Chicken Teriyaki Pineapple Bowls

Savory chicken and sweet pineapple are a match made in heaven, and work so well alongside the rice and veggies in this Chicken Teriyaki Pineapple bowl. This is one of those “can’t stop thinking about it” recipes for me. I don’t want to wait for the next pineapple season. I want it now.

Teriyaki Chicken and Pineapple

You ever have one of those moments when a food idea just sticks in your brain? That was me after a chat with my friend Jill a while back. She told me about her family’s pineapple tacos, and I swear I couldn’t stop thinking about them. Sweet, juicy pineapple mixed with savory chicken? Count me all the way in!

Well, fast forward a few weeks. Pineapples went on sale, and you can be sure I grabbed one. I was on a mission. And, let me tell you, this flavor combination was every bit as awesome as I had hoped.

Chicken Pineapple Bowl

Now, I must confess, I’m more of a bowl gal. I think it stems from my love of all things salad, but I will absolutely take a bowl with fresh vegetables over a tortilla most of the time. I love tortillas, too! But, usually, it’s a bowl for me. It’s just my preference.

So, after making them as tacos, I adapted the recipe just a bit so that everyone could eat it however they wanted. Now, I get a chicken teriyaki pineapple bowl, and my boys load up their tacos. This is one of those meals that just works, no matter how you eat it.

Chicken Teriyaki Pineapple Bowl

Teriyaki chicken and pineapple may sound like a weird pair. But, it works for the same reason that Hawaiian pizza does. The same reason that salted chocolate cookies are unforgettably good. Savory and sweet make for a killer combination, especially in this chicken pineapple bowl.

These bowls actually remind me a little of one of my Grandmother McGinnis’s old recipes. She called them volcanoes. It was basically a little kid’s dream come true. She always had everything set out and neatly arranged in dainty serving dishes on her long kitchen island. My siblings and I would line up to build our volcanoes, heaping up a pile of rice and then topping it with whatever we wanted.

Pineapple Chicken and Rice

I would always make mine with chicken, pineapple tidbits, finely shredded cheese, green onions, and crunchy chow mein noodles. At the end of the line, there was a tureen of brown gravy for those of us who wanted to add “lava” on top. No one skipped that step.

For me, that odd combination of flavors still works. It gives me a rush of nostalgia. I try to hold onto those magical moments from my childhood, even as I now have adult children. That said, I have shared this meal with my husband. And, he does not share my love of it.

I think that’s part of the reason why I enjoy these bowls so much. He enjoys this meal just as much as I do, and I get the added glimmer of nostalgia.

Chicken and Pineapple Recipes

If you still aren’t convinced to try this flavor combination, then I will take one final crack at my role as Sam-I-Am. Give at least one of these a try!

I cannot resist these grilled chicken sandwiches with pineapple. Mildly spicy, grilled chicken, melting cheese, and topped with a grilled slice of fresh sweet pineapple, even your pickiest eater will love these.

If you’re in a hurry, you can’t go wrong with a chicken stir fry. This sweet and sour meal comes together in just minutes, and features colorful bell peppers and fresh pineapple. And, don’t worry about the heat. You can adjust the spice level completely to your taste.

Also, if you want to try these bowls without the Hoisin, you can always swap in easy teriyaki sauce for the one linked below. They’re fabulous, either way!

{originally published 11/29/2011 – recipe notes and photos updated 10/20/2025}