Description
Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken is a delightful and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts glazed in a rich, sweet, and tangy sauce made from brown sugar, fresh pineapple, soy sauce, and spices. This easy-to-make recipe combines the tropical sweetness of pineapple with savory notes, perfect for a weeknight dinner or casual gathering.
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, drained)
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
Garnish
- Chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper to enhance their natural flavor before cooking.
- Heat the Oil: Warm the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, ready to sear the chicken.
- Sear the Chicken: Add the chicken breasts to the hot skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, combine the brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, and ground ginger. Stir the mixture well to blend all the flavors together.
- Add Pineapple: Stir in the pineapple chunks, allowing them to meld with the sauce and release sweetness.
- Return Chicken: Nestle the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet, coating them thoroughly with the sauce mixture.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the chicken simmer gently for 20-25 minutes, allowing it to cook through and absorb the sauce flavors.
- Check Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C), confirming it is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Garnish: Sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro over the cooked chicken for a fresh, vibrant finish that complements the sweetness of the dish.
- Serve: Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and drizzle with the extra sauce from the skillet to make the dish irresistibly moist and flavorful.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- You can substitute chicken thighs for more tender, juicy meat.
- Fresh pineapple chunks add the best flavor, but canned pineapple works well too—just drain the juice before using.
- The sauce can be thickened by simmering uncovered for a few extra minutes if desired.
- Serve with steamed rice or sautéed vegetables to complete the meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: brown sugar pineapple chicken, sweet and savory chicken, pineapple chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, Asian chicken recipe
