🍍🍗 Pineapple Chicken and Rice
Mediterranean-inspired, sweet-savory, light yet comforting
⏱ Time
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Prep: 15 minutes
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Cook: 30 minutes
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Serves: 4–5
🧾 Ingredients
Chicken
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500 g (1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, bite-size pieces
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2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tsp paprika
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½ tsp dried oregano
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¼ tsp ground black pepper
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Salt, to taste
Rice & Vegetables
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1½ cups long-grain rice (basmati or jasmine)
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3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
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1 cup fresh pineapple chunks (or canned in juice, drained)
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1 red bell pepper, diced
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1 small onion, finely chopped
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½ cup green peas (optional)
Mediterranean-Style Sauce
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2 tbsp tomato paste
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1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
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1 tbsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
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½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
Garnish
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Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
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Toasted sesame seeds or sliced almonds (optional)
👩🍳 Instructions
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Season & Sear Chicken
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Toss chicken with paprika, oregano, pepper, and salt.
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Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat.
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Sear chicken until lightly golden (3–4 minutes). Remove and set aside.
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Sauté Aromatics
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In the same pan, add onion and bell pepper. Cook until softened.
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Add garlic and stir for 30 seconds.
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Build the Base
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Stir in rice and tomato paste; cook 1 minute to coat grains.
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Add broth, honey, lemon juice, and chili flakes. Bring to a gentle boil.
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Simmer
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Return chicken to the pot.
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Cover and simmer on low for 15 minutes.
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Add Pineapple
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Stir in pineapple and peas.
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Cover and cook another 5 minutes, until rice is tender and liquid absorbed.
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Rest & Serve
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Remove from heat and let rest 5 minutes.
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Fluff with a fork and garnish with herbs and seeds.
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🌟 Serving Ideas
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Pair with cucumber-tomato salad or steamed greens
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Great as a one-pot family dinner or meal-prep dish
🥗 Nutrition Notes
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Balanced sweet-savory flavors
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Lean protein + complex carbs
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Olive oil & herbs keep it Mediterranean-friendly
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Naturally dairy-free
