Skip the takeout menu tonight, because this healthy pineapple chicken stir fry is sweet, tangy, and packed with colorful veggies, all tossed in a simple sauce with no added sugar. If you loved my healthy cashew chicken or my healthy garlic shrimp stir fry, this one is about to become another weeknight staple!
Jump to:
- Easy Healthy Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients Needed To Make This Healthy Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry
- How to Make Healthy Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry
- Erin's Expert Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Storing leftovers
- If you liked this recipe, you'll want to try these…
- Healthy Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry
Easy Healthy Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry
This pineapple chicken stir fry gives you all the sweet and savory flavor of your favorite Chinese takeout, made right at home. Diced chicken breast is seared until golden, then tossed with red onion, bell peppers, broccoli, and juicy pineapple chunks in one big skillet or wok.
The sauce is where the magic happens! Pineapple juice from the can, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, and a little sesame oil come together with arrowroot to make a glossy sauce that coats every bite. The pineapple brings the sweetness, so there's no need for any added sugar. If you're a stir fry fan, my ground chicken stir fry bowls are another quick favorite.
It makes 8 servings, so it's perfect for feeding a crowd or prepping lunches for the week. Just use tamari to keep it gluten-free! And if you need more takeout-style dinners like this one, you're going to LOVE my easy egg roll in a bowl or my easy chicken pad thai!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Better than takeout. All the sweet and tangy flavor you crave, made at home with simple ingredients.
- No added sugar. Pineapple and its juice naturally sweeten the sauce.
- Loaded with veggies. Peppers, broccoli, and red onion make it colorful and filling.
- High in protein. Each serving has about 22 grams of protein.
- Meal prep friendly. It makes 8 servings and keeps well for easy lunches.
- Easily gluten-free. Just swap in tamari for the soy sauce.
Ingredients Needed To Make This Healthy Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry
Here's a little bit about everything that goes into this pineapple chicken stir fry:
- Chicken breast: Dicing it into small pieces helps it cook quickly and evenly. Chicken thighs work too!
- Pineapple chunks: Canned pineapple is sweeter and more consistent than fresh. Drain it, but save the juice for the sauce.
- Bell peppers: One red and one yellow pepper add color, crunch, and a little sweetness.
- Broccoli: Small florets cook quickly and soak up the sauce.
- Red onion: Adds a savory bite that balances the sweet pineapple.
- Soy sauce or tamari: Gives the sauce its salty, savory flavor. Use tamari if you need it gluten-free.
- Rice wine vinegar: Brings the tang that makes this sauce so craveable.
How to Make Healthy Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry
This stir fry comes together in one large skillet or wok. The chicken gets cooked first and set aside, then the veggies go in until they start to soften. Everything goes back in the pan with the sauce and pineapple to simmer until thick and glossy.
Cooking the chicken and veggies separately is the secret to keeping everything from getting soggy. And don't skip the arrowroot powder or cornstarch, since that's what thickens the sauce so it clings to every bite!
- Step 1: Heat 1 tablespoon of avocado oil in a large skillet or wok. Add the diced chicken and cook for 7-8 minutes, until cooked through.
- Step 2: Remove the chicken from the pan and drain off any excess liquid.
- Step 3: Add the remaining tablespoon of avocado oil, then the red onion, peppers, and broccoli. Cook for 7-8 minutes, until the veggies start to soften.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together the pineapple juice, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and arrowroot powder.
- Step 5: Return the chicken to the pan and add the sauce and pineapple chunks.
- Step 6: Simmer over medium heat for 5-6 minutes, until the sauce has thickened. Serve over rice and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Erin's Expert Tips
From my kitchen to yours
- Use canned pineapple. It's sweeter and more consistent than fresh, and you'll need the juice for the sauce.
- Cook the chicken first. Cooking it separately from the veggies keeps everything from getting soggy.
- Drain the chicken. Pour off any excess liquid before adding the veggies so the sauce doesn't get watered down.
- Don't skip the arrowroot. It's what turns the sauce thick and glossy.
- Cut everything small. Dicing the chicken and veggies into small, even pieces helps them cook quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some common questions about this pineapple chicken stir fry.
Yes! Fresh pineapple works, but canned is sweeter and more consistent. If you use fresh, you'll need another source of pineapple juice for the sauce.
Yes, rice vinegar works great. In a pinch, another vinegar or a splash of white wine will work too.
It is when you use tamari instead of soy sauce and arrowroot powder or cornstarch to thicken the sauce.
Yes! Diced boneless, skinless chicken thighs work and stay extra juicy.
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha to the sauce.
Serve it over white rice, brown rice, pasta or cauliflower rice. My easy veggie fried cauliflower rice is a great lower-carb option!
Storing leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. This stir fry also freezes well. Thaw it overnight in the fridge, then reheat in a skillet until warmed through.
If you tried this recipe or any other recipes on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Follow @erinliveswhole on Instagram and tag me in any of the recipes you make so I can repost them!
If you liked this recipe, you'll want to try these…
Healthy Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon 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
- ¼ cup pineapple juice from can with chunks
- ¼ cup rice wine vinegar
- ⅓ cup soy sauce tamari if GF
- 1.5 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoon arrowroot powder or cornstarch
Instructions
- In a large pan, heat 1 tablespoon avocado oil. Add diced chicken and cook for 7-8 minutes or until cooked through.
