Mango Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry

Meta Description: This vibrant and healthy mango pineapple chicken stir fry is the perfect weeknight meal. With tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and a sweet and savory sauce, this easy recipe is a delicious taste of the tropics.

I used to think that stir fry was something you only got from a Chinese restaurant. My early attempts at home were often a little bland, a little soggy, and just not quite right. I wanted something with a vibrant, fresh flavor, something that tasted like a tropical vacation in a bowl. My usual weeknight dinner rotation was getting a little stale, and I was craving something that was both quick and exciting. My husband, bless his heart, would try to spice things up with different kinds of takeout, but I wanted to be able to make something just as delicious at home.

My culinary breakthrough came during a hot summer day. I had a few mangos and a whole pineapple that were perfectly ripe, and I knew I had to use them. The idea of adding them to a savory dish seemed a little strange at first, but I was feeling adventurous. I decided to make a stir fry, but with a twist. I would create a sweet and savory sauce with soy sauce, ginger, and a touch of honey, and then I would add the fresh mango and pineapple at the very end. The result was a revelation. The chicken was tender, the vegetables were crisp-tender, and the fresh fruit added a burst of juicy, sweet flavor that was completely unexpected and utterly delicious. The sweet and savory sauce coated everything perfectly, and the dish had a wonderful balance of flavors. My husband, who had been watching my stir fry experiment with a little bit of skepticism, took one bite and immediately asked for seconds. My mango pineapple chicken stir fry was a total home run. It was a dish that was healthy, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make. From that day on, it became our new go-to for a quick weeknight meal.

This recipe is proof that you can take a classic dish and make it your own, creating something that is both healthier and more flavorful. It’s a quick, easy, and incredibly versatile meal that is perfect for a busy weeknight or a special occasion. It’s a dish that will transport you to the tropics with every bite and make you feel good about what you’re eating.

🌟 The Key to a Perfect Stir Fry

A great stir fry is all about technique. It’s about cooking the ingredients quickly at a high heat to seal in the flavors and retain their texture. Our chicken stir fry with fruit is no exception. It’s a wonderful balance of sweet and savory flavors and crisp and tender textures.

First, the chicken. We’ll use boneless, skinless chicken breast, which is a lean and healthy protein. Slicing it into thin, uniform pieces ensures that it cooks quickly and evenly. We’ll cook the chicken first and set it aside to prevent it from overcooking and becoming tough.

The vegetables are where the color and crunch come in. A mix of bell peppers, onions, and broccoli provides a great base, but you can use any vegetables you have on hand. The key is to cook them until they are crisp-tender, so they still have a little bite to them. This is a far cry from the soggy vegetables of my early stir fry attempts.

The sauce is what brings all the flavors together. Our sweet and sour stir fry sauce is a simple mix of soy sauce for saltiness, honey for sweetness, and rice vinegar for a little bit of tang. A dash of fresh ginger and garlic adds a wonderful warmth and aromatic flavor. The fresh mango and pineapple are added at the very end, just to warm them through. This prevents them from becoming mushy and allows them to retain their juicy, sweet flavor.

✅ Ingredients You’ll Need

• For the Stir Fry:
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, sliced into thin strips
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
  • 1 cup broccoli florets
  • 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
  • 1 cup fresh mango, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
• For the Sauce:
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • ¼ cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons honey or pure maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
• For Serving (optional):
  • Cooked jasmine rice or quinoa
  • Sliced green onions
  • Toasted sesame seeds

