
This air fryer pineapple chicken transforms your kitchen into a tropical paradise in just 15 minutes. The sweet pineapple caramelizes perfectly while the chicken gets that irresistible golden exterior that's impossible to achieve in a regular oven.
I created this recipe last summer when my air fryer was the only cooking appliance I wanted to use during a heatwave. Now it's my go-to dinner whenever friends stop by unexpectedly and I need something impressive without much effort.
Ingredients
- Fresh pineapple chunks for natural sweetness and caramelization
- Red bell pepper adds vibrant color and mild sweetness
- Boneless chicken breast provides lean protein that cooks quickly
- Fresh ginger brings warmth and complexity to the sauce
- Minced garlic creates an aromatic foundation
- Teriyaki sauce delivers umami and salty notes
- Barbecue sauce adds smoky sweetness and helps create a glaze
How To Make Air Fryer Pineapple Chicken
- Create the Sauce Base:
- Combine grated ginger, minced garlic, teriyaki sauce, and barbecue sauce in a large bowl, whisking thoroughly to blend the flavors. The fresh ginger is crucial here it infuses the sauce with a warmth that powdered ginger simply cannot match. Make sure your garlic is finely minced to distribute evenly.
- Coat the Ingredients:
- Add the fresh pineapple chunks, chicken cubes, and bell pepper pieces to the sauce mixture. Use a silicone spatula or your hands wearing gloves to ensure every piece gets thoroughly coated. The sauce should cling to all components, creating a thin layer that will caramelize beautifully.
- Arrange in Air Fryer:
- Transfer the coated mixture to your air fryer basket, spreading it in a relatively even layer. Some overlap is fine, but avoid piling too high as this prevents proper air circulation. If your air fryer is smaller, consider cooking in two batches for optimal results.
- Air Fry to Perfection:
- Set your air fryer to 400°F and cook for 11 minutes total. Around the 5-6 minute mark, pause and give everything a good stir or shake to redistribute the ingredients. This ensures even cooking and helps the sauce to glaze all surfaces of the chicken and vegetables.
- Verify Doneness:
- Check that the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F using a meat thermometer. The chicken should be golden with caramelized edges, and the pineapple should have darkened slightly around the edges.
The first time I made this recipe, my teenage son who typically avoids fruit in savory dishes cleaned his plate and immediately asked for seconds. The magic happens when the pineapple caramelizes in the air fryer, creating natural candy-like bites throughout the dish.
Easy Substitutions
This recipe welcomes customization based on what you have available. Chicken thighs work beautifully as a substitute for breast meat, offering even more flavor and moisture. For a vegetarian version, extra-firm tofu cut into 1-inch cubes provides excellent texture and protein. If pineapple isn't your thing, mango chunks offer a similar sweet-tart profile that pairs wonderfully with the sauce ingredients. Green bell peppers can replace red for a slightly different flavor profile, though the dish won't be quite as visually striking.

Serving Suggestions
While rice makes a perfect base for soaking up the delicious sauce, this versatile dish pairs beautifully with so many sides. Try serving it over cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option that still captures all the sauce. Warm flour tortillas transform it into amazing tropical tacos especially when topped with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime. For an impressive dinner party presentation, hollow out half a pineapple and serve the chicken mixture inside the shell. The sweetness of the dish also pairs wonderfully with something spicy on the side, like a small dish of sriracha for drizzling.
Make-Ahead Tips
This air fryer pineapple chicken excels as a meal prep option. You can prepare the sauce and cut all ingredients up to two days ahead, storing them separately in the refrigerator. For even quicker weeknight assembly, portion the chicken, pineapple, and peppers into individual containers or bags, then simply combine with the sauce right before cooking. The finished dish reheats beautifully in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, though the air fryer does an even better job of restoring the original texture with just 3 minutes at 350°F.

Recipe FAQs
- → Can I use canned pineapple instead of fresh?
Yes, canned pineapple chunks can be substituted for fresh. Just make sure to drain them thoroughly before adding to the sauce mixture to prevent excess liquid that might dilute the flavors.
- → What can I substitute for teriyaki sauce?
If you don't have teriyaki sauce, you can use a mixture of soy sauce, brown sugar, and a dash of rice vinegar. Add a teaspoon of cornstarch if you want to maintain the thicker consistency.
- → How do I know when the chicken is done cooking?
The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. If you don't have a thermometer, cut into a larger piece - it should be white throughout with no pink remaining.
- → What other vegetables work well in this dish?
Green bell peppers, onions, zucchini, and broccoli all work wonderfully. Just make sure to cut them in similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly with the chicken.
- → Can I make this dish ahead of time?
You can prepare the sauce and cut all ingredients ahead of time, storing them separately in the refrigerator. Combine and cook in the air fryer just before serving for best results.
- → What can I serve with this dish besides rice?
This pineapple chicken pairs wonderfully with quinoa, cauliflower rice, or noodles. For a lower-carb option, serve over a bed of steamed vegetables.