Pineapple Chicken Recipe

Introduction

Pineapple Chicken is a deliciously sweet and savory dish that balances tender chicken with vibrant pineapple flavors. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or when you want to impress with minimal effort. This recipe offers a delightful combination of tangy, savory, and slightly spicy notes.

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 garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
2. Step 2: Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and garlic powder evenly.
3. Step 3: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken for about 4 minutes in total, until golden but not fully cooked.
4. Step 4: In a bowl, whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice from the can, rice vinegar, ground ginger, and cornstarch until smooth and well combined.
5. Step 5: Transfer the browned chicken to the prepared baking dish. Pour the pineapple chunks with juice over the chicken, then drizzle the glaze on top. Stir gently to coat everything evenly.
6. Step 6: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25–30 minutes, until the chicken reaches 165°F and the sauce has thickened.
7. Step 7: Remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 5–10 minutes to caramelize the glaze.
8. Step 8: Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped green onions or additional pineapple chunks if desired.

Tips & Variations

• For a deeper ginger flavor, use fresh grated ginger instead of ground.
• Try adding red pepper flakes for a subtle spicy kick.
• Serve with steamed rice or noodles to soak up the flavorful sauce.
• Use chicken thighs for a juicier, more tender result compared to chicken breasts.

Storage

Store leftover pineapple chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through to preserve the sauce texture and chicken tenderness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?

Yes, fresh pineapple works well; just add a little extra pineapple juice or a splash of water to ensure enough liquid for the glaze.

How do I know when the chicken is cooked?

The chicken is safely cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). Use a meat thermometer for the best accuracy.

Pineapple Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 122 reviews

Pineapple Chicken is a delightful dish featuring tender chicken pieces baked in a sweet and tangy pineapple glaze. This recipe combines the caramelized flavors of brown sugar and soy sauce with the tropical sweetness of pineapple chunks, balanced by a touch of rice vinegar and ginger. Perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner or special occasion, it offers a vibrant and juicy meal with a beautiful caramelized finish.

• Author: Elena
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Asian-inspired

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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

Pineapple Glaze and Sauce

• 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 Garnish

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

Instructions

1. Rest: Allow all your ingredients to come to room temperature and prepare your workspace for cooking.
2. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
3. Season the Chicken: Season the chicken chunks generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder ensuring even coating for flavor enhancement.
4. Brown the Chicken in a Skillet: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and brown them for about 4 minutes total, turning occasionally until golden but not fully cooked through.
5. Whisk the Pineapple Glaze: In a mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice from the can, rice vinegar, ground ginger, and cornstarch. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps.
6. Assemble in Baking Dish: Transfer the browned chicken pieces to the prepared baking dish. Pour pineapple chunks along with their juice over the chicken, then drizzle the pineapple glaze evenly on top. Stir gently to coat everything well.
7. Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the sauce thickens to a glaze consistency.
8. Caramelize Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 5 to 10 minutes to allow the glaze to caramelize and develop a beautiful golden color.
9. Rest and Garnish: Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after baking to allow juices to redistribute. Garnish with chopped green onions and additional pineapple chunks if desired before serving.

Notes

• For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes when whisking the pineapple glaze.
• Use boneless thighs for juicier results or breasts for leaner meat.
• Ensure not to overcook chicken during browning; it will cook fully in the oven.
• Covering the dish during baking helps keep the chicken moist and infuses it with the glaze flavors.
• Caramelizing uncovered adds texture and intensifies the sweetness.
• Can be served over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Keywords: Pineapple Chicken, baked chicken, pineapple glaze, sweet and tangy chicken, easy dinner recipe, caramelized chicken, Asian chicken recipe