Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken Recipe

Introduction

Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken is a sweet and tangy Hawaiian-inspired dish that brings tropical sunshine to your dinner table. Juicy chicken pieces are coated in a caramelized glaze made with brown sugar, soy sauce, and pineapple juice, then baked with tender pineapple chunks for an irresistible sticky-sweet flavor. It’s the perfect blend of savory and fruity, ideal for weeknights or family dinners.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into chunks
• 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
• 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

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Step 2: Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
3. Step 3: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken for about 4 minutes, turning occasionally.
4. Step 4: In a mixing bowl, whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice (from the can), rice vinegar, ginger, and cornstarch until smooth.
5. Step 5: Place the browned chicken and pineapple chunks in the baking dish. Pour the glaze over and stir gently to combine.
6. Step 6: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25–30 minutes.
7. Step 7: Remove the foil and bake an additional 5–10 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
8. Step 8: Let the dish rest for 5 minutes, garnish with chopped green onions, and serve over rice or noodles.

Tips & Variations

• Use chicken thighs for juicier meat or breasts for a leaner dish.
• If you don’t have rice vinegar, substitute with apple cider vinegar.
• Add red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for a spicy kick.
• The sauce thickens as it cools; don’t worry if it looks thin right out of the oven.
• Double the recipe for easy meal prep; flavors deepen when reheated.

Storage

Allow the chicken to cool completely before transferring it, along with the sauce, to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to 3 months, then thaw overnight in the fridge. To reheat, warm gently on the stove over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much. The flavor often improves after sitting for a day.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?

Absolutely! Use fresh pineapple chunks and add about ½ cup of pineapple juice or water to replace the canned juice for the glaze.

Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can cook it on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours. The sauce will still thicken nicely during cooking.

Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 139 reviews

Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken is a delightful Hawaiian-inspired recipe featuring tender chicken pieces simmered in a luscious caramelized glaze of brown sugar, soy sauce, and pineapple juice. Baked together with juicy pineapple chunks, this dish offers a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors that bring a tropical flair to any meal. Ideal for weeknights or entertaining, it’s easy to prepare, packed with flavor, and pairs wonderfully with rice or noodles.

• Author: Elias
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Hawaiian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into chunks

Glaze and Sauce

• 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 and Oil

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

Garnish

• Chopped green onions (optional garnish)

Instructions

1. Preheat and prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
2. Season the chicken: Toss the cut chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to evenly coat for enhanced flavor.
3. Brown the chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and brown them for about 4 minutes, turning occasionally to achieve a nice golden crust on all sides.
4. Make the glaze: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice from the can, rice vinegar, ground or fresh ginger, and cornstarch until completely smooth and lump-free.
5. Assemble and bake: Place the browned chicken chunks and pineapple pieces into the greased baking dish. Pour the prepared glaze on top and gently stir to coat evenly. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and chicken to cook through.
6. Caramelize: Remove the foil carefully and continue baking an additional 5 to 10 minutes uncovered. This will thicken the sauce and give it a glossy, caramelized finish.
7. Serve: Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after baking. Garnish with chopped green onions if using. Serve the flavorful chicken and pineapple mixture over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Notes

• Chicken thighs remain juicier and more flavorful, but chicken breasts provide a leaner alternative.
• The sauce may appear thin right after baking but will thicken upon cooling—be patient.
• Apple cider vinegar can be substituted for rice vinegar if needed without impacting flavor significantly.
• For added spice, sprinkle red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce to the glaze.
• This recipe is excellent for meal prepping; the flavors improve after resting overnight and it reheats well.

Keywords: brown sugar pineapple chicken, pineapple chicken, Hawaiian chicken, baked chicken recipe, sweet and savory chicken, tropical chicken dish, easy chicken dinner