Easy Pineapple Chicken Fried Rice
Pineapple Chicken Fried Rice is a super easy and creative way to enjoy a combination of fresh pineapple and chicken fried rice cooked in a traditional sauce blend. You not only get to enjoy those summertime flavors, but you’ll feel as though you stepped right into vacation mode — especially when you get to eat it directly from inside of the pineapple!
Nothing says freshness like a whole pineapple! This is why recipes such as these are fun to make. You can get the entire family involved, and the result is a dish that tastes just as good as it looks. Loading all the goodness from the ingredients into a pineapple “boat” will most definitely make this dish Instagram-worthy.
And why not turn a typical side dish of fried rice into the main course? Cooking this dish with flavorful chicken breast, veggies, and eggs will make this a full meal in itself.
And let’s not forget about the sauce that brings this all home. It’s a traditional take on the flavors you get from that delicious Chinese takeout. Follow that up with a touch of sweetness from the fresh pineapple, and I think we have a winner.
Ingredients you’ll need to make this fried rice recipe:
- Since rice is the most important aspect of this recipe, let’s begin with that. I find that regular white rice or Jasmine rice work best with this recipe. You’ll season your cooked rice with ground ginger, garlic powder, black pepper, Himalayan pink salt, and onion powder.
- Next up is the chicken. You’ll need boneless chicken breast and a simple blend of smoked paprika, black pepper, and Himalayan pink salt to season.
- And you can’t make pineapple fried rice without pineapple. If you plan to use the whole pineapple to create a serving “boat,” you’ll need a whole fresh pineapple. However, if you are serving it on a platter or in a bowl, you can forgo the whole pineapple for fresh pre-cut pineapple chunks.
- Keeping in with the “keep in simple” theme, grab a frozen blend of carrots, corn, and peas.
- To give the fried rice that Chinese takeout flavor, the sauce you’ll blend into the recipe is quite traditional. You’ll need low-sodium soy sauce, vegetarian oyster sauce (you can use the regular version as well), Chinese cooking wine, sesame oil, and minced garlic.
- In the end, we’ll fold in the scrambled eggs.
How to make pineapple chicken fried rice:
This easy fried rice recipe comes together quickly. Plus, it’s totally customizable, so you can make it your own:
- Slice your whole pineapple in half, cut through the pineapple vertically and horizontally, and use a large spoon to scoop out and remove the pineapple from the inside.
- Cook your seasoned chicken and set it to the side for a later step.
- In your wok, sauté your frozen veggies. Any diced vegetable is great in this step, so feel free to swap out for your favorites.
- Add in your cooked chicken.
- Add cooked cold day-old rice and fold in your rice seasonings. Fried rice is typically made with white long-grain rice, but you can substitute Jasmine, basmati, and even brown rice.
- Add that delicious sauce! If you don’t have Chinese cooking wine, you can substitute dry sherry. And don’t forget about the garlic!
- Add those chunky pieces of pineapple.
- Move everything to the side and scramble your egg in the middle of the wok or pan. You can also quickly scramble your eggs in a separate pan and fold them into your rice.
- Toss everything together and serve in your pineapple boat.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need a wok to make fried rice? It’s not required. A skillet will work just fine. Using a wok helps keep the rice in check, so it doesn’t fly all over the place while you’re combing your ingredients.
- Why does my rice have to be cold? When rice is hot and fresh out of the pot, it has a very soft texture. It’s simply too wet, and the rice will clump together and may even crumble or break. Using cold, day-old rice eliminates this problem. The rice will dry out and stay uniform and whole for the perfect fried rice!
So when you’re looking for a quick and easy meal idea or something perfect for a small gathering, try out this Pineapple Chicken Fried Rice. It’s a complete meal, and it looks fantastic!
If you love fried rice, you’ll also enjoy :
- Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto
- Arancini (Italian Rice Balls) with Ranch Pesto Sauce
- Quick & Easy Chicken & Sausage Jambalaya
Easy Pineapple Chicken Fried Rice
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 3 1x
Description
Pineapple Chicken Fried Rice is a easy and fun way to enjoy a combination of pineapple and chicken fried rice cooked in a traditional sauce.
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked rice (1 cup uncooked rice)
- 1 whole pineapple
- 1 lb boneless chicken breast
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp sea salt, divided
- 2 tsp Black pepper, divided
- 1 cup packaged carrots, corn, and peas mix, frozen
- 3 eggs
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 3 tbsp minced garlic
- 2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp vegetarian oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp Shaoxing (Chinese) cooking wine
- 2 tsp pure sesame oil
Instructions
- Cook your rice according to instructions. Allow the rice to cool completely by placing it in the fridge for at least an hour. Cold, day-old rice is best.
- Cut the whole pineapple in half lengthwise. Slice the inside of the pineapple vertically and horizontally, and remove the pineapple by scooping out it with a spoon. You’ll use the pineapple core as a serving “boat” in a later step, so don’t discard it.
- Cut chicken breast into cubes and season evening with smoked paprika,1/2 tsp sea salt, and 1 tsp pepper.Â
- Heat a wok or large skillet to medium-high heat and cook chicken for 5 minutes or until all pink is removed. Remove from heat.Â
- Add carrot, corn, and peas, mix into the wok, and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes.Â
- In a small bowl, scramble your eggs. Move your veggies to one side of your wok and place the butter in the center of the wok. Add eggs to the center and scramble.
- Add cold rice, chicken, ground ginger, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, minced garlic, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp sea salt into your wok and mix. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add low-sodium soy sauce, vegetarian oyster sauce, Chinese cooking wine, and sesame oil into a small bowl, then whisk (paid link). Fold sauce into other ingredients.
- Toss diced pineapples into the wok. Remove from heat and serve by placing the fried rice in the hollow pineapple half.Â
Notes
If you are serving it on a platter or win a bowl, you can forgo the whole pineapple for fresh pre-cut pineapple chunks.
If you don’t have Chinese cooking wine, you can substitute dry sherry.
You can also quickly scramble your eggs in a separate pan and fold them into your rice.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Comfort Food
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Calories: 716
- Sugar: 20.8g
- Sodium: 824mg
- Fat: 824mg
- Carbohydrates: 78.1g
- Fiber: 3.6g
- Protein: 56.6g
- Cholesterol: 285mg