Pineapple Chicken and Rice

 This is a super quick recipe to make.   About 30-15 minutes from start to finish.

PINEAPPLE CHICKEN AND RICE

(serves 4)

Ingredients:

*1 cup rice

*2 cups water

*3 cups boneless, skinless chicken breasts cup into chunks

*2 tablespoons cornstarch

*1 teaspoon salt

*1 teaspoon ground black pepper

*1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

*3 tablespoon vegetable oil

*1 (15 ounce) can pineapple chunks in juice (or about 1 cup fresh pineapple)

*1 1/2 cups pineapple juice (or the juice from the can)

*2 tablespoons light brown sugar

*2 tablespoons soy sauce 

*1 tablespoon tomato paste

*1 tablespoon sesame seeds

*1 red bell pepper, chopped into chunks

*1 medium yellow onion, peeled and chopped into wedges

*2 garlic cloves, minced

*1 teaspoon minced giner

Directions:

~In a large bowl, add 2 chopped up chicken breasts, 2 tablespoons corn starch, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.  

~Mix until chicken is well coated.

~In a medium saucepan put 2 cups water and 1 cup rice and cover.

~Bring to a boil over medium high heat.

~Once boiling reduce heat to simmer and cook for 20 minutes or until rice is tender (longer if using brown rice).

~Once you reduce heat to simmer, heat up a large skillet over medium heat.

~Add 3 tablespoons vegetable oil.

~Once oil is hot add chicken and cook until chicken is a golden brown, stirring often (about 5 minutes).

~In a small bowl, whisk 1 1/2 cups pineapple juice, 2 tablespoon light brown sugar, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon minced ginger and 1 tablespoon sesame seeds until well mixed.

~Add 1 sliced onion, and 1 chopped red bell pepper into pan with chicken.

~Sauté for about 3 minutes.

~Add in 1 cup pineapple chunks and cook for 2 minutes.

~Stir in sauce and mix in well.

~Continue cooking for 5-8 minutes or until sauce has reduced down and has thickened up (it will become caramelized).  

~Dish up rice and serve chicken mixture over top.