Chicken Pineapple Taco Bowls (Printer-friendly)

Tender spiced chicken meets sweet pineapple salsa atop creamy coconut rice for a fresh, satisfying meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Coconut Rice

01 - 1 cup jasmine rice
02 - 1 cup unsweetened full fat coconut milk
03 - 1 cup water
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Spiced Chicken

05 - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
06 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
07 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
09 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
11 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Pineapple Salsa

14 - 1 1/2 cups fresh pineapple, diced
15 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
16 - 1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced
17 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
18 - Juice of 1 lime
19 - Salt to taste

→ Bowl Assembly

20 - 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
21 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
22 - 1 avocado, sliced
23 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
24 - Lime wedges for serving

# Directions:

01 - In a medium saucepan, combine jasmine rice, coconut milk, water, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
02 - In a large bowl, toss chicken pieces with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fully cooked and lightly browned.
03 - In a medium bowl, combine diced pineapple, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Toss gently to combine and set aside.
04 - Divide coconut rice between four bowls. Top each with cooked chicken, pineapple salsa, black beans, cherry tomatoes, and avocado slices. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 45 minutes, which means you can have this on the table on a weeknight without stress.
  • The pineapple salsa is bright enough that it tastes like a vacation, but it's made with ingredients you probably already have.
  • Everything cooks in one skillet and one pot, so cleanup is honest and quick.
02 -
  • Don't skip resting the rice covered for those 5 minutes after cooking—it's the difference between fluffy grains and a mushy, compacted bowl.
  • Add the avocado right before serving, not earlier, because it browns quickly and loses its creamy appeal if it sits around exposed to air.
  • Make the pineapple salsa at least 10 minutes before serving so the lime juice can soften the pineapple slightly and all the flavors have time to get to know each other.
03 -
  • Make the pineapple salsa in the morning and let it sit in the fridge—it actually gets better as the flavors meld, and then dinner comes together in minutes.
  • Buy pre-cut pineapple from the grocery store if you're short on time; it's not cheating, it's being smart about your evening.
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