Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry

During the winter months, we often indulge in lots of cozy (and at times heavy) comfort food dishes. As much as I love stews, casseroles, and biscuits, sometimes I crave something more on the light and bright side. That’s where this Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry recipe comes in.

This healthy stir fry dish features a mouth-watering combination of savory, sweet, sour, and tangy flavors. It’s packed with fresh vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, and onions, which amp up not only the flavor profile, but the nutrient profile as well.

You can switch up the vegetables and even the protein depending on what you’re in the mood for and what you have at home. Stir fry dishes are super customizable, so have fun with it! Some other favorite chicken stir-fries include this Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry, Chicken and Cabbage Stir Fry, or Chicken and Asparagus Stir Fry. 

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This Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry works great as a healthy meal prep for easy lunches and dinners throughout the week. It’s also the perfect dish to enjoy when you’re craving take-out for dinner, but want to keep things on the lighter side. Serve it as is or pair it with some rice or noodles for an ultra-satisfying meal the whole family will enjoy.

Key Ingredients and Easy Swaps

To prepare this vibrant stir fry recipe, you will need the following key ingredients:

• Chicken Breast: My protein of choice for this dish is chicken breast, which you’ll want to cut into small chunks. Not feeling chicken? Feel free to swap it out for shrimp, thinly cut steak, or tofu for a vegetarian option.
• Pineapple: The undeniable star of the show! Pineapple adds the perfect touch of natural sweetness and bright, bold flavor to round out the rich, savory flavors. Fresh, frozen, and canned will all work fine; just make sure to drain it well first.
• Vegetables: I like to add broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, and red onions to this dish. That being said, you can use any veggies you have laying around. Other great options include mushrooms, snow peas, zucchini, and green beans.
• Soy Sauce: I use low-sodium soy sauce. For gluten-free, swap it out for tamari. For soy-free, swap it out for coconut aminos.
• Pineapple juice: This is essential for brightening up the sauce and adding tons of beautiful tropical flavor to the mix.
• Rice wine vinegar: The acidity in the rice vinegar is subtle enough that it doesn’t overpower the dish while helping to enhance the overall flavor of the dish.
• Cornstarch: This helps to thicken up the sauce, allowing it to thoroughly coat everything. To keep this dish gluten-free, swap this out for arrowroot powder.

Recipe Ideas

Follow these tips and tricks to help you make the best healthy stir fry every time:

• Swap out the protein: Don’t have any chicken at home? You can substitute it with beef, pork, shrimp, or even tofu.
• Mix and match your veggies: One of the reasons I love stir fry so much is that you can prepare it with any kind of veggies you like, depending on what you have at home. Feel free to toss in any of your favorites!
• Increase the heat: Lover of all things spicy? Try adding some sriracha or Asian chili garlic paste to the sauce to kick things up a notch.
• Add a garnish: Don’t miss out by skipping out on the garnishes. Adding sesame seeds, fresh herbs, cashews, and chopped green onions just before serving the dish goes a long way in increasing the ‘wow’ factor.

What to Serve With Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry

This is one of those dishes you can enjoy on its own as a low-carb lunch or dinner, on top of rice or noodles for a more filling meal, or paired with a side salad for a perfectly balanced combination of flavors.

As customizable as the recipe is in itself, so are the dishes you can serve it with. Mix and match with your favorite side dishes and appetizers for a delicious feast your family is guaranteed to fall in love with!

Not sure where to start? Here are some of my favorite dishes to serve with stir fry:

• Grains. You really can’t go wrong serving this stir fry recipe over a bed of brown rice, cauliflower rice, or quinoa. These foods are perfect for soaking up all of the amazing juices and are packed with fiber for a super satisfying meal.
• Noodles. Rice noodles, soba noodles, and even ramen noodles are fantastic for serving underneath a helping of delicious stir fry. For a low-carb meal, try pairing this dish with some stir-fried zucchini noodles.
• Salad. For a light and refreshing side dish, serve this dish alongside a simple side salad. Some of my top picks include my Easy Cucumber Salad, Easy Spring Mix Salad, and this Lighter Asian Noodle Salad.

How to Store This Dish

If you’re looking for a dish to clean out the fridge, this is a fantastic choice. It’s easy to whip up, making it a wonderful dish for meal prep. Make a big batch of cauliflower rice, brown rice, or quinoa to serve alongside it and you’ve got healthy meals all week long!

To store this dish, allow it to first cool down to room temperature. Then, you can transfer it to an airtight storage container and store it in one of two ways:

• In the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
• In the freezer for up to 3 months.