Delicious Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken Recipe
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.
- 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
