Pineapple Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

Thai Pineapple Fried Rice is full of the perfect combination of Thai flavors, and an easy, crowd pleasing weeknight meal!

Why you’ll love this recipe

• LEARN FROM AN EXPERT THAI COOKING CLASS TEACHER: A Thai cooking class instructor (aka me, Sherri! :)) will be sharing with you step-by-step all my top Thai cooking secrets in this recipe!
• EASY WEEKNIGHT CROWD PLEASER DINNER: A fun new twist on a classic Thai fried rice recipe that will make all your people happy! 
• USE UP THOSE LEFTOVERS: Perfect way to use leftover rice that you don’t want to throw away!

What is Pineapple Chicken Fried Rice?

Pineapple Chicken Fried Rice in Thai is “Khaw Pad Gai Supparod”, which literally means Stir-Fried Chicken Pineapple Rice. It contains all the amazing Thai flavors that made me fall in love with Thai food:

• sweet from the juicy fresh pineapple
• sour from the zesty lime
• umami from the fish sauce
• savory from the chicken or sausage
• spicy from the Thai chilies, if you want, YES! I want!

Sherri’s Story

Pineapple Chicken Fried Rice changed my life forever.

It was the first Thai dish I ever tasted. I had it in Chapel Hill, NC with my first Thai friend, Yui. She was studying abroad where I went to university, UNC Chapel Hill, and we were conversation partners

Apparently I was supposed to help her with her English, but we skipped over English lessons, and instead became fast friends. Usually we could be found eating good food all over Franklin Street and laughing all the time.

I’ll never forget when I went with her to my first ever Thai restaurant, and I ordered Pineapple Chicken Fried Rice.

I scooped a bite out of the cute pineapple shell bowl onto my spoon, put it in my mouth, and once the Thai flavors hit my tongue, it was like meeting someone for the first time, but connecting like I’ve always known them.

I had never eaten a dish that had such an array of flavors packed in it all at once: fish sauce, lime, cashews, green onion, pineapple, turmeric, and garlic.

I couldn’t stop saying, “This is so good!!! Wow! Does all Thai food have so much flavor? This is amazing! Why have I never eaten Thai food before?? I’ve been missing out my whole life!”

From that moment I fell in love with Thai food, and I’ve only fallen more in love since.

Whenever I make it at home, I’m so so glad I did. It reminds me of why I first fell in love with Thai food, and what a gift it is that now I can just make it at home in America whenever I want.

Whether you’ve just started trying to cook Thai food, or have always loved it, this recipe is for you!

Make Pineapple Chicken Fried Rice today, and fall in love all over again with Thai food!!

Ingredient Notes

Uh-oh! Don’t have some of these ingredients? Don’t worry! Just look below for how to sub them in my Additions and Substitutions section!

• 2 eggs: Adding eggs provides richness and texture.
• 5 garlic cloves, finely chopped: Fresh garlic is essential for that aromatic kick.
• 1 small white onion, finely chopped: Yellow, white, or red onions add a sweet and savory flavor.
• 1 cup thinly sliced chicken breast: Swap with chicken, shrimp, beef, or tofu or whatever you prefer.
• 1 cup frozen peas and carrots: so pretty, but really use any veggies you have on hand
• 1 cup fresh diced pineapple: you can use canned, but we love fresh!
• 1/2 cup cashews: use any that you have on hand
• 2 cups cooked day-old rice: the drier, the better
• 2 tsp fish sauce, to taste: provides that umami, savory kick.
• 1 tsp oyster sauce, to taste: For depth and a touch of sweetness.
• 1/2 tsp salt (optional), to taste: if it needs more flavor, add salt to taste instead of extra fish sauce or oyster sauce since that can make it more gooey
• 1/2 tsp turmeric: brings earthy notes of ginger and pepper with a touch of sweetness
• 3 green onion stalks cut into 1/4-inch pieces: Green onions provide a fresh, mild onion flavor.
• Handful of cilantro leaves to sprinkle on each serving: Adds sharp, clean notes and sprinkled on each serving makes Pineapple Chicken Fried Rice look extra pretty!
• 1 lime quartered to serve with each serving: The citrusy kick adds a sharper, fresher flavor.

