This Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken recipe delivers a delightful balance of sweet and savory, transforming simple chicken into a flavor-packed tropical escape. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s an easy yet impressive meal that will have everyone begging for seconds, proving that delicious doesn’t have to be complicated.
Key Ingredients for Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
- 2 tablespoons pineapple juice (from the canned pineapple)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for thickening, optional)
- 1 tablespoon cold water (if using cornstarch)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Optional garnishes: chopped fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds
How to Make Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken
Get ready for a culinary adventure that’s incredibly simple to prepare, bursting with vibrant tropical flavors, and satisfyingly delicious. This dish features tender chicken coated in a luscious, caramelized sauce that brings together the sweetness of pineapple and brown sugar with a hint of savory soy. With a total preparation and cooking time of approximately 30 minutes, it’s your secret weapon for a quick and impressive meal.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. This helps them to brown nicely. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Make the Sauce Base: In a medium bowl, whisk together the crushed pineapple (with its juice), brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, rice vinegar, ground ginger, and garlic powder. Ensure the brown sugar is completely dissolved.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for about 3-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. You may need to do this in batches. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce mixture into the same skillet. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Let it cook for about 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to slightly reduce.
- Thicken the Sauce (Optional): If you prefer a thicker sauce, in a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Gradually whisk this slurry into the simmering sauce. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency. This usually takes about 1-2 minutes.
- Combine and Serve: Return the seared chicken to the skillet with the thickened sauce. Toss to coat the chicken evenly. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the chicken to warm through and absorb the delicious sauce.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Serve the Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken immediately over steamed white or brown rice, quinoa, or your favorite grain. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, or toasted sesame seeds for an extra pop of flavor and color.
Why You’ll Love This Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken
This Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken is an absolute winner for so many reasons! Its star feature is the irresistible sweet and tangy glaze that coats every succulent piece of chicken, creating a flavor profile that’s reminiscent of a Hawaiian luau but so much easier to whip up at home. You’ll love how affordable it is to create such a restaurant-quality dish using pantry staples, saving you money without compromising on taste. The pop of tropical sweetness from the pineapple, balanced by the savory soy sauce and aromatic ginger, makes this a truly special meal that’s a delightful alternative to standard weeknight chicken recipes. Give your taste buds a vacation and invite your family to experience this flavor explosion – you won’t regret it!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Storing Leftovers:
Allow the Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken to cool completely before storing. Transfer the cooled chicken and sauce to an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.
Reheating Instructions:
- Stovetop: The best method for reheating is on the stovetop. Place the leftovers in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a tablespoon or two of water or chicken broth if the sauce seems too thick. Stir frequently until heated through.
- Microwave: For a quick reheat, place the desired portion in a microwave-safe dish. Cover loosely and microwave on 50% power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until hot. Be mindful that microwaving can sometimes make the chicken slightly less tender.
- Freezing and Reheating from Frozen: If reheating from frozen, it’s best to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Then, follow the stovetop or microwave reheating instructions. Avoid reheating multiple times.
Final Thoughts
This Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken is a testament to how simple ingredients can create extraordinary flavors, making it a fantastic addition to any home cook’s repertoire. So, gather your ingredients and whip up this tropical delight tonight; you’ll discover a new family favorite that’s both comforting and exciting.
Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. This helps them to brown nicely. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, Salt, freshly ground black pepper
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the crushed pineapple (with its juice), brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, rice vinegar, ground ginger, and garlic powder. Ensure the brown sugar is completely dissolved.1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple, 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons pineapple juice, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for about 3-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. You may need to do this in batches. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil, 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Pour the prepared sauce mixture into the same skillet. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Let it cook for about 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to slightly reduce.1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, in a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Gradually whisk this slurry into the simmering sauce. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency. This usually takes about 1-2 minutes.1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 tablespoon cold water
- Return the seared chicken to the skillet with the thickened sauce. Toss to coat the chicken evenly. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the chicken to warm through and absorb the delicious sauce.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Serve the Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken immediately over steamed white or brown rice, quinoa, or your favorite grain. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, or toasted sesame seeds for an extra pop of flavor and color.chopped fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds