Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken
Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that combines sweet and savory flavors. Tender chicken breasts are seared to perfection and simmered in a rich sauce made with brown sugar, soy sauce, fresh pineapple, and aromatic spices, then garnished with fresh cilantro for a burst of freshness. This ultimate recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
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
Other
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper to taste, ensuring even coverage for enhanced flavor.
- Heat the Oil: In a large skillet or frying pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking.
- Sear the Chicken: Add the chicken breasts to the hot skillet and sear for 4-5 minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown crust. Remove the chicken and set aside on a plate.
- Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, add the brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, and ground ginger. Stir constantly to combine the ingredients and form a smooth sauce, scraping up any browned bits from the pan for extra flavor.
- Add Pineapple: Incorporate the pineapple chunks into the sauce, stirring to evenly distribute the fruit and allow it to soak up the sauce’s flavors.
- Return Chicken: Place the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet, turning them to coat thoroughly with the sauce mixture.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid, and let the chicken simmer gently for 20-25 minutes until fully cooked through and tender.
- Check Doneness: Using a meat thermometer, ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C) to confirm it is safe to eat.
- Garnish: Once cooked, sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro over the chicken for a fresh, herbal aroma and vibrant color.
- Serve: Transfer the chicken breasts to a serving platter and drizzle with extra sauce from the skillet for added moisture and taste.
Notes
- Use fresh pineapple for a more vibrant flavor, but canned pineapple works well too.
- If soy sauce is too salty, use a low-sodium variety.
- Serve over steamed rice or noodles to soak up the flavorful sauce.
- Adjust the brown sugar quantity for desired sweetness level.
- For a gluten-free dish, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce (about 200g)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: brown sugar pineapple chicken, sweet and savory chicken, pineapple chicken recipe, easy chicken recipes, Asian chicken dish
Find it online: https://hannahdelgado.com/brown-sugar-pineapple-chicken/
