Description
This sweet and savory Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken is the perfect quick and easy dinner. Juicy, tender chicken is coated in a caramelized brown sugar glaze with tangy pineapple chunks, creating a deliciously sticky sauce. Serve it over rice, quinoa, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal. Ready in just 30 minutes, this one-pan recipe is perfect for busy weeknights!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
For the Sauce:
- 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, drained)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)
For Serving:
- Steamed rice or quinoa
- Chopped green onions for garnish
- Toasted sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Season and Sear the Chicken: Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat and sear chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same pan, sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add pineapple chunks, brown sugar, soy sauce, honey, Worcestershire sauce, and red pepper flakes. Stir well and bring to a simmer.
- Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water to make a slurry. Stir into the sauce and let it cook for 2-3 minutes until it thickens.
- Coat the Chicken: Return the seared chicken to the pan and spoon the sauce over it. Simmer for another 3-5 minutes until the chicken absorbs the flavors.
- Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with green onions and sesame seeds, and serve over rice or quinoa. Enjoy!
Notes
- For extra caramelization, broil the chicken for 2 minutes at the end.
- For a spicy kick, add sriracha or extra red pepper flakes.
- For a lighter version, serve with cauliflower rice or lettuce wraps.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired