Pineapple Chicken Fried Rice (Printable Version)

Thai-style chicken dish with pineapple, cashews, veggies, and jasmine rice, offering a flavorful and colorful meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ Protein & Eggs

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 2 large eggs

→ Vegetables & Fruit

03 - 1 1/2 cups fresh pineapple, diced (or canned, drained)
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 cup frozen peas and carrots, thawed
06 - 2 green onions, sliced
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Rice & Nuts

08 - 4 cups cooked jasmine rice, chilled (preferably day-old)
09 - 3/4 cup unsalted roasted cashews

→ Sauces & Seasonings

10 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
11 - 1 tablespoon fish sauce
12 - 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (or vegetarian oyster sauce)
13 - 1 teaspoon curry powder
14 - 1/2 teaspoon white pepper (or black pepper)
15 - 1 tablespoon sugar
16 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
17 - Lime wedges, for serving

# Directions:

01 - Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large wok or nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 4-5 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
02 - Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the wok. Add minced garlic and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
03 - Push garlic to one side of the wok. Crack eggs directly into the empty space and scramble quickly until just set, about 30 seconds.
04 - Add bell pepper, peas and carrots, and pineapple. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp but still maintain some texture.
05 - Add chilled jasmine rice to the wok, breaking up any clumps with your spatula. Return cooked chicken to the pan and toss to combine.
06 - Pour in soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, curry powder, white pepper, and sugar. Toss everything thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly and heat through, about 2-3 minutes.
07 - Stir in cashews and green onions. Remove from heat immediately. Serve hot with lime wedges on the side for squeezing.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The way the sweet pineapple balances with savory soy sauce is pure magic
  • It transforms leftover rice into something you would happily order at a restaurant
02 -
  • Using freshly cooked rice will turn this into a sticky mess so plan ahead or spread hot rice on a baking sheet to chill quickly
  • Let your wok get properly hot between additions, otherwise everything steams instead of stir fries
03 -
  • A wok with high sides makes tossing the rice easier but any large skillet will work beautifully
  • Squeeze fresh lime over each portion right before eating to brighten all the flavors