A Sweet & Hot Adventure in a Bowl! 🍛🌶️🍍

Craving something with a perfect balance of spicy heat and sweet tropical flair? Look no further! My Spicy Thai Chicken and Pineapple Curry is just the thing to brighten up your dinner — bold, vibrant, and surprisingly easy to make, even in a tiny kitchen.

I had leftover pineapple that begged to be used, and the idea of combining its juicy sweetness with fiery Thai flavors was too tempting to resist. Plus, I opted for ground chicken because, let’s be honest, managing whole chicken breasts in a tiny space with a limited sink isn’t exactly a walk in the park. 😅

Served over fluffy white rice, this dish not only satisfies the taste buds but also makes enough leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch or snack attacks. And the best part? You can adjust the spice level to suit your mood!

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What you’ll need (serves 3-4):

• 2 tbsp sesame oil (olive works too, but sesame adds extra flavor!)
• 1 lb ground chicken (or pork) 🍗
• Salt & black pepper 🧂🖤
• 2 tbsp minced garlic 🧄
• 1 tbsp minced ginger 🥢
• 3 tbsp red Thai curry paste 🌶️
• Red chili flakes (to your spice preference) 🌶️🔥
• Dash of cayenne 🌶️🔥
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced 🌶️
• ¾ cup pineapple chunks🍍
• ⅓ cup soy sauce 🥢
• 2 tbsp honey 🍯

For the garnish:
Chopped fresh basil and cilantro, sliced scallions, lime wedges — because toppings make everything better!

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How to make this spicy tropical goodness:

1. Heat it up: Over medium-high heat, add the sesame oil to your pan until hot. Toss in the ground chicken, letting it sit without disturbing for 2-3 minutes until it starts to brown. Season with a good amount of ground pepper and a touch of salt. Then, break it apart with your spatula and cook through.
2. Brown and season: Once the chicken is cooked, add the butter to one side of the pan. Let it melt and get a little golden. Tilt the pan and let the butter run under the meat. Toss in the garlic and ginger.
3. Spice it up: Stir in the Thai curry paste, chili flakes, and cayenne. Cook for a couple more minutes to develop those bold flavors.
4. Bring the tropical heat: Add half of the pineapple and the sliced bell pepper. Cook everything together for 2 minutes.
5. Finish with sweetness and salt: Pour in the soy sauce and honey, stir well, and simmer for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats everything beautifully.
6. Serve & garnish: Scoop over steaming white rice, then top with fresh basil, cilantro, scallions, and a squeeze of lime.

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Bonus tips:

• Feel free to add other veggies like snap peas or baby corn!
• Adjust the spice level — more chili flakes or cayenne for heat, less for mild.
• Save the leftovers — they taste even better the next day!

This dish is a flavorful, quick escape to Thailand — right from your tiny kitchen or van! Enjoy the perfect harmony of sweet, spicy, and savory in every bite.

#LeslieCooksInAVan #ThaiFood #SpicyAndSweet #VanLifeEats #FoodieAdventure #TropicalVibes