Healthy Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry

This pineapple chicken stir fry recipe is made with whole ingredients such as chopped bell peppers, broccoli florets, pineapple chunks, and chicken, of course! The stir fry sauce is naturally sweetened with pineapple juice and topped off with a dash of sesame seeds. No regrets!

Sweet Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry

Sometimes, I’ll have this crazy craving for Chinese takeout. Does that happen to you?

I usually bounce back and forth between healthy cashew chicken and this recipe for pineapple chicken. I always love a good stir fry! And, I can already tell that you are going to love this healthy weeknight dinner with minimal ingredients!

Pineapple chicken has simple, healthy ingredients. It can be easily made with recipes you probably already have in your pantry and fridge. If you are following a gluten-free diet or have an allergy, choose tamari over soy sauce.

As far as the stir fry sauce goes, I love finding ways to sweeten my recipes without using cane sugar. Pineapple not only adds beauty to this recipe, but it is so sweet that you don’t need any white or brown sugar. In fact, this tastes incredible that you might never want to order takeout again!

Okay, maybe I can’t exactly promise that, but I can tell you that the flavors are bigger, bolder, and better!

Ultimately, I created this sweet chicken recipe because I really wanted a healthy alternative to some of my favorite Chinese takeout dishes. Well, what I made actually tastes better than takeout – try it for yourself and see!

Ingredients In This Stir Fry

This recipe only uses simple and healthy ingredients. The entire list is in the printable recipe card a little further below.

• Avocado Oil: Use this to cook the chicken in the frying pan. I used about 2 tablespoons.
• Chicken Breasts: Dice the chicken before you cook them because that will make them cook faster. For this recipe, I used a little over a pound. You can also use boneless chicken thighs instead.
• Onion: Use your favorite type of onion. I diced a small red onion because it is sweeter and has a lot of flavor.
• Bell Peppers: Dice both red and yellow peppers. This adds color and nutrition to the stir fry. You can also add some green bell peppers if you want.
• Broccoli: Use as much broccoli as you like and chop it up into small florets. The smaller the florets, the easier and quicker it will cook.
• Pineapple Chunks: I used the entire 20-ounce can of pineapple chunks in this stir fry. Remember to drain it first and keep the juice to use in the sauce. I went with a canned version because they tend to be sweeter. You never really know when you use a fresh pineapple.
• Sesame Seeds: Just sprinkle them on top to add a garnish (and a bit more flavor).
• Rice Wine Vinegar: You’ll need about 1/4 cup.
• Soy Sauce: Use low-sodium if you are trying to consume less salt. If you are gluten-free, swap with tamari sauce. Either way, you’ll need about 1/3 cup.
• Sesame Oil: This helps all the other ingredients really pop! You only need 1.5 tablespoons as a little bit goes a long way.
• Arrowroot: Add about 2 tablespoons to the stir fry towards the end. This will help the sauce thicken up.

Kitchen Tools Required For This Stir Fry

Another thing I love about this recipe is that it doesn’t require lots of appliances. Here’s what I used to make it:

• Chef’s Knife
• Cutting Board
• Large Skillet or Wok
• Whisk

For measuring, you will need 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, and 1 tablespoon.

How To Make Easy Healthy Stir Fry

Even if you haven’t ever made stir fry before, this recipe could not be any simpler. Anyone can make it!

First, chop up everything – the veggies and the chicken. Then, cook your chicken in a large pan with the avocado oil.

After the chicken is completely cooked, remove it from the pan and drain all the extra liquid.

In the same pan, add other tbsp of avocado oil and onion, peppers, and broccoli. Let cook for another 7-8 minutes or until they begin to soften.

Meanwhile, make sauce by whisking together all sauce ingredients in a mixing bowl.

When the veggies are ready, add the chicken back to pan, along with the sauce and pineapple chunks.

Let all of this cook over medium heat for 5-6 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.

Serve and enjoy!

Below are some common stir fry questions. Don’t see the answer you’re looking for? Leave a comment at the bottom of this post!

What are some healthy ways to serve this stir fry?

Serve this stir fry over rice, pasta, or even cauliflower rice. The sauce is pretty sweet and tastes amazing on your favorite type of rice.

I highly recommend making a batch of this veggie fried cauliflower rice!

How do you make it taste spicier?

This is a really mild recipe. If you want it to have a bit of spice, add some red pepper flakes to the sauce. You could also add a dash (or more to taste) of sriracha.

Can I make this meatless?

Yes, this is a fantastic recipe to make meatless, too! If you want a vegan protein source, add some tofu. Otherwise, it tastes wonderful with just the vegetables as well.

Wondering if you can use different meat or veggies in the stir fry? There are a few ways you can.

This is a wonderful way to use up any leftover raw veggies that are in your refrigerator. Instead of broccoli, use some cauliflower florets. You can even chop up and add zucchini or squash to your stir fry.

I also like making it with some snow peas and matchstick carrots. Be creative and use any vegetables that you want!

Yes, you can use different types of meat too. I think chicken is light meat that absorbs the flavors really well and it cooks quickly. Try it with some chopped-up pork loin or even some thin-sliced steak.

This pineapple chicken stir fry recipe is the perfect freezer meal. Make it, let it cool down completely, and then store it in a resealable freezer bag. Then, when you are ready to make it again, let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator and just reheat it in a large skillet.

It’s also pretty perfect to store in the refrigerator for your meal plan (or just to eat later on in the week). Keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 5 days.

If You Liked This Recipe, You’ll Want To Try These!

Here are some more of my favorite chicken recipes. Enjoy!

• Healthy Baked Chicken Parmesan
• One Pan Honey Mustard Chicken Dinner
• Healthy Chicken Nuggets (Baked & Air-Fried)
• Easy Chicken Pad Thai
• Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by The Mindful Hapa

★★★★★ 5 from 39 reviews

Healthy Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry

Prep: 15Cook: 25Total: 40 minutes

Yield 8 servings 1x

1x2x3x

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Ingredients

• 2 tbsp avocado oil
• 1.5 lb raw chicken breasts, diced
• 1 small red onion, diced
• 1 red pepper, diced
• 1 yellow pepper, diced
• 1 small head broccoli, chopped into small florets
• 20 oz can pineapple chunks
• Sesame seeds

Sauce

• 1/4 cup pineapple juice (from can with chunks)
• 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
• 1/3 cup soy sauce (tamari if GF)
• 1.5 tsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsp arrowroot powder (or cornstarch)

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Instructions

1. In a large pan, heat 1 tbsp avocado oil. Add diced chicken and cook for 7-8 minutes or until cooked through.
2. Remove from pan and drain any excess liquid.
3. In same pan, add other tbsp of avocado oil and onion, peppers, and broccoli. Let cook for another 7-8 minutes or until beginning to soften.
4. Meanwhile, make sauce by whisking together all sauce ingredients.
5. When veggies are ready, add chicken back to pan, along with sauce and pineapple chunks.
6. Let cook over medium heat for 5-6 minutes or until sauce has thickened.
7. Serve over rice and sprinkle with sesame seeds! Enjoy.

Author: ErinCategory: dinner, lunch, meal-prep, gluten-freeMethod: stovetopCuisine: American