25 Pineapple Chicken Dishes for Sweet and Savory Meals

These tropical chicken recipes combine juicy pineapple with tender chicken for perfect sweet and savory balance. Each dish brings island flavors to your dinner table.

From quick weeknight stir-fries to slow cooker meals, these recipes make it easy to enjoy restaurant-quality tropical cuisine at home.

01. Tropical Chicken Kabobs

This method uses marinated chicken pieces and fresh pineapple chunks threaded on skewers. The marinade creates tender, flavorful meat that pairs perfectly with sweet pineapple.

Grilling caramelizes the pineapple sugars while keeping the chicken juicy. The charcoal adds a smoky flavor that enhances the tropical taste.

Perfect for summer cookouts and holiday gatherings. These kabobs cook quickly and always impress guests with their colorful presentation.

02. Slow Cooker Sweet and Tangy Chicken Thighs

This version uses chicken thighs slow-cooked in sweet and sour sauce with pineapple chunks and red peppers. The thighs stay incredibly tender after hours of cooking.

The slow cooking method allows flavors to develop deeply. The sauce becomes rich and glossy while the pineapple breaks down slightly.

Great for busy weeknights since it requires minimal prep work. You get restaurant-quality results with almost no effort required.

03. Sweet and Tangy Orange Chicken

This approach combines orange marmalade, fresh pineapple, and ginger for a complex sauce. The marmalade provides citrus sweetness while ginger adds warmth.

The fresh pineapple balances the orange flavors perfectly. This creates a multi-layered taste that’s both familiar and exciting.

This version takes about 30 minutes but delivers impressive flavors. Perfect for when you want something special without too much work.

04. Thai Pineapple Chicken Curry

This method uses coconut milk and fresh pineapple to balance spicy curry paste. The coconut milk creates a creamy base while pineapple adds natural sweetness.

The fresh pineapple helps tame the heat from traditional Thai spices. This creates a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and creamy flavors.

Great for curry lovers who want milder heat levels. The tropical flavors make this feel like a restaurant-quality dish.

05. Chicken Fruit Salad

This refreshing version combines cooked chicken with fresh pineapple and other seasonal fruits. The chicken stays moist while the fruits add natural sweetness.

This approach works best when prepped ahead of time. The flavors meld together beautifully when allowed to sit overnight.

Perfect for summer lunches and light dinners. You can prepare this up to two days in advance for easy meal planning.

06. Quick Pineapple Chicken Stir-Fry

This version uses bite-sized chicken pieces stir-fried with fresh pineapple chunks and colorful vegetables. The high heat keeps everything crisp and bright.

The quick cooking method preserves the pineapple’s texture and sweetness. The chicken stays tender while developing a light golden color.

Ready in under 20 minutes for busy weeknight dinners. Add red chili flakes if you want extra heat with the sweetness.

07. Thai Fried Rice with Pineapple and Chicken

This method combines day-old rice with chicken and fresh pineapple chunks. The rice gets perfectly crispy while absorbing all the tropical flavors.

The traditional technique uses high heat to create that perfect fried rice texture. Pineapple adds bursts of sweetness throughout each bite.

Try serving this in a hollowed pineapple for special occasions. The presentation looks impressive but requires minimal extra effort.

08. Cambodian Chicken Soup

This hearty version uses chicken, rice, and coconut milk with curry spices and pineapple. The soup becomes rich and satisfying with complex flavors.

The combination of curry paste and fresh pineapple creates perfect balance. The coconut milk makes everything creamy and comforting.

Great for cooler weather when you want something warming yet tropical. This soup feels both exotic and familiar.

09. Huli Huli Pineapple Chicken

This Hawaiian method uses crushed pineapple and brown sugar for caramelized coating. The sugars create a beautiful glaze during grilling.

The traditional technique involves basting frequently for maximum flavor. The crushed pineapple creates wonderful texture and concentrated sweetness.

Perfect for authentic Hawaiian barbecue flavor at home. This method takes patience but delivers incredible caramelized results.

10. Chicken Pineapple Fajitas

This version uses Jamaican jerk seasoning balanced with sweet pineapple chunks. The pineapple helps cool down the spicy jerk flavors perfectly.

The contrast between spicy chicken and sweet pineapple creates amazing balance. Each bite delivers both heat and cooling sweetness.

Great for when you want something different from regular fajitas. The tropical twist makes ordinary weeknight dinner feel special.

11. Pineapple-Teriyaki Chicken Burgers

This approach mixes crushed pineapple and teriyaki sauce directly into ground chicken. The pineapple keeps the burgers incredibly moist and flavorful.

The crushed pineapple adds natural sweetness while preventing dry burgers. Teriyaki sauce enhances the tropical Asian flavors throughout.

Perfect for summer grilling when you want something lighter than beef. These cook quickly and never turn out dry.

12. Caribbean Chicken with Pineapple-Cilantro Rice

This method pairs seasoned baked chicken with pineapple and cilantro rice. The rice becomes fragrant and tropical while the chicken stays juicy.

The cilantro and pineapple combination creates refreshing side dish flavors. This pairing feels light yet satisfying for warm weather meals.

Great for summer dinners when you want something cooling yet filling. The complete meal comes together in about 45 minutes.

13. Quick Hawaiian Haystacks

This version layers chicken in gravy over rice with multiple toppings including pineapple and chow mein noodles. Everyone can customize their own plate.

