Pineapple Ginger Chicken Sauté: Gut-Healthy + Anti-Inflammatory

This simple pineapple ginger chicken sauté is bursting with fresh tropical flavor and powerful anti-inflammatory benefits. Sweet pineapple, warming ginger, and savory chicken come together in a light, nourishing sauce made with coconut aminos, maple syrup, and bone broth. It’s an easy, gut-friendly dinner that supports digestion, reduces inflammation, and is the kind of healthy meal you’ll crave again and again.

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This pineapple ginger chicken sauté is incredibly versatile and can be made in a large skillet, wok, Dutch oven, or even the Instant Pot. Over the years, we’ve made it every way possible, but my favorite method is using our Dutch oven — it cooks everything evenly while allowing the flavors to deepen and the sauce to reduce down. This gut-healthy meal is perfect for busy weeknights.

At the original time of writing this, we were walking through another season of fertility treatments. This pineapple ginger chicken sauté was one of my go-to meals as I prepared my body for an embryo transfer. It’s light and gentle on digestion, yet rich in nutrients, antioxidants, and bromelain — all of which help support gut health and reduce inflammation. During seasons where nourishment matters deeply, this meal has been both comforting and intentional.

The Gut-Healthy & Anti-Inflammatory Benefits of Pineapple Ginger Chicken:

Pineapple: This juicy tropical fruit contains a powerful digestive enzyme called bromelain, which is well-known for its anti-inflammatory and gut-healing properties. Bromelain helps support digestion and may reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain in the body. Pineapple is also rich in vitamin C, which supports immune health and overall wellness. If you’re working to reduce inflammation or support your immune system, especially during cold and flu season, pineapple is a wonderful addition to your diet. My rheumatologist consistently reminds me how beneficial bromelain is when paired with other anti-inflammatory foods like ginger and turmeric.

Ginger: Ginger is one of my favorite anti-inflammatory ingredients. It helps calm inflammation, supports digestion, and boosts immune function. Ginger has also been shown to support circulation and ease pain, which is why I try to incorporate it into as many meals and beverages as possible.

Here are a few of my favorite recipes with ginger that I hope you’ll enjoy too:

• Immune-Boosting Blue Spirulina Juice
• Gut-Healthy Ginger Orange Chicken
• Gluten-Free Ginger Turkey Noodle Soup
• Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies with Fresh Ginger

Garlic: Garlic contains a compound called allicin, which has powerful antimicrobial and antiviral properties. It helps the immune system fight infections while also providing antioxidants that protect the body from oxidative stress. Garlic is a staple in anti-inflammatory cooking and adds both flavor and healing benefits to this dish.

Bone Broth: Bone broth is incredibly gut-healing and rich in collagen, which supports joint health, reduces inflammation, and nourishes the gut lining. Collagen is also beneficial for healthy skin, hair, and nails. Bone broth is something I try to include daily, whether in soups, sauces, or warm drinks. I love using my Instant Pot recipe for homemade bone broth, which you can find here: Homemade Bone Broth.

Apple Cider Vinegar: For the most benefits, be sure to use raw, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar. It contains beneficial probiotics to support digestion and nutrient absorption. Apple cider vinegar also has antimicrobial properties that can help balance gut bacteria and support detoxification. I love using it in sauces, dressings, and marinades — and it’s also a staple in my natural hair care routine.

Pineapple Ginger Chicken Sauté Recipe:

You will need the following simple, whole-food ingredients:

Before starting, it’s helpful to peel, chop, and prepare all of your produce and chicken. Having everything ready makes this recipe come together quickly and smoothly.

• 1 lb chicken breast, cubed
• 2 tbsp avocado or coconut oil
• 2″ chunk of ginger, peeled and finely chopped
• 5 cloves of garlic, peeled and finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1 pineapple, cut into small chunks

Sauce:

• 1/4 cup coconut aminos
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup bone broth
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 tsp arrowroot powder (or another thickening agent)

Serving:

• Cauliflower rice or whole grain brown rice for serving
• Cilantro for a garnish

Instructions:

Heat the oil over medium-high heat. I typically use a Dutch oven, but a wok, skillet, or even the Instant Pot sauté function will all work well.

