Pineapple Chicken with Coconut Rice 🍚

Ingredients

1-1/2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces

1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce

1/3 cup pineapple juice

2 Tbsp. brown sugar

2 Tbsp. ketchup

1 shallot, chopped

4 cloves garlic, chopped

1 Tbsp. ginger, grated

1 pinch red pepper flakes

2 Tbsp. sesame oil, or extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

Pineapple Salsa:

2 cups fresh pineapple chunks

1/2 small shallot, finely chopped

1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped

juice of 1 lime

2 Tbsp. fresh thyme leaves

1 avocado, diced

Detailed Steps:

In a glass jar, whisk together the soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, ketchup, shallots, garlic, ginger, and a pinch of chili flakes. Pour 1/3 of the sauce over the chicken and let sit 15 minutes or up to overnight in the fridge.

Meanwhile, make the salsa: combine all ingredients in bowl.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, cook 5 minutes until cooked through on both sides. Reduce the heat to medium and pour in the remaining soy sauce mix. Cook until the sauce glazes the chicken and begins to caramelize, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the cilantro.

Serve the chicken over rice and spoon the salsa over the chicken. Sprinkle on the diced avocado and a squeeze of lime.

Coconut Rice:

Combine 1 (14 oz.) can coconut milk and 1/2 cup water in a medium pot. Bring to a low boil. Add 1 cup basmati rice and a pinch of salt. Stir to combine, cover, then turn the heat down to the lowest setting possible. Allow the rice to cook 10 minutes on low, then turn the heat off completely and let the rice sit, covered for another 15 to 20 minutes (don't take any peeks inside!). Remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork.

Prep Time: 20 mins.

Cook Time: 10 mins.

Total Time: 30 mins.

Servings: 6