Description

A delicious and tangy Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken recipe featuring tender chicken pieces baked in a sweet and savory pineapple glaze. This dish combines the rich flavors of brown sugar, soy sauce, and pineapple chunks, with a hint of ginger and garlic, resulting in a beautifully caramelized and flavorful meal perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

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)

Glaze and Sauce

1 can pineapple chunks (20 oz can, with juice, do not drain)
0.5 cup brown sugar (light or dark, depending on flavor preference)
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

Optional Garnish

Red pepper flakes (optional, for a touch of heat)
Chopped green onions

Instructions

Rest: Begin by preparing your ingredients and letting the chicken rest at room temperature for a few minutes to ensure even cooking.
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
Season the Chicken: Season the chicken chunks evenly with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to build the base flavor.
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.
Whisk the Pineapple Glaze: In a mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice from the can (do not drain the pineapple chunks), rice vinegar, ground ginger, and cornstarch. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
Assemble in Baking Dish: Transfer the browned chicken to the prepared baking dish. Pour the pineapple chunks with their juice over the chicken and then drizzle the prepared glaze. Gently stir to coat the chicken evenly with the glaze and pineapple.
Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the sauce starts to thicken.
Caramelize Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking uncovered for an additional 5–10 minutes to allow the glaze to caramelize and the flavors to intensify.
Rest and Garnish: Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped green onions and, if desired, sprinkle some red pepper flakes for a hint of heat before serving.

Notes

Use low sodium soy sauce to better control saltiness in the dish.
Chicken thighs tend to remain juicier, but breasts work well if you prefer leaner meat.
Optional red pepper flakes add a nice spicy kick for those who enjoy heat.
Make sure to brown the chicken but not cook through to keep it tender after baking.
Allowing the dish to rest before serving helps the sauce thicken further and enhances flavor.
This dish pairs well with steamed rice or quinoa for a complete meal.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: brown sugar pineapple chicken, baked chicken recipe, sweet and savory chicken, pineapple chicken glaze, easy dinner recipes