Add the chopped ginger and garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, stirring occasionally, until fragrant.

Add the cubed chicken and salt. Sauté until the chicken is no longer pink and begins to lightly brown, about 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

While the chicken is cooking, prepare the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the coconut aminos, maple syrup, bone broth, apple cider vinegar, and arrowroot powder until smooth.

Once the chicken is no longer pink, add the pineapple and sauté for another minute.

Pour in the sauce and stir to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer and allow it to cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove from heat and let the dish rest for a couple of minutes so the sauce can thicken. Serve over your choice of rice and garnish with fresh cilantro.

Instant Pot Variation of making this Pineapple Ginger Chicken:

Using the sauté function on your Instant Pot, heat the oil and add the ginger and garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute, stirring frequently.

Add the chicken breast and salt, continuing to sauté until the chicken is no longer pink and begins to brown slightly, about 4–5 minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk together the coconut aminos, maple syrup, bone broth, apple cider vinegar, and arrowroot powder in a small bowl.

Once the chicken is cooked, stir in the pineapple and the sauce. Secure the lid and pressure cook for 6 minutes.

Carefully release pressure, then serve over your choice of rice and garnish with fresh cilantro.

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5 from 3 votes

Pineapple Ginger Chicken Sauté

This simple, fresh pineapple ginger chicken sauté is bursting with tropical flavors and anti-inflammatory benefits! The coconut aminos and maple add a gentle sweetness to the sauce which pairs so well with the pineapple and ginger. It's a simple healthy meal that will have you craving more!

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Author thispurelyjoyfullife.com – Kimberley

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast cubed
• 2 tbsp avocado or coconut oil
• 2 inch chunk of ginger peeled and finely chopped
• 5 cloves garlic peeled and finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1 pineapple cut into small chunks

Sauce

• 1/4 cup coconut aminos
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup bone broth
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 tsp arrowroot powder or another thickening agent

Serving

• Cauliflower rice or whole grain brown rice for serving optional
• Cilantro for a garnish optional

Instructions

• Before starting, it’s helpful to peel, chop, and prepare all of your produce and chicken. Having everything ready makes this recipe come together quickly and smoothly.
• Heat the oil over medium-high heat. I typically use a Dutch oven, but a wok, skillet, or even the Instant Pot sauté function will all work well.
• Add the chopped ginger and garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, stirring occasionally, until fragrant.
• Add the cubed chicken and salt. Sauté until the chicken is no longer pink and begins to lightly brown, about 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• While the chicken is cooking, prepare the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the coconut aminos, maple syrup, bone broth, apple cider vinegar, and arrowroot powder until smooth.
• Once the chicken is no longer pink, add the pineapple and sauté for another minute.
• Pour in the sauce and stir to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer and allow it to cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Remove from heat and let the dish rest for a couple of minutes so the sauce can thicken. Serve over your choice of rice and garnish with fresh cilantro.

Notes

Instant Pot Variation:

1. Using the sauté function on your Instant Pot, heat the oil and add the ginger and garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute, stirring frequently.
2. Add the chicken breast and salt, continuing to sauté until the chicken is no longer pink and begins to brown slightly, about 4–5 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, whisk together the coconut aminos, maple syrup, bone broth, apple cider vinegar, and arrowroot powder in a small bowl.
4. Once the chicken is cooked, stir in the pineapple and the sauce. Secure the lid and pressure cook for 6 minutes.
5. Carefully release pressure, then serve over your choice of rice and garnish with fresh cilantro.

If you try this pineapple ginger chicken sauté, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you. Please leave a comment and a recipe rating below — it helps others find this gut-healthy, anti-inflammatory meal and supports my work here. Don’t forget to share a photo and tag @thispurelyjoyfullife on social media — I love seeing how these healing recipes come to life in your kitchen.

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