Description

Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken is a sweet and savory dish featuring tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts simmered in a rich sauce made from brown sugar, fresh pineapple, soy sauce, and spices. This vibrant and flavorful recipe combines the natural sweetness of pineapple with the depth of soy and ginger, creating a perfect balance of tastes, ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Sauce

1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 cup fresh pineapple chunks (or canned)
½ cup soy sauce
¼ cup ketchup
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon ground ginger

Garnish

Chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)

Instructions

Prep the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt and pepper to taste to enhance the natural flavor of the meat.
Heat the Oil: In a large skillet or frying pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until shimmering to ensure a good sear.
Sear the Chicken: Add the chicken breasts to the hot skillet and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side until they develop a beautiful golden brown crust. Remove the chicken and set aside temporarily.
Prepare the Sauce: Using the same skillet, add the brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, and ground ginger. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients into a smooth sauce base.
Add Pineapple: Stir pineapple chunks into the sauce, allowing their juices to mix and enhance the sweetness and tanginess of the sauce.
Return Chicken: Place the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet, making sure each piece is well coated with the flavorful sauce.
Simmer: Lower the heat to low, cover the skillet tightly, and let the chicken simmer for 20-25 minutes. This slow cooking makes the chicken tender and allows the flavors to meld.
Check Doneness: Confirm the chicken is fully cooked by verifying its internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) using a meat thermometer.
Garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro over the cooked chicken to add a fresh, bright flavor and appealing color contrast.
Serve: Carefully transfer the chicken to a serving platter and drizzle with any remaining sauce from the skillet to maximize flavor.

Notes

Using fresh pineapple chunks boosts flavor but canned pineapple can be used as a convenient alternative.
Ensure you don’t skip searing the chicken; it locks in juices and adds a delicious crust.
You can substitute vegetable oil with olive oil for a healthier twist.
Adjust brown sugar amount to taste if you prefer a less sweet or sweeter sauce.
Serve over steamed rice or alongside sautéed vegetables for a complete meal.
Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days and reheated gently.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Searing and Simmering
Cuisine: American with Asian influence

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
Calories: 420 kcal
Sugar: 25 g
Sodium: 900 mg
Fat: 15 g
Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 40 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 30 g
Cholesterol: 85 mg

Keywords: brown sugar chicken, pineapple chicken, sweet and savory chicken, easy chicken recipe, chicken with pineapple sauce