Pineapple Chicken Rice Foil (Print View)

Savory chicken, pineapple, vegetables, and rice cooked together in foil for a flavorful meal.

# Components:

→ Protein & Grains

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)
02 - 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice, rinsed

→ Fruits & Vegetables

03 - 1.5 cups fresh pineapple chunks or canned and drained
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
06 - 1 cup sugar snap peas, trimmed
07 - 2 green onions, sliced

→ Sauce & Seasonings

08 - 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
09 - 1/4 cup pineapple juice
10 - 2 tablespoons honey
11 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
12 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
13 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
14 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
15 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Other

16 - Nonstick cooking spray or olive oil for foil

# Directions:

01 - Preheat grill to medium-high heat, approximately 400°F (204°C).
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, pineapple juice, honey, olive oil, garlic, ginger, black pepper, and salt until well combined.
03 - Lay out 4 large sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil, approximately 12x16 inches each. Lightly coat the centers with nonstick spray or olive oil.
04 - Evenly divide the uncooked rice among the foil sheets, spreading it in the center of each packet.
05 - Place one chicken breast on top of the rice in each packet.
06 - Arrange pineapple chunks, bell pepper, red onion, and sugar snap peas around and over the chicken.
07 - Drizzle each packet with an equal amount of the prepared marinade.
08 - Fold the foil over the ingredients, sealing each packet tightly to prevent leaks and steam escape.
09 - Place the foil packets on the grill with seam side up. Grill for 25-30 minutes, turning once halfway through, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and rice is tender.
10 - Carefully open the packets while watching for steam. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one sealed packet, so you get restaurant-quality flavors with practically zero cleanup.
  • The foil traps steam and juices, making the chicken almost impossibly tender and keeping the rice from drying out.
  • Sweet pineapple balances savory soy sauce in a way that feels a little fancy without requiring any fancy technique.
02 -
  • Don't skip preheating the grill—a truly hot surface helps the packets cook evenly instead of steaming unevenly on the bottom.
  • Heavy-duty foil matters more than you'd think; regular foil can tear or puncture, and then all your liquid leaks out and you end up with dry rice and regret.
03 -
  • Swap chicken thighs for breasts if you want juicier, more forgiving meat—just add 5 to 10 minutes to your cooking time.
  • Pour the marinade slowly so it distributes evenly rather than pooling in one corner, which guarantees better flavor throughout.
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