Description

This Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken recipe offers a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors with tender, juicy chicken simmered in a luscious pineapple glaze. The combination of brown sugar, soy sauce, and pineapple juice, enriched with ginger and garlic, creates a deliciously caramelized sauce baked to perfection. Easy to prepare and ideal for a weeknight dinner, this dish pairs wonderfully with rice or steamed vegetables.

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 and Sauce

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

Optional Garnish

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

Instructions

Rest: Prepare all ingredients and equipment; ensure chicken is cut into medium-sized chunks.
Preheat the Oven: Set 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 evenly with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to build a flavorful base.
Brown the Chicken in a Skillet: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and brown them for about 4 minutes, turning occasionally until golden but not fully cooked through.
Whisk the Pineapple Glaze: In a mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice from the can, rice vinegar, ground ginger, and cornstarch. Whisk well until the mixture is smooth and cornstarch is fully dissolved, ensuring a thickened sauce upon cooking.
Assemble in Baking Dish: Transfer the browned chicken pieces into the greased baking dish. Pour the pineapple chunks with their juice over the chicken. Drizzle the prepared glaze on top. Stir gently to coat the chicken evenly with sauce and pineapple.
Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F) and the sauce has thickened.
Caramelize Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes. This step caramelizes the glaze while deepening the flavor and adding a slight crisp texture on top.
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, sprinkle red pepper flakes for heat or add extra pineapple chunks reserved for serving.

Notes

Choose boneless skinless thighs for juicier chicken or breasts for leaner options.
Adjust brown sugar quantity to taste, using dark brown sugar for a richer flavor.
Use low sodium soy sauce to reduce saltiness and control sodium content.
Fresh grated ginger can be used instead of ground for a brighter ginger flavor.
Serve with steamed rice or vegetables to complement the sweet and savory sauce.
Make sure to brown the chicken well but avoid cooking it through in the skillet to prevent dryness.
Covering during baking helps retain moisture; removing foil in the final stage caramelizes the glaze beautifully.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken, Baked Pineapple Chicken, Sweet and Savory Chicken, Pineapple Glazed Chicken, Easy Dinner Recipes