Introduction

This Pineapple Chicken recipe brings together tender chicken pieces and a sweet, tangy pineapple glaze for a deliciously balanced meal. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that feels special.

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 chicken for about 4 minutes total, until golden but not fully cooked.
Step 4: In a mixing 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 pineapple chunks with juice over the chicken and drizzle the glaze. Stir gently to coat everything evenly.
Step 6: Cover the 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: Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped green onions or reserved pineapple chunks if desired.

Tips & Variations

Use fresh grated ginger for a brighter, more aromatic flavor.
If you prefer a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes when whisking the glaze.
Serve over steamed rice or quinoa to soak up the delicious sauce.
Substitute chicken thighs for breasts to keep the meat juicy and tender.

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 moisture and flavor.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?

Yes, fresh pineapple chunks can be used, but you may need to adjust the liquid by adding a little water or pineapple juice to maintain enough sauce.

Is it necessary to brown the chicken first?

Browning the chicken adds extra flavor and helps create a nice texture, but you can skip this step if short on time; just bake a bit longer to ensure it’s fully cooked.

Delicious Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 122 reviews

This Pineapple Chicken recipe offers a deliciously sweet and savory meal featuring tender chicken pieces baked in a rich pineapple glaze. The combination of brown sugar, soy sauce, and pineapple juice creates a flavorful sauce that caramelizes perfectly in the oven, making it a crowd-pleaser for family dinners or special occasions.

Author: Marco
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 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 chicken)

Sauce and Glaze

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

Optional Garnishes

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

Instructions

Rest: Allow your chicken pieces to come to room temperature briefly, which ensures even cooking in the oven.
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Season the Chicken: Season the chicken chunks with salt, pepper, and garlic powder evenly to build the base flavor profile.
Brown the Chicken in a Skillet: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the seasoned chicken pieces for about 4 minutes total, turning them to get a golden color on all sides without cooking through.
Whisk the Pineapple Glaze: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice from the can, rice vinegar, ground ginger, and cornstarch until the mixture is smooth and the cornstarch is fully dissolved.
Assemble in Baking Dish: Transfer the browned chicken into the prepared baking dish. Pour pineapple chunks with the juice over the chicken and drizzle the pineapple glaze evenly on top. Stir gently to coat all pieces with the sauce.
Bake Covered: Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F) and the sauce has thickened.
Caramelize Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5 to 10 minutes to allow the glaze to caramelize and intensify in flavor.
Rest and Garnish: Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after baking. Optionally, garnish with chopped green onions and extra pineapple chunks before serving.

Notes

Do not drain the pineapple juice as it is essential for the glaze.
Use low sodium soy sauce to control saltiness in the dish.
For extra heat, sprinkle red pepper flakes before baking.
This recipe works well with either chicken breasts or thighs; thighs remain juicier.
Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
You can substitute rice vinegar with apple cider vinegar if unavailable.

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