Pineapple Chicken Rice Wraps (Printable)

Light tropical-inspired chicken with pineapple, rice, and crisp lettuce for a refreshing and flavorful meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken & Marinade

01 - 14 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
02 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
03 - 1 tablespoon sesame oil
04 - 1 tablespoon honey
05 - 1 clove garlic, minced
06 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated

→ Rice

07 - 1 cup jasmine or basmati rice, uncooked
08 - 2 cups water
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Stir-Fry

10 - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
11 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
12 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
13 - 7 oz fresh pineapple, diced
14 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
15 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced

→ Wraps & Garnish

16 - 1 large head butter or iceberg lettuce, leaves separated and washed
17 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
18 - Lime wedges, for serving

# Directions:

01 - In a mixing bowl, combine diced chicken with soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Mix thoroughly and allow to marinate for at least 10 minutes.
02 - Rinse rice under cold running water. In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of water and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil. Add rice, reduce heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer for 12-15 minutes until tender and all water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
03 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken and stir-fry for 4-6 minutes until completely cooked through and lightly browned.
04 - Add diced red bell pepper and sliced red onion to the skillet. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until vegetables are just tender-crisp.
05 - Stir in diced pineapple and cook for 1-2 minutes until heated through. Remove from heat.
06 - Add cooked rice to the skillet and toss gently with chicken, vegetables, and pineapple until evenly combined.
07 - Spoon chicken and rice mixture into prepared lettuce leaves. Top each wrap with cilantro, sliced green onions, and toasted sesame seeds. Serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It feels like a celebration on a weeknight, with that sweet pineapple and sesame hitting all the right notes without demanding hours in the kitchen.
  • Lettuce wraps mean everyone builds their own, so there's actually less cleanup and more fun at the table.
  • The whole thing comes together faster than ordering takeout, which is honestly when I make it most often lately.
02 -
  • Marinating the chicken for at least 10 minutes is the difference between ordinary chicken and chicken that tastes intentional and flavorful.
  • Draining canned pineapple thoroughly prevents a watery final dish, which I learned by making a soggy batch and having to eat my words along with soggy rice.
  • Don't skip the fluffing of rice with a fork after cooking; it aerates the grains and prevents that dense, compressed texture.
03 -
  • A splash of sriracha stirred into the rice at the very end adds heat and complexity without overpowering the delicate pineapple flavor.
  • Squeeze lime juice directly onto the lettuce leaves before adding the filling so it gets absorbed and seasons each bite.
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