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Air Fryer Pineapple Chicken

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Air Fryer Pineapple Chicken is a quick and flavorful dish combining tender chicken, caramelized pineapple, and bell peppers in a sweet-savory glaze. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a tropical-inspired weeknight meal.

Ingredients

  1. 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thigh, cut into 1-inch cubes
  2. 2 tbsp cornstarch
  3. Salt and black pepper, to taste
  4. 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks (or canned, drained)
  5. 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips or chunks
  6. 1/2 cup pineapple juice
  7. 2 tbsp soy sauce or teriyaki sauce
  8. 1 tbsp BBQ sauce (optional, for smoky flavor)
  9. 2 tbsp brown sugar
  10. 2 cloves garlic, minced
  11. 1/2 tsp ginger, fresh or powdered
  12. 1/4 cup water (to adjust sauce consistency)
  13. 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (slurry)
  14. Optional garnish: sliced green onions, sesame seeds

Instructions

Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).

  1. Toss chicken cubes with cornstarch, salt, and pepper until well coated.
  2. Arrange chicken and bell pepper pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 5 minutes, flip, then cook another 5–6 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F and is golden.
  3. Meanwhile, in a saucepan combine pineapple juice, soy or teriyaki sauce, BBQ sauce (if using), brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. Bring to a simmer until sugar dissolves.
  4. Add cornstarch slurry to the sauce, stirring until thickened and glossy, about 1–2 minutes.
  5. Stir in air-fried chicken, bell peppers, and pineapple chunks until coated evenly in the sauce.
  6. Serve hot over rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice. Garnish with green onions or sesame seeds if desired.

Notes

  • Use chicken thighs for juicier results.
  • Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket—cook in batches if doubling the recipe.
  • Pineapple can be fresh or canned, but fresh caramelizes better.
  • For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
  • Adjust sweetness by reducing or increasing brown sugar as desired.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://thefamilycooking.com/air-fryer-pineapple-chicken/