The build-your-own approach makes this perfect for families with different preferences. The variety of textures creates interesting contrast in every bite.

Perfect for using leftover ingredients you have on hand. This flexible recipe adapts easily to whatever toppings you prefer.

14. Sweet Onion and Pineapple Chicken Teriyaki

This stir-fry method combines teriyaki sauce, pineapple, sweet onions, and cashews with chicken. The sweet onions caramelize beautifully with the pineapple.

The cashews add wonderful crunch while the teriyaki creates glossy coating. Everything comes together in one pan for easy cleanup.

Ready in about 25 minutes for quick weeknight meals. This combination of flavors and textures never gets boring.

15. Chicken and Pineapple Rice Bake

This method arranges seasoned chicken over yellow rice and drizzles with pineapple juice before baking. The rice absorbs all the tropical flavors.

The pineapple juice keeps everything moist while adding subtle sweetness. The one-pan approach makes cleanup incredibly easy after dinner.

Perfect for busy nights when you want hands-off cooking. Everything bakes together for complete meal in one dish.

16. Ultra Easy Pineapple Chicken Kabobs

This simple version uses just chicken, pineapple, bell peppers, and barbecue sauce. The minimal ingredients let each flavor shine through clearly.

The barbecue sauce caramelizes during grilling for amazing glaze. The bell peppers add color and crunch to complement the sweet pineapple.

Perfect for beginner grillers who want impressive results. These require almost no prep but look like you worked hard.

17. Spicy Honey-Lime Chicken Thigh Kebabs

This method combines chicken thighs with summer vegetables and pineapple on skewers. The honey-lime glaze with Sriracha creates perfect sweet-heat balance.

The Sriracha, honey, and lime combination creates complex flavor layers. Each vegetable adds different texture and taste to every bite.

Great for when you want kabobs with more sophisticated flavors. The glaze makes these taste like restaurant-quality grilled food.

18. Grilled Pineapple Chicken Sandwiches

This approach grills both chicken breasts and pineapple slices with honey mustard glaze. The grilling caramelizes the pineapple for concentrated sweetness.

The honey mustard adds tangy sweetness while the grilled pineapple becomes jammy. Red bell peppers provide fresh crunch and bright color.

Perfect for summer cookouts when you want elevated sandwiches. The grilled pineapple makes these feel special and tropical.

19. Grilled Pineapple Salad

This version grills both chicken and pineapple before adding to spinach with pine nuts and mandarin oranges. The grilling adds smoky depth.

The poppy seed dressing ties all the flavors together perfectly. The combination of textures makes every bite interesting and satisfying.

Great for light summer dinners that still feel substantial. This salad works as impressive lunch or dinner option.

20. Teriyaki and Pineapple Chicken

This quick stir-fry method gets dinner ready in just 40 minutes. The teriyaki sauce creates glossy coating while pineapple adds natural sweetness.

The high-heat cooking keeps vegetables crisp while chicken stays tender. The sauce reduces to perfect consistency for coating everything.

Perfect for busy weeknights when you need something fast but flavorful. Leftovers taste great in whole wheat pita for lunch.

21. Sleepy Hollow Chicken Salad Supreme

This version adds pineapple tidbits and curry powder to traditional chicken salad. The curry creates warm, complex flavors throughout the creamy base.

The pineapple tidbits provide bursts of sweetness and interesting texture. The curry powder makes this feel exotic yet familiar.

Great for sandwiches, wraps, or serving over greens. This upgraded chicken salad never feels boring or ordinary.

22. Chicken Tacos with Pineapple Salsa

This method marinates chicken in red onion and lime before grilling. The fresh pineapple salsa adds tropical sweetness to spicy tacos.

The lime marinade keeps chicken incredibly tender and flavorful. The pineapple salsa provides cooling contrast to any heat from Sriracha.

Perfect for taco night with tropical twist. The fresh salsa makes these feel light and summery.

23. Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken

This version combines chicken breasts with honey barbecue sauce, pineapple slices, and soy sauce in the slow cooker. Everything becomes incredibly tender.

The long cooking time allows all flavors to meld together perfectly. The sauce becomes rich and glossy while chicken falls apart easily.

Great for busy days when you want hands-off cooking. Serve over rice to soak up all the delicious sauce.

24. Peruvian Pineapple Chicken (Pollo a la Pina)

This method uses battered and fried chicken medallions glazed with sweet pineapple sauce. The batter creates crispy exterior while chicken stays juicy inside.

The pineapple sauce includes red bell peppers and green onions with Latino spices. This creates complex flavor profile with multiple layers.

Perfect for when you want restaurant-quality international cuisine at home. The presentation looks impressive but technique is manageable.

25. Pineapple Salsa Chicken

This approach uses grilled chicken as base for sweet and spicy pineapple-jalapeño salsa. The chicken provides protein while salsa delivers all the flavor.

The fresh pineapple and jalapeño combination creates perfect sweet-heat balance. Each bite delivers both cooling sweetness and warming spice.

Great for healthy dinners that don’t sacrifice flavor. The fresh salsa makes simple grilled chicken feel special and exciting.

Final Thoughts

These pineapple chicken recipes prove that tropical flavors work beautifully in everyday cooking. From quick stir-fries to slow cooker meals, there’s something for every schedule.

The natural sweetness of pineapple transforms ordinary chicken into exciting dinners that transport you to the islands with every bite.