Introduction

This Pineapple Chicken recipe combines tender, juicy chicken with a sweet and tangy pineapple glaze. It’s an easy, flavorful dish perfect for dinner any night of the week. The caramelized sauce adds a delightful touch that pairs wonderfully with rice or steamed vegetables.

Delicious Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into medium chunks
1 can pineapple chunks (20 oz), with juice (do not drain)
0.5 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
0.33 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 teaspoon ground ginger (or 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
Red pepper flakes (optional, for a touch of heat)
Chopped green onions (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
Step 2: Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Step 3: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the seasoned chicken for about 4 minutes until golden but not fully cooked.
Step 4: In a bowl, whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice from the can, rice vinegar, ground ginger, and cornstarch until smooth.
Step 5: Transfer the browned chicken to the prepared baking dish. Pour the pineapple chunks with juice over the chicken, then drizzle the glaze on top. Stir gently to coat everything evenly.
Step 6: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25–30 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the sauce thickens.
Step 7: Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 5–10 minutes to caramelize the glaze.
Step 8: Allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped green onions or reserved pineapple chunks if desired.

Tips & Variations

Use fresh grated ginger instead of ground for a brighter, fresher flavor.
Substitute chicken thighs for breasts for juicier meat.
Add red pepper flakes to the glaze for a spicy kick.
Serve over jasmine or basmati rice to soak up the delicious sauce.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop to preserve the sauce’s texture. Avoid overcooking during reheating to keep the chicken tender.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen pineapple chunks?

Yes, thaw frozen pineapple chunks before using. Fresh or canned work best for this recipe due to their juice content.

Is it necessary to brown the chicken first?

Browning the chicken adds flavor and texture but skipping this step is possible if you’re short on time. Just expect a milder flavor and softer texture.

Delicious Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken Recipe

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5 from 97 reviews

This Pineapple Chicken recipe combines tender chunks of boneless skinless chicken with a sweet and tangy pineapple glaze, baked to perfection for a deliciously caramelized finish. The dish features a flavorful mix of brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and ginger, making it a perfect balance of savory and sweet. Easy to prepare and wonderfully aromatic, this recipe is great for a family dinner or meal prep.

Author: Sophie
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into medium chunks
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons olive oil (for browning)

Sauce and Glaze

1 can pineapple chunks (20 oz can, with juice, do not drain)
0.5 cup brown sugar (light or dark, depending on flavor depth)
0.33 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 teaspoon ground ginger (or 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger)
1 tablespoon cornstarch (helps thicken the sauce)

Optional Garnish

Red pepper flakes (optional, for a touch of heat)
Chopped green onions

Instructions

Rest: Allow the chicken to come to room temperature for even cooking.
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Season the Chicken: Season the chicken chunks evenly with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to infuse the meat with flavor.
Brown the Chicken in a Skillet: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and brown them for about 4 minutes total, turning occasionally. The chicken should be golden on the outside but not cooked through.
Whisk the Pineapple Glaze: In a mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice from the can (do not drain the chunks), rice vinegar, ground ginger, and cornstarch. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Assemble in Baking Dish: Transfer the browned chicken pieces to the prepared baking dish. Pour the pineapple chunks with their juice over the chicken. Drizzle the pineapple glaze evenly over the mixture. Gently stir to coat the chicken and pineapple with the sauce.
Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. During this time, the chicken will cook thoroughly to 165°F and the sauce will thicken.
Caramelize Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5 to 10 minutes. This step caramelizes the glaze, creating a delicious sticky coating on the chicken.
Rest and Garnish: Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after baking to allow the flavors to settle. Garnish with chopped green onions and, if desired, sprinkle with red pepper flakes for a bit of heat. Serve warm.

Notes

Using low sodium soy sauce helps control the saltiness of the dish.
Do not drain the pineapple chunks; their juice is essential for the glaze.
You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts if you prefer darker, juicier meat.
The cornstarch ensures a nicely thickened sauce; mix it well to avoid lumps.
Adjust brown sugar type (light or dark) depending on desired flavor richness.
For extra heat, add red pepper flakes to taste.
Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 2-3 days and reheat nicely.

Keywords: pineapple chicken, baked pineapple chicken, sweet and tangy chicken, pineapple glaze chicken, easy chicken recipe, baked chicken with pineapple