Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken Recipe
Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken is a sweet and savory dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a rich sauce made from brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple chunks, and aromatic spices. Garnished with fresh cilantro, this tropical-inspired recipe offers a perfect balance of flavors that’s easy to prepare and sure to impress your family and guests.
- Author: Hannah
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and Simmering
- Cuisine: American with Tropical Influence
- Diet: Halal
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)
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
Garnish
- Chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)
- Prep the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper thoroughly to enhance the flavor of the meat.
- Heat the Oil: In a large skillet or frying pan, warm the vegetable oil over medium-high heat, preparing it for searing the chicken.
- Sear the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the hot skillet and cook them for approximately 4-5 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust. Then, remove the chicken and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: Using the same skillet, combine brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, and ground ginger. Stir continuously until all ingredients are well blended and the sugar begins to dissolve.
- Add Pineapple: Stir in the pineapple chunks to infuse the sauce with a fruity sweetness that complements the savory elements.
- Return Chicken: Place the chicken back into the skillet, coating each piece thoroughly with the pineapple sauce mixture to ensure full flavor coverage.
- Simmer: Lower the heat to a gentle simmer, cover the skillet, and cook for 20-25 minutes. This slow cooking process allows the chicken to absorb the sauce while becoming tender and juicy.
- Check Doneness: Verify that the internal temperature of the chicken breasts reaches 165°F (75°C) to ensure they are safely cooked through.
- Garnish: Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro over the chicken for a fresh, vibrant flavor boost.
- Serve: Transfer the chicken to a serving plate and drizzle with any remaining sauce from the skillet, serving immediately while hot.
Notes
- Fresh pineapple is recommended for best flavor, but canned pineapple chunks work well too.
- Adjust the amount of brown sugar based on your preferred sweetness level.
- For a spicier variation, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Serve this dish with steamed rice or sautéed vegetables for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken, sweet and savory chicken, pineapple chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, tropical chicken dish