Chinese Pineapple Chicken Recipe: A Delicious Sweet and Sour Dish

If you want a delicious and easy-to-make meal for your family, Chinese Pineapple Chicken is a great option. This dish is a takeout favourite, and with this recipe, you can make it at home in no time. The combination of sweet and sour flavours, juicy pineapple chunks, and tender chicken is sure to please everyone's taste buds.

The key ingredients for this recipe are chicken, pineapple, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, and garlic. These ingredients work together to create a flavourful and well-balanced dish. The preparation steps are also quite simple, making it a great option for busy weeknights.

To make this dish, you'll need to marinate the chicken in a mixture of soy sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, and garlic. Then, you'll stir-fry the chicken and pineapple in a wok or skillet until they are cooked through. Finally, you'll add the sauce and cornstarch mixture to the pan to create a thick, delicious sauce. Serve it over rice, and you'll have a satisfying and flavourful meal that your whole family will love.

Key Takeaways

• Chinese Pineapple Chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make meal that your family will love.
• The key ingredients for this recipe are chicken, pineapple, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, and garlic.
• To make this dish, you'll need to marinate the chicken, stir-fry it with pineapple, and add the sauce and cornstarch mixture to create a thick, delicious sauce.

Key Ingredients

When it comes to making Chinese Pineapple Chicken, there are a few key ingredients that you should pay attention to. Here are some things you should consider:

Chicken Selection

Choosing the right chicken is important for the success of this recipe. You can use boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs. Chicken breast is leaner and healthier, but chicken thighs have more flavor and are juicier. You can use whichever one you prefer, but make sure you cut it into bite-sized pieces for even cooking.

Pineapple Choices

The pineapple is the star of this dish, so it's important to choose the right one. Fresh pineapple is always best, but canned pineapple can also work if fresh is not available. If you're using canned pineapple, make sure it's packed in juice, not syrup. You can also use frozen pineapple chunks if you prefer.

Sauce Components

The sauce is what ties everything together in this recipe. It's a sweet and sour sauce that's made with a combination of pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and cornstarch. You can adjust the sweetness and sourness of the sauce to your liking by adding more or less sugar or vinegar. If you like your sauce spicier, you can add some red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce.

To make the sauce, simply mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and set it aside until you're ready to use it. You'll also need some oil for cooking the chicken, and cornstarch for thickening the sauce.

These are the key ingredients you'll need to make delicious Chinese Pineapple Chicken. With the right chicken, pineapple, and sauce components, you'll be able to create a dish that's full of flavor and perfect for any occasion.

Preparation Steps

Marinating the Chicken

To make Chinese pineapple chicken, you'll need to start by marinating the chicken. This will help to infuse it with flavour and make it tender. Begin by washing and patting dry 500g of chicken breast. Cut it into bite-sized pieces, and place them in a mixing bowl.

Next, add 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the bowl. Mix everything together well, using your hands to ensure that the chicken is evenly coated. Cover the bowl with cling film and leave it in the fridge to marinate for at least 30 minutes.

Preparing the Pineapple

While the chicken is marinating, you can start preparing the pineapple. You'll need 1 cup of fresh pineapple, cut into bite-sized pieces. You can use canned pineapple if you prefer, but fresh pineapple will give you a better flavour.

Cut off the top and bottom of the pineapple, then use a sharp knife to slice off the skin. Cut the pineapple in half lengthways, then cut each half into quarters. Use a small knife to remove the core from each quarter, then cut the pineapple into bite-sized pieces.

Sauce Preparation

Once the chicken has finished marinating, it's time to prepare the sauce. In a small mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup of pineapple juice, 1/4 cup of ketchup, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of soy sauce. Whisk everything together until the sugar has dissolved.

In a separate bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water. Add this mixture to the sauce, whisking continuously. This will help to thicken the sauce and give it a glossy finish.

Final Steps

Now that you've prepared all the ingredients, it's time to start cooking. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken pieces and stir-fry for 5-7 minutes, until they're cooked through and golden brown.

Add the pineapple pieces to the pan, along with the sauce. Stir everything together well, making sure that the chicken and pineapple are evenly coated in the sauce. Cook for a further 2-3 minutes, until the sauce has thickened and the pineapple is slightly caramelised.

Serve the Chinese pineapple chicken hot, garnished with chopped spring onions and sesame seeds. This dish is perfect served with steamed rice or noodles. Enjoy!

Cooking Process

Stir-Frying the Chicken

To start, you'll need to stir-fry the chicken. Heat the oil in a wok over high heat until it's hot but not smoking. Then add the chicken and stir-fry it for a few minutes until it's seared and crispy. You don't want to overcook the chicken, so make sure to keep an eye on it.

