Pineapple Chicken Fried Rice (Printable Version)
Tender chicken with pineapple, cashews, and veggies in a flavorful Thai-style fried rice.
# What You Need:
→ Protein & Eggs
01 - 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 2 large eggs
→ Vegetables & Fruit
03 - 1 1/2 cups fresh pineapple diced or canned drained
04 - 1 red bell pepper diced
05 - 1 cup frozen peas and carrots thawed
06 - 2 green onions sliced
07 - 2 cloves garlic minced
→ Rice & Nuts
08 - 4 cups cooked jasmine rice chilled preferably day-old
09 - 3/4 cup unsalted roasted cashews
→ Sauces & Seasonings
10 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
11 - 1 tablespoon fish sauce
12 - 1 tablespoon oyster sauce or vegetarian oyster sauce
13 - 1 teaspoon curry powder
14 - 1/2 teaspoon white pepper or black pepper
15 - 1 tablespoon sugar
16 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
17 - Lime wedges for serving
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large wok or nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 4–5 minutes. Transfer to a plate and reserve.
02 - Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the wok. Add minced garlic and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
03 - Push garlic to one side of the pan. Crack eggs into the empty space and scramble quickly until just set but still moist.
04 - Add diced red bell pepper, thawed peas and carrots, and pineapple chunks. Stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
05 - Add chilled jasmine rice to the wok, breaking up any clumps with a spatula. Return the cooked chicken to the pan and toss to distribute evenly.
06 - Pour in soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, curry powder, white pepper, and sugar. Toss everything thoroughly to combine and heat through for 2–3 minutes, ensuring rice is evenly coated and hot.
07 - Stir in roasted cashews and sliced green onions. Remove from heat immediately. Serve hot with fresh lime wedges on the side for squeezing.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sweet pineapple and salty soy sauce create that magical flavor balance that keeps everyone reaching for seconds
- It comes together in under 20 minutes once your ingredients are prepped, perfect for those nights when cooking feels like too much effort
02 -
- Day old rice is absolutely essential for restaurant style texture, fresh rice will turn into a gummy disappointment no matter how carefully you cook it
- Have all your ingredients prepped and measured before you turn on the stove, fried rice comes together fast and there is no time to chop once you start cooking
03 -
- Preheat your wok until it is smoking slightly before adding oil, this prevents sticking and creates better sear marks on your ingredients
- Season at the end of cooking, not throughout, to prevent the rice from becoming soggy or overly salty