The sweet tang of pineapple pairs beautifully with tender chicken and umami-rich teriyaki sauce in this show-stopping stuffed pepper dish. Each bell pepper half becomes a colorful, edible bowl filled with hearty rice, caramelized veggies, and sticky-sweet glaze—baked to golden perfection.
Whether you’re feeding a hungry crowd or meal-prepping for the week ahead, this vibrant dish is a guaranteed hit. It’s packed with flavor and nutrients, and easy to modify with whatever ingredients you have on hand. Plus, it brings a little tropical sunshine to your dinner table—even on the busiest weeknight.
Full Recipe:
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4 large bell peppers (any color), halved lengthwise and seeded
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1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
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1 tbsp olive oil
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1 cup cooked brown rice
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1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
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1/2 cup red onion, diced
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1/2 cup bell pepper (any color), diced
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1/4 cup chopped cilantro
For the Teriyaki Sauce:
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1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
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1/4 cup honey
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2 tbsp rice vinegar
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1 tbsp cornstarch
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1 tsp sesame oil
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1/2 tsp ground ginger
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1 clove garlic, minced
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
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Place pepper halves cut-side up in a baking dish.
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In a small saucepan, whisk together all teriyaki sauce ingredients. Heat over medium heat, stirring until thickened. Set aside.
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Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high. Add chicken and cook until golden and cooked through.
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Add pineapple, diced red onion, and bell pepper to the chicken. Sauté 2-3 minutes.
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Stir in cooked rice and 1/2 cup of the teriyaki sauce. Mix thoroughly.
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Spoon filling into the bell pepper halves.
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Drizzle remaining teriyaki sauce over the stuffed peppers. Cover dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
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Remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until peppers are tender.
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Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve hot.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 35 minutes | Total Time: 55 minutes
Kcal: 450 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
A Flavorful Fusion: Teriyaki Pineapple Chicken & Rice Stuffed Peppers
The kitchen is where the magic happens—where humble ingredients transform into comforting, show-stopping meals. One dish that exemplifies this transformation is Teriyaki Pineapple Chicken & Rice Stuffed Peppers. This recipe is a delightful fusion of sweet and savory, combining the tropical brightness of pineapple with the rich, umami depth of teriyaki-glazed chicken, all nestled into tender bell peppers. It’s not only a feast for the taste buds but also a colorful dish that looks as good as it tastes.
In this article, we’ll explore the charm behind this recipe, why it’s such a hit with families and foodies alike, how it aligns with modern dietary trends, and creative ways to serve and customize it. Whether you’re a home cook looking for dinner inspiration or a food blogger looking to tell the story behind your recipe, this write-up offers everything you need to spotlight this delicious dish.
Why This Dish Works
There are plenty of reasons to fall in love with Teriyaki Pineapple Chicken & Rice Stuffed Peppers. It’s one of those recipes that hits the perfect balance between comfort food and health-conscious cooking. For starters, stuffed peppers naturally provide built-in portion control and a high concentration of nutrients. Bell peppers are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber, making them a wholesome base for any filling.
Now layer in tender chicken, a touch of sweetness from pineapple, and a glaze of teriyaki sauce, and you’ve got a dish that’s not just delicious, but also nutritionally balanced. The rice gives it a hearty element, absorbing all the juices and ensuring each bite is packed with flavor. This blend of textures—from the slightly crisp peppers to the juicy chicken and sticky-sweet sauce—is what makes the dish so satisfying.
An East-Meets-West Inspiration
What makes this recipe even more exciting is the cultural fusion it represents. The classic concept of stuffed peppers, typically found in European and American cuisine, is reinvented here with the bold and dynamic flavors of Asian-inspired teriyaki sauce. The inclusion of pineapple brings a Hawaiian touch, while the ginger and garlic nod to traditional Asian stir-fry profiles.
This kind of culinary cross-pollination is incredibly popular in modern home kitchens. It allows cooks to explore diverse flavors while keeping things familiar enough for even picky eaters. It’s a great introduction to Asian flavors for kids or those newer to the cuisine—without needing hard-to-find ingredients or complex cooking methods.
