Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken Recipe
Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken is a delightful dish combining tender, juicy chicken breasts with a sweet and tangy pineapple-infused brown sugar sauce. Perfect for a quick yet flavorful weeknight meal, this recipe delivers a harmonious balance of savory and sweet flavors, garnished with fresh cilantro for a refreshing finish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Sauce
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 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
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt and pepper to enhance their flavor before cooking.
- Heat the Oil: Place a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil, allowing it to heat until shimmering but not smoking.
- Sear the Chicken: Add the chicken breasts to the hot skillet and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, until they develop a golden brown crust. Then remove the chicken from the pan and set aside temporarily.
- Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, combine the brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, and ground ginger. Stir continuously to blend the ingredients evenly, scraping up any browned bits from the pan for extra flavor.
- Add Pineapple: Mix the fresh or canned pineapple chunks into the sauce, stirring gently to distribute the fruit without breaking it down.
- Return Chicken: Nestle the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet, coating each piece thoroughly with the sweet and tangy sauce.
- Simmer: Lower the heat to a gentle simmer, cover the skillet with a lid, and cook for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through and tender.
- Check Doneness: Using a food thermometer, ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C) for safe consumption.
- Garnish: Sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro over the chicken to add a burst of herbal freshness and color.
- Serve: Transfer the chicken breasts onto a serving platter and drizzle them with the remaining sauce from the skillet for extra flavor and moisture.
Notes
- Use fresh pineapple for a more vibrant flavor, but canned pineapple works perfectly well as a convenient alternative.
- For spicier variation, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce when cooking.
- Serve with steamed rice or sautéed vegetables to complete the meal.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: brown sugar chicken, pineapple chicken, sweet and savory chicken, stovetop chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner
