Tropical Sweet Spicy Chicken Rice (Printable version)
Sweet and spicy chicken with pineapple, mango and bell pepper, tossed in honey-sriracha and served over fluffy rice.
# 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 for extra heat)
→ Sauce & Seasonings
09 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce (use gluten-free if needed)
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 (canola or sunflower)
17 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
18 - 2 tablespoons toasted cashews or peanuts (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Cook the long grain white rice according to the package instructions. Fluff with a fork and keep warm.
02 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sriracha or sweet chili sauce, grated ginger, salt, and ground black pepper until well combined. Set aside.
03 - Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add chicken, season lightly with salt, and sauté for 6 to 8 minutes until golden and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
04 - Add the remaining oil to the skillet. Add red onion, garlic, and red chili, and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant.
05 - Add diced red bell pepper and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
06 - Stir in diced pineapple and mango. Cook for 2 minutes until the fruit is just heated through.
07 - Return the chicken to the skillet. Pour the prepared sauce over the mixture and toss until all ingredients are coated. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until everything is hot and the sauce thickens slightly.
08 - Serve the chicken and fruit mixture over a bed of cooked rice. Garnish with chopped cilantro and toasted cashews or peanuts, if desired.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- The sauce strikes this perfect balance that keeps you going back for just one more bite
- It comes together in under an hour but tastes like something from a tropical vacation
02 -
- Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking the chicken, it will steam instead of getting that nice golden sear
- The sauce thickens quickly once it hits the hot pan, so have everything ready before you pour it in
03 -
- Have all your ingredients prepped before you start cooking, this moves fast once you get going
- Toast your nuts in a dry pan for 2 minutes before garnishing, it makes such a difference in flavor