Skip the takeout and whip up this Simple Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry! Featuring succulent chicken, ripe pineapple, crunchy vegetables, and a nutritious homemade teriyaki sauce, all ready in less than half an hour.
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Forget takeout and prepare this vibrant, flavor-loaded Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry from home! Tender, juicy chicken pieces are mixed with crisp broccoli, sweet red bell peppers, fresh pineapple, and a delightful teriyaki sauce that strikes the right balance of sweet, savory, and slightly tangy. This straightforward recipe comes together in one skillet within 30 minutes, making it an ideal weeknight meal that the whole family will enjoy. A wonderful option for summer evenings!
Why You’ll Adore This
- Fast and simple – this entire meal is complete in less than 30 minutes and uses just one pan, perfect for hectic weeknights.
- Flavor-rich – the delightful homemade teriyaki sauce is sweet, savory, and tangy, featuring juicy pineapple in every mouthful.
- Ideal for meal prep – leftovers are even tastier the following day and reheats wonderfully for easy lunches.
- Family-approved – this dish is nutritious, loaded with fresh vegetables, and bursting with flavors that the entire family will appreciate.
Ingredients You Will Require
- chicken – boneless, skinless chicken breasts cook quickly and remain tender when diced into bite-size pieces. Chicken thighs are also a great option if you prefer darker meat.
- olive oil – a small drizzle of olive oil aids in browning the chicken while keeping everything light.
- broccoli – fresh broccoli florets add color, texture, and ample nutrients while holding up beautifully in stir-fries.
- red bell pepper – contributes natural sweetness, vibrant color, and a hint of crunch.
- fresh pineapple – supplies juicy sweetness that complements the savory teriyaki sauce. It also caramelizes slightly while cooking, enhancing the flavor.
- teriyaki sauce – the homemade teriyaki sauce is created using low-sodium soy sauce, fresh pineapple juice, honey (or maple syrup), rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, fresh ginger, and a touch of cornstarch to thicken the sauce.
- green onions – added at the end for a fresh burst of color and mild onion flavor.
- salt and pepper – essential for seasoning the chicken before cooking and enhancing flavor.
How to Prepare Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken
- Prepare the sauce. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, pineapple juice, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and black pepper. In a separate small bowl, whisk the cornstarch and water until smooth, then mix it into the sauce. Set aside.
- Cook the chicken. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then cook for 5 to 6 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked. Move to a plate.
- Cook the veggies. Add the broccoli and bell pepper to the same skillet. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently, until they become crisp-tender. Incorporate the sweet pineapple chunks and return the cooked chicken back to the skillet.
- Incorporate the sauce. Whisk the sauce one more time and pour it into the skillet. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring continuously, until the sauce thickens and adheres to the chicken and vegetables.
- Garnish and serve. Remove from heat and mix in the green onions. Serve over cooked white rice, brown rice, jasmine rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice, and garnish with sesame seeds and additional green onions.
Be sure to check out my fool-proof technique for cooking brown rice perfectly every time in the Instant Pot! Ideal for meal prep and for making pineapple teriyaki chicken bowls!
Tips for the Best Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken
- Cut everything into similar sizes – this ensures the chicken and vegetables cook evenly and each bite has the ideal ingredient balance.
- Avoid overcrowding the skillet – cook the chicken in a single layer for optimal browning instead of steaming. If necessary, cook in two batches.
- Cook the veggies until crisp-tender – you want the broccoli and peppers to retain some crunch for a great texture.
- Stir the cornstarch mixture before adding – cornstarch settles quickly, so give the pineapple teriyaki sauce a final whisk before pouring it into the skillet.
- Allow the sauce to simmer – when crafting your own teriyaki sauce, letting it simmer gently for a few minutes helps it achieve a thick, glossy consistency that perfectly coats everything.
- Add pineapple towards the end – fresh pineapple cooks rapidly and maintains its juiciness if added during the final minutes of cooking.
Variations and Substitutions
- Change the protein – swap chicken breasts for chicken thighs, shrimp, thinly sliced beef, pork tenderloin, tofu, or tempeh.
- Incorporate more vegetables – snap peas, snow peas, mushrooms, carrots, baby corn, zucchini, bok choy, water chestnuts, and edamame are all excellent choices.
