Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken Recipe
Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken is a sweet and tangy Hawaiian-inspired dish featuring juicy chicken pieces coated in a caramelized glaze made from brown sugar, soy sauce, and pineapple juice. Baked with tender pineapple chunks, this sticky-sweet main course offers the perfect blend of savory and fruity flavors, ideal for weeknight dinners or whenever you crave a tropical taste sensation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Hawaiian-inspired
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into chunks
Sauce and Glaze
- 1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks with juice (do not drain)
- ½ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp ground ginger (or 1 tbsp fresh grated)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
Seasonings & Others
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Chopped green onions (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat and prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prepare for baking.
- Season the chicken: Toss the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and garlic powder until evenly coated, ensuring flavor throughout.
- Brown the chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the chicken pieces for about 4 minutes, turning occasionally to develop a nice sear and lock in juices.
- Make the glaze: In a bowl, whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice from the can, rice vinegar, ground or fresh ginger, and cornstarch until smooth and well combined.
- Assemble and bake: Place the browned chicken and pineapple chunks into the prepared baking dish. Pour the glaze evenly over the top and gently stir to combine. Cover the dish with foil.
- Bake covered: Bake the covered dish in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes to allow the chicken to cook through and the flavors to meld.
- Caramelize the glaze: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5–10 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, creating a delicious sticky coating on the chicken.
- Serve: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after baking. Garnish with chopped green onions if desired. Serve over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Notes
- Chicken thighs stay juicier, but breasts provide a leaner option.
- The sauce will thicken as it cools, so don’t worry if it appears thin immediately after baking.
- Apple cider vinegar can be used as a substitute for rice vinegar.
- Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce for a spicy kick, if desired.
- This dish is excellent for meal prep; the flavors deepen when reheated the next day.
Keywords: brown sugar pineapple chicken, Hawaiian chicken recipe, baked pineapple chicken, sweet and tangy chicken, pineapple glaze chicken, easy chicken dinner, family dinner recipes, tropical chicken dish, baked chicken thighs, chicken breasts pineapple
Find it online: https://foodbylina.com/brown-sugar-pineapple-chicken-recipe/
