Aloha Chicken Sweet Sour Pineapple Paradise

Aloha Chicken Sweet Sour Pineapple Paradise

Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts
Recipe Introduction: Aloha Chicken Bliss!
Ever crave that sweet and sour thing but fancy something dead easy? This pineapple chicken recipe is a game-changer, mate.
It's kinda like your fave Chinese takeaway, but fresher and you know exactly what's going in it.
Quick Hook
Craving a quick and tasty dinner? This easy Aloha Chicken recipe will transport you. It's got that sweet and tangy vibe we all love.
Brief Overview
Think sun-soaked beaches with this pineapple chicken recipe . It's inspired by classic Chinese cooking recipes . Super easy; about 40 mins total. Makes 4 servings, perfect for a family meal.
Main Benefits
This chicken stir-fry recipe gives you a healthy boost! It's packed with lean protein and vitamins from the pineapple and bell peppers.
Ideal for a busy weeknight dinner ideas , plus it's a total crowd-pleaser. What makes this recipe special? Well, it's the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and savoury all in one dish!
Honestly, this dish is banging. You can whip it up in no time. It is one of the quick chicken recipes I've got.
Grab some chicken, some pineapple, and let's get cooking! It's so straightforward, even your nan could make it!
First, you chuck the chicken in cornstarch, salt, and pepper. This helps it get all lovely and crispy. Then you mix up the sauce, which is where the magic happens.
Pineapple juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar – all the good stuff. The sauce makes the Sweet and Sour Chicken , the real deal! I'm always tempted to just drink it straight from the bowl.
Ingredients & Equipment for Your Aloha Chicken
Right then, let's talk ingredients . For this ridiculously easy pineapple chicken recipe , you won't need a ton of stuff. Honestly, half the battle is just having everything prepped, you know?
Main Ingredients
Chicken: About 1.5 lbs (680g) of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed. Make sure your chicken is fresh, firm to the touch, and doesn't smell off. Nobody wants dodgy chicken!
Cornstarch: 1/4 cup (30g) . This is your secret weapon for crispy-on-the-outside, juicy-on-the-inside chicken.
Salt & Pepper: 1/2 teaspoon salt , 1/4 teaspoon black pepper . Seasoning is key, don't skip it!
Vegetable Oil: 2 tablespoons , for frying. Any neutral oil will do, like canola or sunflower.
Sauce Base:
- Pineapple Juice: 1/2 cup (120ml) . Freshly squeezed is amazing if you can be arsed, but shop-bought is fine too.
- Soy Sauce: 1/4 cup (60ml) . Low sodium is your friend here. We don't want a salt bomb.
- Rice Vinegar: 1/4 cup (60ml) . This is what gives it that lovely tang.
- Brown Sugar: 2 tablespoons . Packed, because we're serious about sweetness.
- Ketchup: 1 tablespoon . Yep, ketchup. Don't judge, it works!
- Cornstarch: 1 tablespoon . To thicken that gorgeous sauce.
- Aromatics:
- Fresh Ginger: 1 teaspoon , grated. Ginger is a game changer, honestly.
- Garlic: 1 clove , minced. Fresh garlic only, please. The jarred stuff is just...sad.
Veggies & Pineapple:
- Bell Pepper: 1 , any color, chopped. Adds a nice crunch.
- Red Onion: 1 , chopped. For that extra bit of zing .
- Pineapple: 1 cup (170g) , fresh chunks (drained canned is fine too!).
- Garnish:
- Green Onions: 2 , chopped.
- Sesame Seeds: 1 tablespoon (optional).
Seasoning Notes
Right, so, the sauce is where the magic happens. Ginger and garlic are your base notes, giving it that classic Chinese flavour.
The rice vinegar balances the sweetness from the pineapple juice and brown sugar. If you don't have rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar works in a pinch, but honestly, rice vinegar is cheap as chips so stock up!.
Want a bit of a kick? Chuck in some red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha. Honestly, it's proper tasty!
Equipment Needed
You don't need fancy equipment to nail this sweet and sour chicken . A good large skillet or wok is essential.
You'll also need a few mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, and a whisk. Job's a good'un! Now go make some pineapple chicken – you won't regret it! This chicken stir-fry recipe is a sure winner.
Unleash Your Inner Chef: Mastering the Pineapple Chicken Recipe
Right, let's dive straight into making some banging Pineapple Chicken ! Honestly, who doesn't love that sweet and sour combo? It's like a little holiday in your mouth, even if it's raining cats and dogs outside.
I'm going to show you my foolproof method. Think Easy Chinese Recipes , but better ! We'll be whipping up some proper Sweet and Sour Chicken in no time.
Trust me, even if you've only ever boiled an egg, you can nail this! This could easily be your new favourite of all the Pineapple Chicken Recipes !
Prep Steps: Get Your Ducks in a Row
- Essential Mise en Place: Chop your 1.5 lbs chicken into 1-inch pieces. Dice 1 bell pepper and 1 red onion . Get your 1 cup pineapple chunks ready. Mince 1 clove garlic . Grate 1 tsp ginger . Prep is key , bruv!
- Time-Saving Organization Tips: Measure out all your sauce ingredients into one bowl. Honestly, it'll save you so much time later. You know, so you're not scrambling when the pan is getting too hot!
- Safety Reminders: When you are dealing with raw chicken. Always wash your hands thoroughly afterwards! Honestly, nobody wants food poisoning.