Great for Meal Prep and Busy Weeknights
One of the standout features of this dish is its meal prep potential. The filling can be made ahead of time, stored in the fridge, and quickly stuffed into peppers just before baking. You can also prepare the entire dish and simply reheat it when you’re ready to serve. It holds up well in the refrigerator for several days, and individual portions make it convenient for lunchboxes, work meals, or quick dinners on the go.
The baking process is fairly hands-off, allowing you to multitask while the oven does the work. Unlike many one-pot meals that can get a bit visually dull, this recipe retains its appeal thanks to the vibrant color of the peppers and the glistening teriyaki glaze on top.
A Recipe That Welcomes Customization
Versatility is one of this recipe’s strongest suits. While chicken breast is the protein of choice here, you can easily swap it out for ground turkey, shredded rotisserie chicken, tofu, shrimp, or even pulled pork. Each alternative brings its own unique flavor profile and texture, allowing the dish to be adapted for nearly any dietary preference.
Not a fan of pineapple? Try mango or even mandarin orange segments for a different kind of sweetness. Want to make it vegetarian? Sub the chicken for chickpeas or plant-based crumbles and use a vegetarian teriyaki sauce. Craving extra spice? A dash of sriracha, sliced jalapeños, or crushed red pepper flakes will give the filling a nice heat without overpowering the sweeter elements.
And don’t forget the rice. Brown rice is a hearty, fiber-rich option, but jasmine rice, wild rice, or even quinoa can be used based on availability and preference.
Perfect for Entertaining
Hosting a casual dinner party or backyard get-together? Teriyaki Pineapple Chicken & Rice Stuffed Peppers are a great centerpiece. They look impressive when plated—each pepper acting like its own edible serving bowl—and are easy to serve individually. Add a garnish of chopped cilantro or green onions, and you’ve got a dish that’s both rustic and refined.
Pair the peppers with a light salad, steamed edamame, or a chilled cucumber slaw for a well-rounded meal. You can also set up a toppings bar for guests to add their favorite sauces or garnishes—think sesame seeds, chili oil, or crushed peanuts.
Balanced and Family-Friendly
This dish appeals to both adults and children thanks to its approachable flavors. The teriyaki sauce is slightly sweet, which tends to be a hit with kids, and the presentation inside a colorful pepper can make the meal more engaging for little ones.
For families trying to eat more vegetables or reduce their intake of processed foods, this recipe checks all the boxes. It’s made with whole ingredients, avoids deep-frying, and doesn’t require any specialty equipment. The result is a homemade meal that feels indulgent but supports a healthy lifestyle.
Storage, Reheating, and Freezing Tips
Leftovers store beautifully in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, simply pop them into the oven at 350°F until warmed through, or use a microwave for convenience. For best results, reheat the peppers covered to retain moisture.
If you’d like to freeze the dish, do so before baking. Arrange the stuffed peppers in a freezer-safe container, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to one month. When you’re ready to enjoy them, bake directly from frozen—just add an extra 10–15 minutes to the cook time.
These make-ahead and freezer-friendly benefits make the recipe ideal for new parents, busy professionals, or anyone looking to save time during the week without compromising on flavor or nutrition.
The Nutritional Perspective
At around 450 calories per serving, this dish is a nutrient-dense meal that provides a good balance of macronutrients—lean protein from the chicken, complex carbs from the rice, and fiber from the bell peppers and pineapple. It’s naturally gluten-free when using gluten-free soy sauce and can be adapted for lower sodium or low-sugar diets.
It also avoids heavy cream, butter, or processed sauces, relying instead on natural flavors and aromatics like garlic, ginger, and fruit to bring the dish to life. For those watching their calorie intake, it’s a satisfying meal that won’t leave you feeling weighed down.
Conclusion
Teriyaki Pineapple Chicken & Rice Stuffed Peppers is more than just a recipe—it’s a celebration of bold flavors, vibrant colors, and wholesome ingredients. It embodies the kind of cooking that feels both homey and inspired, offering a creative twist on traditional stuffed peppers by introducing sweet pineapple and savory teriyaki into the mix.
This dish is proof that healthy meals don’t have to be boring, complicated, or expensive. With minimal prep, simple ingredients, and major flavor, it’s the perfect weeknight go-to or crowd-pleasing option for special occasions. Whether you’re serving a busy family, hosting friends, or prepping meals for the week, this recipe offers something for everyone—comfort, nutrition, and a satisfying burst of global flavor in every bite.