😋 Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

1. Prep the ingredients and sauce: Make sure all your ingredients are prepped and ready to go before you start cooking. Stir-frying is a fast process, and you won’t have time to chop as you go. In a small bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients: soy sauce, chicken broth, honey, rice vinegar, cornstarch, and red pepper flakes (if using). Set the sauce aside.
2. Cook the chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chicken strips in a single layer. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and browned. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
3. Sauté the vegetables: Add the red bell pepper, yellow onion, and broccoli florets to the same wok. Sauté for 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly, until the vegetables are crisp-tender.
4. Add the aromatics: Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the vegetables. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until they are fragrant.
5. Combine and add sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the wok. Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and vegetables. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes, until the sauce has thickened and coated everything.
6. Add the fruit: Add the pineapple chunks and diced mango to the wok. Toss everything together to combine. Cook for another minute, just to warm the fruit through.
7. Serve: Remove the pan from the heat. Serve the mango chicken stir fry immediately over a bed of cooked jasmine rice or quinoa. Garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds if you like.

🍽 Serving & Pairing Suggestions

This mango pineapple stir fry is a complete meal on its own, but it can be a great canvas for a variety of side dishes and pairings. For a full, healthy Asian-inspired feast, serve it with a side of steamed edamame or a simple cucumber salad with a rice vinegar dressing.

A cold, crisp drink is the perfect companion to the sweet and savory flavors of the stir fry. A classic iced green tea or a simple sparkling water with a squeeze of fresh lime would be a perfect match.

For a fun, interactive meal, you can set out bowls of different toppings like chopped peanuts, fresh basil leaves, or extra red pepper flakes. This is a great way to let everyone customize their bowl to their liking.

📝 Creative Recipe Variations

One of the best things about this chicken stir fry with pineapple is how easy it is to customize. You can make it your own with a few simple tweaks.

• Different proteins: Not a fan of chicken? No problem! This recipe is also delicious with shrimp, thinly sliced beef, or even a plant-based protein like tofu. Just remember to adjust the cooking time as needed.
• Vary the vegetables: Feel free to swap out the vegetables for your favorites. Snow peas, sliced carrots, or baby corn would all be great additions. Just be sure to cut them into similar sizes so they cook evenly.
• Add a little heat: If you like your stir fry spicy, you can add a little more red pepper flakes to the sauce. You could also add a tablespoon of a zesty, spicy sauce like Sriracha or chili garlic sauce to the wok at the end.
• Make it vegan: To make this a vegan stir fry, simply use a plant-based protein like tofu or tempeh. Swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth and ensure your honey is swapped for pure maple syrup.

❓ Common Questions & Troubleshooting

My sauce is too thin. What should I do?

The cornstarch in the sauce is what helps to thicken it. If your sauce is too thin, it’s likely that you didn’t cook it for long enough. Simply let it simmer for a few more minutes, stirring constantly, until it has thickened. You can also mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with a teaspoon of water and stir it into the sauce.

Why should I cook the chicken first?

The key to tender, juicy chicken is to not overcook it. By cooking it first and setting it aside, you ensure that it is perfectly cooked before you add it back in at the end to warm it through. This prevents it from becoming tough and rubbery.

Can I use canned fruit?

I highly recommend using fresh mango and pineapple for this recipe. Canned fruit is often packed in syrup and can be mushy. The fresh fruit provides a much brighter, more vibrant flavor and a better texture. You can use frozen fruit in a pinch, but the flavor won’t be quite as bright.

How long does this stir fry last in the fridge?

This stir fry is a great meal prep option. It stores beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will actually get better overnight, so it’s a great dish to make ahead for lunch.

Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and can vary based on specific ingredients and serving size. This data is for a standard preparation and may change with substitutions.

❤️ My Final Thoughts

This mango pineapple chicken stir fry is more than just a recipe; it’s a a joyful, flavorful experience that proves that cooking can be a fun and delicious adventure. It’s a dish that will transport you to the tropics with every bite and make you feel good about what you’re eating. It’s the perfect answer to a busy weeknight and a wonderful way to shake up your dinner routine.

I hope this recipe inspires you to get creative in your own kitchen and to try a new combination of flavors. It’s a wonderful, versatile dish that will become a go-to in your meal rotation. I’d love to hear how your stir fry turned out and what kind of delicious variations you came up with. Happy cooking!