How to Make Pineapple Chicken Fried Rice: Step by Step

1. Warm a few teaspoons of cooking oil of your choice in a wok over medium high heat.
2. Add the garlic, onions, Thai chilies (if using) and stir-fry until fragrant.
3. Add more oil if needed, and the eggs and scramble until set.
4. Add the chicken, and stir-fry until cooked through. 
5. Add peas and carrots (or whatever veggies you have in your fridge you want to use up), cashews and pineapple. Stir-fry until warmed through.
6. Once everything is fully cooked, scoop all that is in the wok into a separate container.
7. Add a tablespoon or two of cooking oil to your wok on medium high heat.
8. Make sure you’ve broken up the rice, so it’s not in any big chunks. Add the rice to the wok, and stir-fry until warm and glistening.
9. Add the turmeric. Stir-fry until the rice has become a sunny yellow, and turn off the heat.
10. Add back the ingredients you took out, and also add in the green onions, and sauces. I usually don’t measure my sauces, and instead add a little at a time, and taste it until it reaches the flavor I like.
11. WARNING! Be careful not to add too much fish sauce or oyster sauce because then your fried rice will be gooey! Add only a few teaspoons of the sauces, and if it’s still not savory enough, add a little salt at a time until it reaches the flavor you like.
12. Sprinkle cilantro on top, and add a wedge of lime on the side of each serving.
13. Enjoy your Pineapple Chicken Fried Rice!

Storage & Reheating

Fridge: 

• According to the USDA, leftovers like Pineapple Chicken Fried Rice are still good after 3-4 days of being in the fridge.

Freezer:

• According to the USDA, leftovers like Pineapple Chicken Fried Rice are still good after 3-4 months of being frozen. 

Reheat:

• To defrost, place it in the fridge overnight and use within one day of thawing. Or heat small portions in the microwave.

Recipe Tips & Tricks

One of my most helpful posts for fried rice is 5 Tips on How to Make Perfect Fried Rice! Here are the tips, but go to the post to see the full explanations: 

1. Keep the rice grains separate after making the rice to use for fried rice.
2. Start with a day or even better a few days old rice.
3. Don’t add much sauce.
4. Chop your ingredients into uniform, bite-sized pieces.
5. Figure out what ratio of rice to other ingredients you like.

Want more details? Check out my full post on tips for making fried rice here! 

Additions and Substitutions

• Chicken substitute: sausage, which is our fav meat with it, shrimp, beef, or tofu or whatever you prefer.
• Frozen peas and carrots substitute: use any veggies you have on hand that you need to use up from your fridge.
• Thai chilies substitute: leave them out, or use cayenne or Serrano peppers or whatever spicy kick you prefer
• White onion substitute: any onion you prefer, red, yellow or shallots
• Cashews substitute: crushed peanuts or leave them out
• Fish sauce substitute: Kikoman soy sauce, tamari or coconut aminos.
• Oyster sauce substitute: extra soy sauce or a splash of mushroom soy sauce for depth.
• Turmeric substitute: equal parts ginger powder and cumin powder

Your Questions Answered

Is Pineapple Chicken Fried Rice gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free oyster sauce.

Can I use leftover rice?

Yes, day-old cooked rice works best for fried rice as it is drier and absorbs flavors better.

Is Pineapple Chicken Fried Rice spicy?

The spice level can be adjusted by adding more or less Thai chilies or just leave them out.

Other Recipes You’ll Love

• Lad Na : Thai Noodle with Gravy
• Tom Yum Pasta
• Green Curry Fried Rice
• Garlic Pepper Chicken

If you make it, I want to see! Take a pic and tag us on Instagram @thaifoodie.

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