Step-by-Step: The Main Event
- Coat chicken in a mix of 1/4 cup cornstarch , 1/2 tsp salt , and 1/4 tsp pepper . Make sure it is evenly covered , alright?
- Whisk together 1/2 cup pineapple juice , 1/4 cup soy sauce , 1/4 cup rice vinegar , 2 tbsp brown sugar , 1 tbsp ketchup , 1 tbsp cornstarch , ginger, and garlic for the sauce.
- Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a skillet. Cook chicken for 5- 7 minutes till golden brown. Set aside.
- Sauté bell pepper and onion for 3- 5 minutes until softened.
- Add pineapple, cook for 1 minute . Pour in the sauce and simmer 2- 3 minutes until thick.
- Add chicken back in, coat with sauce, heat through.
- Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve over rice. Enjoy!
Pro Tips: Level Up Your Pineapple Chicken
- Don't Overcook the Chicken: Use a thermometer to make sure the internal temp reaches 165° F ( 74° C) . Nobody likes dry chicken!
- Common Mistakes to Avoid: Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking the chicken. It steams instead of browns. Trust me, I've been there. This Chicken Dinner Recipes is absolutely fabulous, you may as well add it to your repertoire of Quick chicken recipes , and Easy Chinese Recipes because you will want to make it over and over again!.
Recipe Notes for Your Awesome Pineapple Chicken Recipe
Right, so you've got the recipe for this incredible pineapple chicken down, haven't you? But, like with any good Chinese cooking recipes , there's always a bit more to it than meets the eye.
Let's dive into some tips, eh? Consider these my personal insights from countless times whipping up this easy Chinese recipes classic.
Serving It Up: Plating Like a Pro
Honestly, presentation matters. Pile that glistening pineapple chicken high on a bed of fluffy rice. Garnish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and some fresh green onions.
You know, make it look Instagram-worthy! Fancy a bit extra? Serve it in a carved-out pineapple half for that ultimate Aloha Chicken Recipe vibe.
As for sides, steamed broccoli works a treat. You could even try some stir-fried bok choy. And don't forget the drinks! A crisp, cold lager or even a fruity cocktail would be spot on.
Storing and Reheating: No Waste Here!
Got leftovers? No worries! This chicken stir-fry recipe keeps well. Just pop it into an airtight container and stick it in the fridge.
It will last for about 3-4 days. When you're ready to tuck in again, reheat it gently in a pan or microwave until it is piping hot.
If you fancy freezing it, do it as soon as possible. Make sure it's in a freezer-safe container. It can last up to 2 months.
Defrost thoroughly before reheating. Just make sure that the chicken reaches a temperature of 165° F ( 74° C) .
Variations: Making It Your Own
Fancy a bit of spice? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a fiery kick. Honestly, it's divine! Or, if you're after a veggie option, swap out the chicken for tofu.
Boom! Pineapple tofu for the win.
To lighten it up, use a sugar substitute like stevia instead of brown sugar. And, for the gluten-free gang, tamari is your best friend instead of soy sauce.
Nutrition Stuff: The Good Bits
Okay, so here's the lowdown. Each serving of this sweet and sour chicken has roughly 450 calories. You're looking at about 40g of protein, which is great.
There's also around 15g of fat and 40g of carbohydrates, with 20g of sugar. It gives you a decent boost and tastes amazing doing it.
So basically it's a winner!
Remember, this is just a rough guide. Nutritional values vary depending on ingredients.
Now, go get cooking! This quick chicken recipes will become a weeknight dinner ideas staple in no time. You've got this! Enjoy your chicken dinner recipes
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this pineapple chicken recipe suitable for beginners? I'm a bit of a novice in the kitchen!
Absolutely! This Aloha Chicken: Sweet & Sour Pineapple Paradise recipe is designed to be super easy. It involves simple steps like chopping and tossing, making it perfect for cooks of all skill levels. Think of it as your gateway to becoming a culinary whiz, darling!
Can I make this pineapple chicken recipe ahead of time? Will it still taste good?
You can indeed! The sauce may thicken a bit in the fridge, so you might want to add a splash of water or pineapple juice when reheating. Ideally, store the chicken and sauce separately, then combine them when reheating to prevent the chicken from becoming soggy. It's a cracking way to prep a meal in advance.
I don't have fresh pineapple. Can I use canned pineapple for this pineapple chicken recipe?
Yes, canned pineapple works just fine! Just be sure to drain it really well before adding it to the skillet. Otherwise, you'll end up with a slightly watery sauce, and nobody wants that, do they? Fresh pineapple adds a more vibrant flavour, but canned is a perfectly acceptable substitute for a quick and easy meal.
What are some good variations on this pineapple chicken recipe? I'm feeling a bit adventurous!
Feeling adventurous, eh? Splendid! You could add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the sauce for a spicy kick. Alternatively, substitute the chicken with tofu for a vegetarian option or swap out bell peppers for broccoli for more greens. Get creative and put your own stamp on it!
How should I store leftover pineapple chicken? And how long will it last?
Store any leftover pineapple chicken in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep for up to 3-4 days. Make sure it's cooled down properly before refrigerating. Don't leave it out at room temperature for more than two hours, as bacteria might start throwing a party!
What can I serve with this Pineapple Chicken Recipe?
Pineapple chicken is great with rice. You could also add a side of steamed broccoli or stir-fried bok choy for a balanced meal. Or, you can drizzle with a little chili oil for extra flavor and a touch of heat.