Pineapple Chicken Rice Packets (Printable Version)

Grilled chicken, pineapple, veggies, and rice cooked in foil packets for a tasty, hassle-free meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 for gluten-free
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

→ Others

16 - Nonstick cooking spray or olive oil for foil

# Directions:

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

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks inside its own little foil tent, so your grill stays cleaner and you don't lose any of those precious juices to the flames.
  • The sweet-and-savory combo with fresh pineapple and ginger hits different—it's tropical enough to feel like a mini vacation but grounded enough for a regular Tuesday night.
  • You can prep these packets in the afternoon and just pop them on the grill when you're ready, which means less scrambling when guests arrive.
02 -
  • Don't be fooled by how quiet foil packets cook—there's serious steam action happening inside, so always open them away from your face and give them a few seconds before you dive in.
  • If your chicken seems done but the rice is still crunchy, you've either gone too hot on the grill or didn't let the packets sit long enough; the rice needs the full 25-30 minutes to absorb liquid and soften, so patience here isn't optional.
03 -
  • Heavy-duty foil is worth buying specifically for this—the regular stuff tears too easily and ruins the whole operation when you're mid-cook.
  • If you want to prep these ahead, assemble the packets up to 4 hours in advance, keep them in the fridge, and just add an extra 3-5 minutes to the grill time since they'll be cold when they hit the heat.
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