Chicken Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe
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Chicken pineapple fried rice recipe is a family favorite that’s perfect for a busy weeknight meal. It’s full of sweet and fresh flavors, crunchy cashews, and chicken or your choice of protein. Easy to make, perfect for any home cook, and better than any Chinese and Thai takeout you’ve ever had!
This is just one of my many Thai fried rice recipes, make sure to try one of these later: Khao pad krapow with holy basil, Thai chicken fried rice, vegetarian Thai fried rice, and tom yum fried rice with shrimp.
What is chicken pineapple fried rice
Chicken pineapple fried rice is a classic Thai dish blending sweet pineapple chunks with tender chicken, stir-fried rice, and crisp vegetables. Enhanced with seasonings like soy sauces and hint of garlic, it balances savory, sweet, and umami flavors.
Thai pineapple fried rice with chicken
Let me tell you a little secret: I was never a big fan of fried rice. I always thought it lacked spice and that special something that makes a dish truly unique. But then, I was introduced to chicken pineapple fried rice, and my world turned upside down.
It all began when my hubby took me for a dinner date at a Thai restaurant. He ordered a portion of pineapple fried rice with chicken, and when it arrived at our table, I was astonished. It looked like a tropical dream, beautifully served inside a pineapple, what a genius idea!
And guess what, it tasted even better than it looked. The rice grains were deliciously infused with pineapple sweetness, and the juicy pineapple chunks perfectly complemented the crisp vegetables. There was no need to add spice, it was just perfect, it’s a fantastic summer meal.
Since then, I’ve made this fried rice recipe more than I can count, and this is the version we like best.
And I’ll let you in on another secret, we love to enjoy the leftovers chilled, straight out of the fridge! There’s nothing better than a cool plate of chicken pineapple fried rice on a hot summer’s day, trust me.
How to customize khao pad sapparod
Chicken pineapple fried rice, or khao pad sapparod, is the ideal choice for both family gatherings and weeknight dinners, serving up as a delicious main or side dish. It’s a hit with kids for its sweet pineapple flavor, packed with healthy veggies and lean protein.
Before we take a look at the ingredients, here are some easy customization options so you can turn this into a crowd-pleaser for your next party:
Cashew substitutions: Try roasted peanuts or cashews.
Vegan option: Omit the eggs and chicken, add firm tofu and extra stir-fry vegetables.
Vegetables: Feel free to add more veggies like bell peppers, peas, baby corn, and even broccoli.
Proteins: Substitute the chicken for pork, beef, or even seafood like shrimp and squid.
Spicier: Make your fried rice spicy by topping it with Thai chili flakes or adding sliced bird’s eye chilies.
Ingredients
Ingredients can be sourced at Asian grocery stores and Asian markets.
The exact measurements are in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Pineapple – The pineapple shell can be used for serving, infusing the fried rice with more pineapple flavor.
- Chicken – Thinly slice your chicken so it cooks quickly. Opt for chicken thighs or chicken breast.
- Rice – I prefer making fried rice with chilled day-old jasmine rice. You can use brown rice and cauliflower for a paleo-friendly alternative.
- Yellow curry powder – Yellow curry powder is made of a spice blend with turmeric and cumin. I bought a small quantity at the local street food market, any store-bought brand will do. You can easily find this at Asian grocery stores and at Asian markets.
- Light soy sauce – Light soy sauce is a key ingredient of Southeast Asian cuisine, beloved for its salty and savory flavor.
- White sugar – Essential for balancing out the salty notes in the stir-fry sauce.
- Salt – A pinch of salt elevates the overall flavors and brings out the best in the other ingredients.
- Onion, garlic, carrot, green onions – Add your favorite stir-fry vegetables. Make sure to dice them small.
- Cashew nuts (optional) – Cashews are optional, they add a satisfying crunch and an extra layer of flavor.
- Eggs – Add a rich texture and flavor to the fried rice.
- Oil – Use a neutral oil with high smoke point, like vegetable oil or canola oil.
Short recipe video
Cooking instructions
Step 1: Preheat oil in your wok over medium. Add minced garlic and sauté until golden and fragrant. Then, add chicken and stir-fry until it’s about 80 percent cooked through.
Step 2: Add diced carrots and onions to your pan. Stir-fry and combine them with the chicken until carrots and onion have softened slightly, about a minute.