- Remove from the pan and drain any excess liquid.
- In the same pan, add another tablespoon of avocado oil and onion, peppers, and broccoli. Let cook for another 7-8 minutes or until beginning to soften.
- Meanwhile, make the sauce by whisking together all the sauce ingredients.
- When veggies are ready, add chicken back to the pan, along with sauce and pineapple chunks.
- Let cook over medium heat for 5-6 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
- Serve over rice and sprinkle with sesame seeds! Enjoy.
- Use canned pineapple chunks instead of fresh. Canned pineapple tends to be sweeter and more consistent than fresh, which means your sauce will hit that perfect sweet spot every time. Save the juice from the can — you'll need it for the sauce!
- Remove the chicken from the pan before cooking the veggies. Cook the chicken first, take it out and drain any excess liquid, then add the vegetables to the same pan. This keeps everything from getting soggy and ensures the veggies cook up nicely.
- Don't skip the arrowroot powder in the sauce. This is what gives the sauce its gorgeous thick, glossy consistency. Just whisk it in with the other sauce ingredients and let everything simmer together for 5-6 minutes until it thickens up beautifully.
Nutrition
Per serving. Nutrition is an estimate.
Leave a star rating below and tag me on Instagram so I can see your creation!
Rate This RecipeRecipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by The Mindful Hapa
Allison says
This recipe did not disappoint! Would recommend for an easy and delicious weeknight meal (or anytime really). Even the younger ones liked it.
Erin says
Hi Allison, so happy it was a hit!! 🙂
Carolyn says
Such a delicious and simple weeknight meal! So flavourful and bright. Never thought to add pineapple to a stir fry before this recipe!
Erin says
Hi Carolyn, so glad you enjoyed it!!
Alysa Bodolus says
So yummy and easy!
Erin says
Hi Alysa, so happy you loved it!
Meghan says
This was so delicious and so easy to make! It will definitely be part of our dinner rotation now. Thanks for the amazing recipe!
Erin says
Hi Meghan, so happy you loved it!
Maureen Bolinger says
Stir fry was such a mystery to me but this recipe was so easy and delicious. NO sugar needed. It will be a go-to every week. I think yku could cheat with rotterisie chicken if needed. Or leftover turkey. I cut up all the ingredients small and my husband and 14 year old twin girls ate it up. I did salt n pepper the chicken and added some garlic and served over rice. Awesome dish.
Erin says
Hi Maureen, so happy you and your family enjoyed it and your made it your own!
Claire says
Have made this four times already and it is a HUGE hit with every person I’ve served it to!
Erin says
Hi Claire, so happy you love it SO much!!
Casey Colodny says
the sauce - OMG! chinese food has never tasted healthier, this is a win in my book!! going to try serving the sauce on cauliflower next time - yum!
Erin says
Hi Casey, so happy you loved it and great idea!!
Mary M says
This was absolutely delicious! I’ve made this twice now one time subbing in shrimp and another time skipping meat and adding edamame and cashews. Seriously so so so good! I’ve been sharing the recipe with friends, family, coworkers... basically anyone who will listen!
Erin says
Hi Mary, so glad you loved it and great ideas!! 🙂
Tracy says
I love a meal that is tasty and super simple to make at the same time. oh, and healthy 🙂
I'm trying to keep my husband on track with healthy eating, so this is going to be used for lunch meal prep. Instead of rice, I'm going to use cauliflower rice!!!
Erin says
HI Tracy, so glad you both enjoyed it!
Andi says
Perfect stir fry! Love the simple ingredients and it was so easy to make! Will definitely be making again!
Erin says
Hi Andi, so glad you loved it! 🙂
Darby says
This was SO good!! Made on Monday & still eating leftovers. Thanks Erin!
Erin says
Hi Darby, so glad you enjoyed it!!
Megan says
AMAZING!
Erin says
Hi Megan, so glad you enjoyed it!!
Kristin says
Made this the other night and OMG so good and so easy to make! Even the leftovers were delicious!
Erin says
Hi Kristin, so happy you loved the stir fry!!
Alina says
This is a great, easy and delicious summer dinner! The whole family loved it! Already can't wait to have it again.
Erin says
Hi Alina, so happy you loved it!!
Heather says
This was such an easy dinner to throw together! And it made for great leftovers too!
Erin says
Hi Heather, so glad you enjoyed it!!
Casey says
Loved this recipe! Easy to make & delicious. Will definitely make it again.
Erin says
Hi Casey, so happy you enjoyed it!!
Lauren says
Great summer dinner!!
Erin says
Hi Lauren, so happy you loved it and thanks for your support!!
Kristin says
Saw this on Instagram today and made it for dinner tonight. It does not disappoint. So easy to make and the sauce is delicious. No funky ingredients that I’d only use once.
Erin says
Hi Kristin, so glad you loved it!!
Tia says
Amazing, thanks for the inspiration, can’t wait to try.
Erin says
Hi Tia, you're welcome! Let me know how it comes out!
Tia says
Amazing, thanks for the inspiration, can’t wait to try. I will sub for cauliflower and zucchini!
Erin says
Hi Tia, you’re welcome! Let me know how it comes out!