Roasted chicken over pineapple fried rice
ROASTED CHICKEN OVER PINEAPPLE FRIED RICE
The Weekend Chicken Dinner That Feels Like a Restaurant — Without the ReservationThere are weeknight dinners and there are weekend dinners. This is a weekend dinner. Not because it's hard — it genuinely isn't — but because it's the kind of meal that makes everyone sit down and actually pay attention to what they're eating. The whole chicken pulled apart at the table, the golden pineapple rice piled underneath, the smell coming out of the kitchen for the past hour... It's the kind of cooking that feels like an event.My kids ask for this on repeat. And I'm happy to make it, because the actual work is maybe 25 minutes spread over an hour.The chicken on rice methodThe technique here is something I love and use whenever I can — the whole chicken sits directly on top of the seasoned rice as it cooks in a tagine or Dutch oven. The rice absorbs the water from below while the chicken juices drip down from above. By the time the rice is done, it has absorbed not just water but everything that's been rendering out of that chicken — fat, garlic, salt, all of it. The rice at the bottom of the pot is the most fought-over part of this meal.You can butterfly the chicken before cooking — press it flat by removing the backbone — and it will cook faster and give you more crispy skin surface. Or leave it whole if you prefer the presentation. Both work.The pineapple fried riceThis is not your average fried rice. The base is butter — not oil — which gives it a richer, more savoury foundation. The peppers get properly fried until they're soft and starting to caramelise at the edges. Then comes the garlic, then the pineapple, which you want to cook until it starts to catch and turn golden. That caramelisation is what makes it taste like something a restaurant spent time on.Eggs get scrambled right into the pan, folded through with the vegetables, and then off the heat you add the three things that finish it: toasted sesame oil, coconut aminos, and a squeeze of lemon. Each one doing a specific job — the sesame oil adds depth and nuttiness, the coconut aminos add savoury sweetness without soy, the lemon cuts through the richness and brightens everything. Then the rice goes in and gets folded through, and finally the parsley.The whole thing takes about 15 minutes to make while the chicken is doing its thing.Coconut aminos vs soy sauceI use coconut aminos because I like keeping soy out of our kitchen when I can. They're slightly sweeter and milder than soy sauce and work beautifully in fried rice. If you only have soy sauce, use it — just start with a little less since it's saltier.Putting it togetherSpread the pineapple rice on a big serving plate. Pull the chicken apart — thighs, drumsticks, the breast in thick slices — and lay it on top of the rice. That's it. Set it in the middle of the table and let everyone go at it.This is the kind of meal I love- real ingredients, no shortcuts, and something at the end that looks like you did a lot more than you actually did.Bon appetite! Your fork is waiting!
Servings 4 servings
Calories 664kcal
Equipment
- 1 tagine or Dutch oven
Ingredients
FOR THE CHICKEN
- 1 whole chicken patted dry
- 3 garlic cloves grated or 1.5 tsp dried garlic
- sat to taste
- ground black pepper to taste
FOR THE RICE
- 1 cup long grain white rice rinsed well
- 1 TBSP butter
- 1 red or yellow bell pepper or half of each, diced
- 1 cup fresh pineapple diced
- 2 green onions sliced (whites and greens)
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 2 eggs
- 2 TBPS coconut aminos
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 TBSP fresh lemon juice
- 1 TBSP fresh parsley chopped
- salt to taste
- ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pat the 1 whole chicken, patted dry completely dry with paper towels — this is what gives you crispy skin. Rub all over with the grated 3 garlic cloves, season generously with salt and black pepper. You can butterfly (spatchcock) the chicken if preferred — it will cook faster and more evenly. Set aside.
- Place the 2 cups long grain white rice, rinsed well in a fine mesh colander and rinse under cold running water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and keeps the rice fluffy rather than sticky.
- Add the rinsed rice to a tagine or Dutch oven. Season with a pinch of salt. Add enough cold water to cover the rice, then add one extra finger-length (about 1/3 inch) of water above the rice. Nestle the seasoned chicken on top of the rice. Cover and cook over medium-low heat until the rice is fully cooked and has absorbed all the water and the chicken is cooked through and golden on top—about 1.5 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 165℉. If using a butterflied chicken, check at 1 hour.
- While the chicken cooks, heat the 2 tablespoons butter in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add the red or yellow bell pepper (or half of each), diced and fry until softened and starting to color at the edges, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced a garlic cloves to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Add the fresh diced pineapple and fry for 2–3 minutes until the pineapple caramelizes slightly at the edges. Add the green onions, sliced (whites and greens) and toss everything together. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Whisk the eggs with a pinch of salt. Push the vegetables to the side of the pan, pour the eggs into the cleared space, and scramble until just set. Fold everything together.
- Remove the pan from heat. Add the coconut aminos or soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, and fresh lemon juice and toss to coat. Fold in the cooked rice from the tagine and chopped fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Spread the pineapple fried rice on a large serving plate or platter. Pull the chicken apart — thighs, drumsticks, breast pieces — and arrange on top of the rice. Serve immediately.
Notes
The tagine/Dutch oven method: The chicken essentially steams and roasts at the same time, sitting on top of the rice as it cooks. The chicken juices drip down into the rice as it absorbs the water — which is why the rice tastes so good.
Butterflying the chicken: Flip the chicken breast-side down and cut along both sides of the backbone with kitchen shears to remove it. Press flat. It cooks faster and more evenly, and more skin crisps up.
Pineapple tip: Fresh pineapple caramelises better than canned. Dice it small so it distributes through every bite of rice rather than clumping.
Coconut aminos vs soy sauce: Coconut aminos are slightly sweeter and soy-free — great for those avoiding soy. Regular soy sauce works perfectly too. Either way, a small amount goes a long way.
Make ahead: The chicken can be seasoned and refrigerated uncovered overnight — the dry rub will penetrate deeper and the skin dries out further for even better crisping. The fried rice is best made fresh but reheats well in a hot pan with a splash of butter.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 664kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 225mg | Sodium: 341mg | Potassium: 594mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1492IU | Vitamin C: 66mg | Calcium: 69mg | Iron: 3mg