Step 3: Push everything to one side of the wok and crack the eggs into the empty area.
Step 4: Beat the eggs together with the rest of the ingredients in the wok.
Step 5: Add light soy sauce, white sugar, salt, and yellow curry powder and thoroughly mix.
Step 6: Add white rice and mix, breaking apart all clumps, to ensure every rice grain is coated with curry.
Step 7: First, quickly mix in the chunks of pineapple. Then, add the cashews to the wok and briefly toss the ingredients together to combine. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Kitchen tools
- Rice cooker or pot for coking rice
- Cutting board and a sharp knife
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Stirring spoon or spatula
- Wok or large skillet
- Vegetable peeler
Thai Pineapple chicken fried rice recipe tips
Don’t overcrowd: Make sure your ingredients have some room in the pan and cook in batches if needed. This ensures quick, even cooking for that irresistible texture and flavor.
Go for cold rice: For fried rice, always use day-old cooked rice; it’s firm and won’t stick together. If you’re short on leftovers, cook and cool rice on a baking sheet for at least an hour to cool.
High heat: High heat is ideal for stir-frying, medium heat works too if that feels more comfortable.
Opt for a ripe pineapple: Select one that’s large and golden for the perfect serving bowl.
Serve in a pineapple shell
Let’s serve your Thai pineapple fried rice in a hollowed out pineapple shell. If pressed for time, a regular dish works just fine.
- Halve the pineapple: With a sharp knife, carefully slice the pineapple in half.
- Hollow it out: Gently remove the flesh from one half to create a hollow shell. Use a spoon to scrape out any remaining fruit and juice.
- Prep the fruit: Cut the removed pineapple flesh into small chunks to add to your stir-fry.
- Fill and garnish: After stir-frying, transfer the fried rice into your hollowed-out pineapple. Sprinkle with green onions and a dash of white or black pepper. Feel free to add your favorite herbs for extra flair.
How to store and reheat
Let your leftovers cool to room temperature and transfer them into an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge for up to 4–5 days for optimal freshness.
Freezing: After cooling to room temperature, place your leftovers in a freezer-safe container or bag. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheating: Simply stir-fry over medium heat until warm.
Frequently asked questions
What rice to use for fried rice?
Day-old jasmine rice provides the perfect texture and flavor.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
No, this recipe contains soy sauce. Replace it with a gluten-free alternative, the rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
Authentic Thai chicken stir-fry recipes
- Kuay teow kua gai (roasted chicken noodles)
- Pad priew wan (Thai sweet and sour chicken)
- Pad krapow chicken (Thai basil stir-fry)
- Pad prik sod (Thai chili chicken)
- Authentic chicken pad Thai
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Chicken Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 3.5 oz or 3/4 cup chicken, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup carrot, diced
- 1/3 cup onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 tablespoon yellow curry powder
- 2 1/2 cups cooked jasmine rice, preferably day-old chilled rice
- 7 oz or 1 cup pineapple, chunked
- 1/4 cup cashew nuts, optional but recommended
- 2 green onions, finely chopped, for garnishing
Instructions
- Preheat oil in your wok over medium. Add minced garlic and sauté until golden and fragrant. Then, add chicken and stir-fry until it’s about 80 percent cooked through.
- Add diced carrots and onions to your pan. Stir-fry and combine them with the chicken until carrots and onion have softened slightly, about a minute.
- Push everything to one side of the wok and crack the eggs into the empty area.
- Beat the eggs together with the rest of the ingredients in the wok.
- Add light soy sauce, white sugar, salt, and yellow curry powder and thoroughly mix.
- Add white rice and mix, breaking apart all clumps, to ensure every rice grain is coated with curry.
- First, quickly mix in the chunks of pineapple. Then, add the cashews to the wok and briefly toss the ingredients together to combine. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Use the nutrition card in this recipe as a guideline.
- For the best results and easier cooking, use day-old rice.
- You can substitute the chicken for shrimp, pork, beef, or tofu and add your favorite veggies.
Easy to prepare ?
Just tried it and it came out delicious 😋. Thank you for the recipe!
Thank you, Tanya!
Can you use canned pineapple?
Yes, but not the kind in syrup! Just drain it really well before using. The sweetness in pineapple fried rice comes from the pineapple itself, so give it a quick taste—if it’s not quite sweet enough, you can always add a bit of sugar at the end to bring it all together.