Tropical Sweet Spicy Chicken Rice (Printable)
Sweet and spicy chicken with pineapple, mango and fluffy rice for a bright, balanced dinner.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
→ Rice
02 - 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice, rinsed
→ Vegetables & Fruits
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 1 cup fresh pineapple, diced
05 - 1 mango, peeled and diced
06 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 small red chili, finely chopped (optional)
→ Sauce & Seasonings
09 - 3 tablespoons gluten-free soy sauce
10 - 2 tablespoons honey
11 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
12 - 1 tablespoon sriracha or sweet chili sauce
13 - 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
14 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
15 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Oil & Garnish
16 - 2 tablespoons neutral cooking oil (such as canola or sunflower)
17 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
18 - 2 tablespoons toasted cashews or peanuts (optional)
# Step-by-step:
01 - Cook long grain white rice according to package directions using a medium saucepan. Fluff with a fork and keep warm until serving.
02 - In a mixing bowl, combine gluten-free soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sriracha or sweet chili sauce, grated ginger, salt, and black pepper. Whisk well and set aside.
03 - Heat 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, lightly season with salt, and sauté for 6 to 8 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
04 - Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the skillet. Sauté sliced red onion, minced garlic, and finely chopped red chili for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant.
05 - Stir in diced red bell pepper and cook for another 2 minutes, allowing the pepper to soften slightly.
06 - Add diced pineapple and mango to the skillet, cooking for an additional 2 minutes until just heated through.
07 - Return sautéed chicken to the skillet. Pour prepared sauce over the mixture and toss thoroughly to coat. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the ingredients are evenly heated and the sauce thickens slightly.
08 - Serve the sweet and spicy chicken and fruit mixture over a warm bed of rice. Garnish with fresh cilantro and toasted cashews or peanuts, if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sweet and spicy balance hits every craving at once without feeling overwhelming
- It comes together faster than delivery and makes your kitchen smell incredible
02 -
- Overcrowding the pan when cooking chicken will steam it instead of sear it
- The sauce thickens quickly off heat so remove from flame promptly
03 -
- Pat the chicken completely dry before cooking for the best sear
- Let the sauce reduce slightly for that restaurant-style glaze consistency