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Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 119 reviews

A delicious and easy Pineapple Chicken recipe featuring tender chicken chunks baked in a sweet and tangy pineapple glaze with a caramelized finish. Perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner with a tropical twist.

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

Glaze & Sauce

  • 1 can pineapple chunks (20 oz can) including 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

Optional Garnish

  • Red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • Chopped green onions

Instructions

  1. Rest: Allow all ingredients and chicken to come to room temperature before starting the cooking process to ensure even cooking.
  2. 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.
  3. Season the Chicken: Season the chicken chunks evenly with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to build flavor.
  4. Brown the Chicken in a Skillet: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and brown them for about 4 minutes total, turning occasionally, until they are golden on the outside but not fully cooked through.
  5. Whisk the Pineapple Glaze: In a mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice from the can, rice vinegar, ground ginger, and cornstarch. Whisk until the cornstarch is fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
  6. Assemble in Baking Dish: Transfer the browned chicken to the prepared baking dish. Pour the pineapple chunks along with their juice over the chicken. Drizzle the pineapple glaze evenly on top. Gently stir to coat the chicken pieces with the sauce and pineapple.
  7. Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the sauce begins to thicken.
  8. Caramelize Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5–10 minutes uncovered to caramelize and thicken the glaze, giving it a sticky, flavorful finish.
  9. Rest and Garnish: Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after baking to allow flavors to meld. Garnish with chopped green onions and, if desired, additional reserved pineapple chunks or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat before serving.

Notes

  • Use low sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness of the dish.
  • For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes in the glaze mixture or as a garnish.
  • Both chicken breasts and thighs work well; thighs offer juicier results.
  • Make sure not to overcook when browning chicken—it should only be browned, not cooked through.
  • If using fresh ginger, finely grate it to get maximum flavor.
  • To keep calories lower, you can reduce the amount of brown sugar slightly.

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

Find it online: https://cookwithyana.com/brown-sugar-pineapple-chicken-recipe/