- Make it spicy – add heat by including sriracha, red pepper flakes, chili garlic sauce, or diced jalapeños.
- Go for natural sweetness – substitute honey with maple syrup or another natural sweetener. Brown sugar is also a fantastic alternative.
- Gluten-free option – replace soy sauce with gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos to make this dish gluten-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! While fresh pineapple delivers the best flavor and texture, canned pineapple chunks packed in juice (not syrup) work well too. Just drain them thoroughly before adding them to the skillet.
Definitely. Frozen broccoli and stir-fry vegetable mixes can be significant time-savers. You may need to cook them a minute or two longer to eliminate excess moisture.
Yes! This dish is perfect for meal prep. Store the stir fry in glass containers and reheat as needed throughout the week.
You can, though homemade sauces provide a fresher taste and permit you to control the sweetness and sodium levels compared to the store-bought versions.
It should coat the back of a spoon and cling to the chicken and vegetables without appearing watery.
Definitely! It’s filled with lean protein, fresh veggies, and fruit, while using a lighter homemade teriyaki sauce in comparison to many restaurant offerings.
Storage and Meal Prep
- To Store – leftover pineapple teriyaki chicken bowls can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. I enjoy using these glass containers for meal prep.
- To Reheat – heat in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of pineapple juice or water to loosen the sauce, or microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through.
- To Freeze – store leftovers in a sealed airtight freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
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For the Sauce:
Prepare the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, honey, and rice vinegar until well mixed. Set aside.
- Cook the chicken. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, and cook until browned and cooked through, approximately 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Stir fry the vegetables. In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the garlic and ginger, and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the onion, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and broccoli florets. Stir fry the vegetables for around 4-5 minutes until they are tender but still crisp.
Combine ingredients. Bring back the cooked chicken to the skillet along with the vegetables. Add the pineapple chunks.
Add the sauce. Pour the prepared teriyaki sauce over the chicken and vegetables. Mix thoroughly to ensure everything is coated. Add the cornstarch slurry to the skillet and stir until the sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes.
Serve. Take it off the heat and serve the Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry over cooked rice or noodles.
Serving: 1/4th of recipe | Calories: 370kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 1.7g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 720mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 22g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
**Effortless Recipe for Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry**
Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry is a scrumptious meal that merges the delightful sweet and tangy notes of pineapple with the savory flavors of teriyaki sauce, all combined with tender chicken and crisp vegetables. This recipe is not only tasty but quick and easy to execute, making it ideal for a weeknight dinner. Here’s a detailed guide to crafting this flavorful stir fry.
**Ingredients:**
– 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, chopped into bite-sized pieces
– 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks (or canned, drained)
– 1 red bell pepper, sliced
– 1 green bell pepper, sliced
– 1 cup broccoli florets
– 1 small onion, sliced
– 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Cooked rice or noodles, for serving
**For the Teriyaki Sauce:**
– 1/4 cup soy sauce
– 1/4 cup pineapple juice (reserved from the canned pineapple, if using)
– 2 tablespoons brown sugar
– 1 tablespoon honey
– 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
– 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Teriyaki Sauce:**
– In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, honey, and rice vinegar, whisking until well combined.
– Set aside.
2. **Cook the Chicken:**
– Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
– Stir in the chicken pieces, seasoned with salt and pepper, and cook until browned and thoroughly cooked, about 5-7 minutes.
– Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
3. **Stir Fry the Vegetables:**
– In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil.
– Introduce the garlic and ginger, sautéing for approximately 30 seconds until aromatic.
– Add the onion, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and broccoli florets.
– Stir fry the vegetables for about 4-5 minutes until they become tender-crisp.
4. **Combine Ingredients:**
– Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the vegetables.
– Add in the pineapple chunks.
5. **Add the Sauce:**
– Drizzle the prepared teriyaki sauce over the chicken and vegetables.
– Stir thoroughly to coat all the contents.
– Add the cornstarch slurry to the skillet and stir until the sauce thickens, around 1-2 minutes.
6. **Serve:**
– Remove from heat and serve the Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry atop cooked rice or noodles.
This Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry embodies the perfect combination of sweet and savory tastes, with the pineapple introducing a refreshing twist to the classic teriyaki chicken. Relish this dish as a quick and fulfilling meal that the entire family will adore.
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