Description

Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken is a delightful and easy-to-make dish that combines tender chicken with a sticky, caramelized brown sugar glaze and the bright tropical flavor of fresh pineapple. Perfect for any weeknight dinner, this recipe offers a perfect balance of sweet and savory, with minimal cleanup and versatile serving options.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

1.5 pounds chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

Sauce

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar

Other

1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
1 cup fresh or canned pineapple chunks
Optional: 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

Prepare Your Ingredients: Begin by cutting the chicken into bite-sized pieces and chopping fresh pineapple into chunks if using fresh. Mince the garlic finely to ensure it releases maximum flavor during cooking.
Sear the Chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer and cook until golden brown on all sides. This seals in juices and starts developing that beautiful caramelization.
Create the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, minced garlic, and vinegar. Pour this mixture over the chicken in the skillet. Stir gently to coat every piece evenly.
Add Pineapple: Stir in the pineapple chunks and let everything simmer together. The pineapple releases its juices, blending with the brown sugar to form a sticky, sweet glaze.
Finish Cooking: Lower the heat and cook until the sauce thickens and the chicken is cooked through, usually about 5 to 7 minutes. Avoid overcooking to keep the chicken juicy and tender.

Notes

Choose the right chicken cut: thighs stay juicier and more flavorful but breasts also work well.
Don’t rush the sear: let chicken brown completely to enhance caramelization and flavor depth.
Fresh pineapple provides better flavor and texture than canned.
Adjust sweetness gradually by starting with less brown sugar and tasting as you go.
Cook sauce down to thicken it so it clings nicely to the chicken.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Skillet Seared
Cuisine: American Fusion

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 350 kcal
Sugar: 18 g
Sodium: 650 mg
Fat: 12 g
Saturated Fat: 2 g
Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 30 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 30 g
Cholesterol: 85 mg

Keywords: brown sugar pineapple chicken, savory chicken recipe, sweet and tangy chicken, weeknight dinner, one-pan chicken, gluten free chicken