Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken: A Sweet and Tangy Dinner That’ll Transport You Straight to the Islands Recipe

Introduction

Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken is a delightful blend of sweet and tangy flavors that will transport you straight to the islands. This easy-to-make dish features tender chicken glazed in a sticky pineapple and brown sugar sauce, perfect for a weeknight dinner or casual gathering.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into chunks
• 1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks with juice (do not drain)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
• 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp ground ginger (or 1 tbsp fresh grated)
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• Chopped green onions (optional garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Step 2: Season the chicken chunks with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the chicken pieces for about 4 minutes, turning occasionally for even coloring.
3. Step 3: In a bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice from the can, rice vinegar, ginger, and cornstarch until smooth.
4. Step 4: Place the browned chicken in the prepared baking dish. Add the pineapple chunks on top, then pour the glaze evenly over everything. Stir gently to combine.
5. Step 5: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25–30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
6. Step 6: Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 5–10 minutes to allow the glaze to caramelize.
7. Step 7: Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped green onions and sprinkle red pepper flakes if desired.

Tips & Variations

• Use chicken thighs for juicier meat, or breasts for a leaner option.
• Let the glaze cook thoroughly in the oven to achieve the perfect sticky texture.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a gentle spicy kick that balances the sweetness well.
• If you don’t have rice vinegar, substitute with apple cider vinegar.
• Double the recipe and save leftovers for a quick meal later—this dish reheats beautifully.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop, stirring occasionally to maintain the sauce’s consistency. The glaze may thicken as it cools—adding a splash of water or pineapple juice when reheating can help restore its texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?

Yes, fresh pineapple chunks can be used. Just make sure to reserve some pineapple juice or substitute with a bit of water and a touch of sugar to maintain the sauce’s sweetness and consistency.

Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely. Use a gluten-free soy sauce (often labeled tamari) and double-check that your cornstarch and other ingredients are gluten-free to keep the dish safe.

Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken: A Sweet and Tangy Dinner That’ll Transport You Straight to the Islands Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 148 reviews

Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken is a deliciously sweet and tangy dish featuring tender chicken chunks glazed with a caramelized pineapple and brown sugar sauce. Perfectly balanced with ginger and soy, this easy oven-baked recipe brings a taste of the islands to your dinner table.

• Author: Hannah
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
• Total Time: 45-50 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American with Island/Caribbean influence

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into chunks
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Glaze and Sauce

• 1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks with juice (do not drain)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
• 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp ground ginger (or 1 tbsp fresh grated)
• 1 tbsp cornstarch

Optional Garnishes

• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• Chopped green onions (optional garnish)

Instructions

1. Prep and Preheat: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prepare for baking the chicken.
2. Season and Brown: Toss the chicken chunks with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and brown the chicken pieces for about 4 minutes, turning occasionally to get an even golden color.
3. Mix the Glaze: In a bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, low-sodium soy sauce, pineapple juice from the can, rice vinegar, ground ginger, and cornstarch until smooth and well combined.
4. Combine and Bake: Place the browned chicken in the prepared baking dish, add the pineapple chunks, and pour the glaze evenly on top. Gently stir to combine the ingredients. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25–30 minutes.
5. Finish and Serve: Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 5–10 minutes to allow the glaze to caramelize and thicken. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped green onions and sprinkle with red pepper flakes if desired for a spicy kick.

Notes

• Chicken thighs stay juicier, but chicken breasts are a leaner option and work well too.
• The cornstarch and brown sugar create a sticky, irresistible glaze during baking—don’t rush this step.
• Add red pepper flakes for subtle heat that balances the sweetness.
• If you don’t have rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar is an excellent substitute.
• This recipe doubles easily and makes great leftovers for meal prep.
• If the sauce seems thin after baking, allow it to rest for a few minutes—it will thicken as it cools.

Keywords: brown sugar chicken, pineapple chicken, sweet and tangy chicken, oven baked chicken, island-inspired chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, caramelized chicken