30-second increments until the chicken is warmed through.

Print Pin

20-Minute Pineapple Chicken

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

Ingredients:

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 4 chicken breasts), cut into bite-sized cubes
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 red bell pepper chopped
• 2 cups fresh pineapple cut into bite-sized pieces
• sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds optional

Sauce Ingredients:

• ¼ cup soy sauce certified gluten free if necessary
• ¼ cup pineapple juice
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

• Add a tablespoon of avocado oil to a large skillet on medium heat. Once the oil begins to shimmer, add the cubed chicken to the hot pan. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper and cook for about 4-5 minutes.
• Add broccoli, chopped red bell pepper and pineapple to the pan. Stir and continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
• While chicken and vegetables are cooking, prepare the sauce. Add soy sauce, pineapple juice, sesame oil, honey, minced garlic, ground ginger and cornstarch to a small bowl. Whisk to combine.
• Pour the sauce into a small saucepan on medium heat. Allow the liquid to come to a simmer. Whisk and continue cooking for about 3-4 minutes or until the sauce begins to thicken.
• Pour the sauce over the cooked chicken and vegetables. Toss to combine.
• Serve pineapple chicken over rice, if desired. Garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds.

Notes

Canned pineapple may be easily swapped for fresh in this dish.

Sprinkling on some crushed red pepper will help to balance out the sweetness in this dish if you like a little spice.

There you have it–another fantastic recipe to add to your meal rotation! Let us know how you like it.

Also read:
Easy Instant Pot / Ninja Foodi White Rice Recipe
Instant Pot Chicken Lo Mein
Easy Air Fryer Frozen Egg Rolls

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