This Spicy Pineapple Chicken is a one-pan dish that is loaded with sweet & spicy flavor. Tender chicken, crisp peppers and juicy pineapple are cooked in a perfect asian inspired sauce. Serve over rice (or cauliflower rice) for a delicious healthy meal that packs a punch!
*Originally published 2018; recipe & post updated 12/2020
What You Need:
- Chicken Thighs
- Coconut Aminos – this is a Whole30 compliant alternative to soy sauce. If not doing a round, you can use Tamari (gluten free soy sauce) as well
- Pineapple Juice & Chunks
- Hot Sauce – use Frank’s for Whole30 or sriracha if not doing a round
- Lime Juice
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Pepper Flakes
- Jalapeno
- Bell Peppers
- Arrowroot Flour – this is a Whole30 compliant thickener. Can also use cornstarch if not doing a round.
Let’s Cook:
- Make the sauce by adding the coconut aminos, pineapple juice, lime juice, hot sauce, garlic, ginger and pepper flakes to a bowl. Whisk to combine.
- Use sharp kitchen shears to cube your chicken thighs. Season with some salt and pepper. Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium/high heat. Brown the chicken for 4-5 minutes and then set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium and add a little more oil. Then add the bell peppers, red onion and jalapeño. Sauté for 3 minutes. Then the chicken gets added back in with the drained pineapple. Cook for 3 minutes.
- Pour the sauce into the skillet. Make a slurry of arrowroot starch and water and add to the skillet. Bring sauce to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Simmer until sauce thickens and chicken is cooked through.
- When done, serve over cauliflower rice (for Whole30) or regular rice (not Whole30) and top with fresh green onions.
Updates to the Recipe:
- The original recipe uses the sauce as a marinade, but I found using it as a thickened sauce to coat everything gives even more flavor in each bite
- The chicken is seasoned with salt and pepper and browned in the new recipe. This adds flavor and gives the chicken better texture
- I added bell peppers to the dish to add texture, color and flavor
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Instant Pot Indian Butter Chicken
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Spicy Pineapple Chicken
This Spicy Pineapple Chicken is a one-pan dish that is loaded with sweet & spicy flavor. Tender chicken, crisp peppers and juicy pineapple are cooked in a perfect asian inspired sauce.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Chicken Thighs cubed
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 Tbls Fresh Ginger grated
- 3/4 cup Coconut Aminos
- 2 Tbls Hot Sauce
- 1/2 cup Pineapple Juice
- 1/2 tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- 2 Tbls Avocado Oil or olive oil
- 1/2 Red Onion cut into chunks
- 2 Jalapeños sliced
- 1 14.5 Can Pineapple Chunks drained
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 Lime
- 2 Tbls Green Onion
- 1 Red Bell Pepper
- 1 Green Bell Pepper
- 1 Tbls Arrowroot Starch
- 1 Tbls Water
Instructions
- Drain the pineapple reserving 1/2 cup of the juiceMake the sauce by adding the coconut aminos, pineapple juice, lime juice, hot sauce, garlic, ginger and pepper flakes to a bowl. Whisk to combine.
- Use sharp kitchen shears to cube your chicken thighs. Season with some salt and pepper. Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium/high heat. Brown the chicken for 4-5 minutes and then set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium and add a little more oil. Then add the bell peppers, red onion and jalapeño. Sauté for 3 minutes. Then the chicken gets added back in with the drained pineapple. Cook for 3 minutes.
- Pour the sauce into the skillet. Whisk together arrowroot starch and water and add to the skillet. Bring sauce to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Simmer until sauce thickens and chicken is cooked through.
- When done, serve over cauliflower rice (for Whole30) or regular rice (not Whole30) and top with fresh green onions.
Nutrition
Calories: 414kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 148mg | Sodium: 1318mg | Potassium: 456mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 932IU | Vitamin C: 57mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 414kcal
Such a yummy and easy recipe! Very clean and my whole family loved!!!! I will definitely make again soon!
So glad to hear this Allyson!
Hi, is the calorie count per serving or 387 is for the 6 servings?
Hi Chelsea, that is for one serving
I love this recipe so much! It was super easy to make took me no time at all, tasted amazing! I served mine with cauliflower rice and I feel really good about eating something that tasted good that I know was good for me! Thank you for all your hard work and these amazing recipes that you perfect!
Thank you for sharing Jesseca, I am so glad that you enjoyed it!
I received feedback that this is one of the best dishes I have EVER made!! And it was easy to make and easy clean up! Thank you! Will definitely be making again!
Thank you for sharing Madi, so happy to hear that 🙂
I changed this to an Instant Pot recipe by setting to sauté and adding the onion and chopped jalapeños. I took the marinated chicken from the fridge and added to the pot. I popped the lid on and pressure cooked for 7 minutes. After releasing the air, I added the pineapple chunks, salt and lime. Cooked on sauté once again for a few minutes before serving over rice with broccoli (I’m not following paleo diet!) Great recipe!
So glad to hear you enjoyed it Jen and I love that you made it an IP dish!
Tried this earlier and loved it. Making it again! Delicious!
I am so glad to hear this Jessica, thank you for sharing!
Would this recipe work with chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, you can use cubed breasts instead and it will still be delicious!
This is one of my favorites, I’ve made your recipe many times and I always love it!!
So glad to hear this Amanda, thank you for sharing!
This is the first recipe that I made. I stumbled across you on Instagram and this just looked delish. IT SO WAS. Totally satisfied my chinese good cravings and hubby…who can pick out all the healthy swaps I do (aka coconut aminos for soy sauce etc) ….. LOVED IT….so double win! Perfectly sweet, a little spice….so nice 🙂
Added carrots and celery to bulk up the veggies and added some chopped peanuts and cilantro on top. But really, the true gem here is the sauce!
Served for family and everyone loved it. Husband says it’s a must to do again!
Thank you
Love that you added in more veggies and so glad you enjoyed it!