Coconut Pineapple Chicken Bowls (Printable)

Tender chicken paired with sweet pineapple and coconut-infused jasmine rice, topped with fresh herbs and a tangy finish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Coconut Rice

01 - 1 cup jasmine rice
02 - 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
03 - 1 cup water
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Chicken

05 - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
06 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
07 - 1 tablespoon lime juice
08 - 1 tablespoon honey
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
12 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Pineapple and Vegetables

13 - 1 1/2 cups fresh pineapple, diced
14 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
15 - 1 cup snap peas, trimmed
16 - 2 green onions, sliced

→ Garnish

17 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
18 - 1 tablespoon toasted shredded coconut
19 - 1 lime, cut into wedges

# Directions:

01 - Rinse jasmine rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, combine rice, coconut milk, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
02 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, lime juice, honey, olive oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and black pepper. Add chicken pieces and toss to coat evenly. Let marinate for at least 10 minutes while rice cooks.
03 - Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken and discard excess marinade. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
04 - In the same skillet, add a splash of oil if needed. Add red bell pepper and snap peas, sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until just tender. Stir in pineapple and cook for another 2 minutes to heat through.
05 - Divide coconut rice among four serving bowls. Top with sautéed vegetables and pineapple, then add cooked chicken.
06 - Top each bowl with green onions, cilantro, toasted coconut, and lime wedges. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The whole thing comes together in 45 minutes, so dinner won't derail your evening plans.
  • Coconut rice soaks up all the flavors, making each bite taste more indulgent than it actually is.
  • It's naturally dairy-free and adapts beautifully to whatever protein or vegetables you have on hand.
02 -
  • Don't skip marinating the chicken—I learned this the hard way when I rushed; marinating actually tenderizes the meat and lets the flavors penetrate instead of just sitting on the surface.
  • Fresh pineapple makes an enormous difference; canned tastes muted and watery by comparison, and this dish deserves the real thing.
  • If your coconut rice tastes flat, you probably didn't use full-fat coconut milk or you skipped the salt—both are essential for proper flavor development.
03 -
  • If your chicken feels dry after cooking, you either cooked it too long or cut the pieces too thick—aim for consistent, small cubes and pull the pan off heat the moment it reaches 165°F internally.
  • Toasting your shredded coconut in a dry pan for 1-2 minutes before garnishing amplifies its flavor and gives you better texture than raw.
  • Make the marinade a day ahead and you can marinate overnight for even more flavor development, though 10 minutes works fine if you're in a rush.
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