Sweet, juicy, and weeknight-easy
These pineapple chicken tacos are the perfect mix of sweet, savory, and lightly smoky—everything you want in a fast, feel-good dinner. Juicy chicken pairs with caramelized pineapple for bold tropical flavor that feels restaurant-worthy but comes together quickly at home. Perfect for Taco Tuesday, casual entertaining, or busy weeknights, this recipe uses simple ingredients and minimal prep. If you love easy chicken tacos or crave sweet and savory dinners, this one’s going straight into your regular rotation. Bright, colorful, and family-friendly, these tacos are guaranteed to disappear fast.
⏱️ Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4 (8–10 tacos)
📝 Ingredients List
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 1½ cups fresh pineapple, diced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Juice of 1 lime
- 8–10 small corn or flour tortillas
Optional toppings
- Diced red onion
- Fresh cilantro
- Avocado slices or guacamole
- Sour cream or crema
- Extra lime wedges
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Season the chicken: Place diced chicken in a bowl. Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss until evenly coated.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and cooked through.
- Add pineapple: Stir in diced pineapple and cook for 3–4 minutes until slightly caramelized and juicy 🍍.
- Finish with lime: Squeeze fresh lime juice over the skillet and toss everything together. The mixture should look glossy and smell amazing.
- Warm tortillas: Heat tortillas in a dry pan or microwave while the filling finishes.
- Assemble tacos: Spoon pineapple chicken into tortillas and add your favorite toppings 🌮✨.
💡 Pro Tips
- Extra caramelization: Let the pineapple sit untouched for 30–45 seconds before stirring.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of cayenne or drizzle with hot sauce.
- Meal prep: Store filling in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Swap ideas: Mango works well if pineapple isn’t available.