Combining Ingredients

Next, it's time to combine the ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix together the pineapple juice, soy sauce, chicken stock, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, and minced garlic. This will be the sauce that you'll add to the chicken later on.

Add the diced pineapple to the pan with the chicken and stir-fry for a minute or two until it's heated through. Then pour the sauce over the chicken and pineapple and stir until everything is well coated.

Finishing Touches

Finally, it's time to add the finishing touches. Let the chicken and pineapple simmer in the sauce for a few minutes until the sauce has thickened and the chicken is fully cooked.

Once the chicken is cooked and the sauce has thickened, it's time to garnish. You can use chopped green onions or sesame seeds to add some extra flavour and texture to the dish. Serve the Chinese Pineapple Chicken hot with rice or noodles.

The cooking process for Chinese Pineapple Chicken is relatively simple and quick. With a cook time of around 30 minutes, it's a perfect dish for a busy weeknight dinner. By stir-frying the chicken and heating the ingredients on high heat, you'll get a deliciously seared and crispy chicken that's coated in a sweet and tangy sauce.

Serving Suggestions

Accompaniments

When it comes to serving Chinese Pineapple Chicken, there are a variety of accompaniments that can make for a complete meal. Rice is the most common accompaniment and is a perfect choice to soak up the delicious sauce. You can use long-grain white rice, jasmine rice, or brown rice. If you are looking for a lower-carb option, you can serve the chicken over cauliflower rice.

To add more veggies to your meal, you can serve the chicken over a bed of stir-fried vegetables. Some excellent options include broccoli, bell peppers, snow peas, and carrots. You can also add some pineapple chunks to the stir-fry for an extra burst of sweetness.

Presentation

Presentation is key when it comes to serving Chinese Pineapple Chicken. You can garnish the dish with some roasted, salted cashews for added crunch and flavour. You can also sprinkle some sesame seeds on top for a nutty taste and a bit of texture.

To make the dish look even more appetizing, you can serve it in a pineapple bowl. Simply cut a pineapple in half, scoop out the flesh, and fill it with the chicken and rice. This is a great way to impress your guests and make the meal feel more special.

There are many ways to serve Chinese Pineapple Chicken. Whether you choose to serve it with rice or stir-fried vegetables, garnish it with cashews or sesame seeds, or present it in a pineapple bowl, this dish is sure to be a hit.

Nutritional Information

If you're watching your calorie intake, you'll be happy to know that Chinese pineapple chicken is a relatively low-calorie meal. A serving of Chinese pineapple chicken contains around 393 calories [1].

This dish is also a good source of protein, with each serving containing around 25g of protein [1]. Protein is essential for building and repairing muscles, and it also helps to keep you feeling full for longer, making it a great choice for those looking to lose weight.

Chinese pineapple chicken is also rich in vitamins and minerals. Pineapple is a great source of vitamin C, which helps to support a healthy immune system [2]. Chicken is an excellent source of vitamin B6, which is important for brain function and the production of red blood cells [3].

If you're looking for a healthy and delicious meal, Chinese pineapple chicken is a great choice. Just be sure to watch your portion sizes and pair it with some healthy sides like steamed vegetables or brown rice to make it a well-rounded meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the secret to a tender chicken in Chinese cooking?

The secret to tender chicken in Chinese cooking is to marinate the chicken in a mixture of cornstarch, soy sauce, and rice wine. This helps to break down the proteins in the chicken, making it more tender.

Is it possible to over-marinate chicken in pineapple juice?

Yes, it is possible to over-marinate chicken in pineapple juice. Pineapple juice contains enzymes that can break down the protein in chicken, which can lead to a mushy texture. It is recommended to marinate chicken in pineapple juice for no more than 30 minutes.

Does pineapple really make chicken more tender?

Yes, pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain which can help to break down the proteins in chicken, making it more tender. However, it is important not to overdo it with the pineapple juice as it can make the chicken mushy.

Can you pair chicken with pineapple in a dish?

Yes, chicken and pineapple are a great flavour combination. The sweetness of the pineapple pairs well with the savoury flavour of the chicken.

What's the best way to serve Chinese pineapple chicken?

Chinese pineapple chicken can be served with steamed rice and stir-fried vegetables. It can also be served as a main dish with a side of egg rolls or spring rolls.

How do you make a simple pineapple chicken stir fry?

To make a simple pineapple chicken stir fry, you will need to sauté chicken in a wok or large skillet until it is cooked through. Add diced pineapple, vegetables such as bell peppers and onions, and a sauce made from pineapple juice, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Stir fry until the vegetables are tender and the sauce has thickened. Serve over rice.