PF
Vibrant top view of a salad bowl with grilled chicken, pineapple, avocado, and cherry tomatoes.
Stovetop~35 minComplexity

Pineapple Chicken

This Pineapple Chicken delivers 41g protein and 300 calories per serving — an exceptionally lean option for athletes in a deficit. Four servings cook on the stovetop in minutes, making it your fastest route to hitting protein targets without excess calories. Build this into your rotation when dropping body composition matters more than volume.

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Ingredients

4 servings
  • Chicken Breast, Boneless Skinless(680g)

    Boneless skinless. Buy in bulk and freeze — Costco rotisserie packs work too.

  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (plus additional to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • Pineapple, Canned, In Juice, Drained
  • Soy Sauce, Low Sodium(80g)
  • Honey(15g)
  • Cornstarch(15g)
  • Garlic(15g)
  • Ginger, Fresh Root(15g)
  • Red pepper flakes(1g)
  • Canola oil(15g)
  • Bell Pepper
  • Water Chestnuts, Canned, Drained
  • Green Onion (Scallion)(60g)
  • Sesame seeds(8g)

Instructions

  1. 1Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, then season generously with salt and pepper on all sides.
  2. 2Drain the pineapple juice into a measuring cup (you should have about 2/3 cup), then whisk in the soy sauce, honey, cornstarch, minced garlic, minced ginger, and red pepper flakes until the cornstarch is fully dissolved. Set the sauce near the stove.
  3. 3Heat half the canola oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 1–2 minutes. Add the chicken and cook 4–6 minutes per side, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a plate.
  4. 4Add the remaining canola oil to the skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bell pepper and drained pineapple chunks, cooking 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the peppers are crisp-tender with light blistering.
  5. 5Return the chicken to the skillet, add the water chestnuts, then pour in the sauce. Stir constantly over medium-high heat for 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens, coats everything evenly, and turns glossy and sticky.
  6. 6Stir in the green onions and sesame seeds. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or soy sauce as needed.
  7. 7Divide the pineapple chicken evenly into 4 airtight containers while hot. Cool to room temperature before sealing and refrigerating.
  8. 8Serve over rice with an additional sprinkle of green onions.

Nutrition — Per Serving

300

calories

41g

protein

9g

fat

Carbohydrates
11g
Saturated fat
1.4g
Sodium
800 mg
Dietary fiber
1.0g

4 servings per batch · ~226g each

Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central

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Common questions

How much protein does Pineapple Chicken have per serving?

Each serving contains 41g of protein and 300 calories, making it one of the leanest high-protein options available. The macro split is 9g fat and 11g carbs, so you're getting protein-dense calories with minimal carbohydrate load.

How long does Pineapple Chicken take to prep?

This recipe is marked as quick prep and batch-makes 4 servings on the stovetop, so you can have multiple meals ready in under 20 minutes total. That translates to roughly 5 minutes per serving when meal prepping for the week.

Is Pineapple Chicken good for fat loss?

At 300 calories and 41g protein per serving with only 11g carbs, this recipe is built for fat loss phases where you're targeting a caloric deficit. The high protein-to-calorie ratio keeps you satiated while preserving muscle mass during a cut.

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