Tropical Bourbon Chicken (Or Pork) Pineapple Boat Dinner 🍍

A stunning presentation ~ delicious bourbon teriyaki
meat & fresh fruit relish made this meal a huge hit!

Ingredients:

4 cups finely chopped fresh pineapple (about 1 pound cut pineapple spears or 1 whole medium pineapple)

1 cup chopped cilantro leaves

1 cup seeded & finely chopped Roma tomatoes (about 2 tomatoes)

1 1/2 cups finely chopped mango (about 1 mango)

1 cup diced red onion (about 1/2 an onion)

2 tablespoons lime juice (about 1 lime)

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce

1 tablespoon water

1/2 teaspoon sesame oil

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup rice wine vinegar or rice cooking wine

1 teaspoon minced ginger or 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

4 cloves minced garlic or 1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon cornstarch

2 tablespoons bourbon (or whiskey of your choice)

1 tablespoon avocado oil

2 - 2 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, breasts or pork loin, cut into 1 inch chunks

4 cups cooked rice

Optional Garnishes:

2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds

2 tablespoons cilantro leaves

thin strips of green onions

lime slices

Method:

Cut the pineapple in half lengthwise. Cut and scoop the pineapple from each half. Set aside the hollowed pineapple boats cut side down on paper towels.

Remove and discard the pineapple core. Chop the pineapple and place in a medium/large bowl. Add the cilantro, tomatoes, mango, onion, lime juice, salt and pepper to the pineapple. Stir and set aside to chill in the refrigerator.**

Whisk together the soy sauce, water, sesame oil, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, cornstarch and bourbon in a small bowl. Set aside.

Cook the rice and keep warm.

Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cubed meat to the pan and stir fry until browned and cooked through. Add the bourbon sauce to the pan. Simmer and stir until the meat is coated and and the sauce thickens.

To serve in a pineapple boat, add 1 cup of rice and 1/4 of the meat to a hollowed pineapple half. Top with 1 cup of the pineapple relish. If desired, garnish with 1/2 teaspoon of toasted sesame seeds and/or cilantro or green onions and a lime slice. Makes 2 pineapple boats and 2 to 3 additional servings.***

This meal may also be served in a bowl or on a plate. Add 1 cup of cooked rice to a serving dish. Add 1/4 of the meat on top of or next to the rice. Add 1 cup of the pineapple relish to the dish and if desired, garnish with toasted sesame seeds, cilantro and/or green onions and a lime slice. Makes 4 to 5 servings

**The pineapple relish can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for several hours. Makes about 8 cups.

***The pineapple boats are an attractive way to serve dinner for two, with leftovers for a second meal. If serving a dinner for four, it is best (and easier) to serve the meal in a bowl or on a plate.

Note: 

I plan our meals around what meats are on sale at our local market, especially when a package of chicken is buy one get one free and other meats are marked 40% or 50% off the regularly marked price. This meal is delicious with chicken or pork. 💲🥰