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Pineapple Chicken Rice

Pineapple Chicken Rice

The ultimate comfort food! Pineapple Chicken Rice combines succulent grilled chicken with sweet pineapple salsa for a flavor-packed dish. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a summer barbecue, this recipe is sure to impress!
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 pounds pounds chicken breasts or thighs
  • 1/4 cup cup olive oil
  • 2 limes
  • 2 teaspoons teaspoons minced garlic
  • 2 teaspoons teaspoons honey
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon teaspoon ground coriander
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • to grease vegetable oil for greasing grill/grill pan
  • 3 cups cups diced pineapple 18 ounces, most of 1 pineapple; see note 1
  • 1 cup cup cilantro measure loosely packed, then finely dice
  • 2 tablespoons tablespoons finely diced jalapeño
  • 1/2 cup cup diced red onion
  • 1 lime
  • 1/4 teaspoon teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 large avocado finely sliced or diced, see note 2
  • Coconut rice or cilantro-lime rice or quinoa optional, for serving

Equipment

  • Grill
  • Grill Pan
  • Large pan

Method
 

  1. 1. Trim chicken and slice breasts in half widthwise. Pound to an even thickness using a meat mallet or the bottom of a pan. (Not super flat, just even.)
  2. 2. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, 1 tsp lime zest, ¼ cup lime juice, minced garlic, honey, ground cumin, ground coriander, and about ½ tsp each salt and pepper. Set aside 3 tablespoons of the marinade.
  3. 3. Add the rest of the marinade to the chicken in a large resealable bag. Seal and knead to coat evenly. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2–3 hours (no longer than 4 hours).
  4. 4. To cook this on the stovetop, see note 3. Otherwise, heat grill or grill pan to medium-high (about 400°F). Oil the grates well with a paper towel soaked in vegetable oil (use tongs to hold the towel).
  5. 5. Optional: Grill Pineapple. Rub pineapple strips with 1–2 teaspoons vegetable oil. Grill for 2–3 minutes per side, until lightly charred. Let cool slightly, then finely dice.
  6. 6. Remove chicken from the marinade (discard marinade). Grill for 4–6 minutes per side, or until internal temperature is 160°F. Baste with reserved marinade while grilling and after flipping. Transfer to a plate, cover loosely with foil, and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
  7. 7. In a large bowl, combine diced pineapple, cilantro, jalapeño, and red onion. Add 2 tbsp lime juice, ground cumin, and salt & pepper to taste (about ¼ tsp salt and pinch of pepper). Toss gently. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Add a drizzle of honey if you want it sweeter or a drizzle of olive oil if you'd like it richer.
  8. 8. Slice or chop the chicken. Serve over rice with pineapple salsa and diced avocado on top. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Tip 1: You don’t have to grill the pineapple, but it adds amazing sweetness. I cut the peeled, cored pineapple into about 9–10 long strips. After grilling, I slice each strip into 3 long pieces, then dice them small. You’ll likely have extra salsa—it’s great with chips!
  • Tip 2: A ripe avocado adds creamy texture. If you skip the avocado but want something creamy, add a cilantro-lime sauce.
  • Tip 3: For stovetop cooking, heat 2 tbsp oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Let excess marinade drip off the chicken. Cook 2–4 minutes per side until cooked through. Remove from pan and brush with reserved marinade.
  • Tip 4: Store chicken in an airtight container in the fridge and eat within 3–5 days. Keep the salsa refrigerated and use within 1–2 days for the best flavor and texture.