Description
This Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken recipe features juicy, pan-seared chicken breasts glazed with a sweet and tangy pineapple and brown sugar sauce. Perfectly balanced with savory soy sauce and a hint of ginger, this dish is a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner option that pairs beautifully with rice or vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger (optional)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
Garnish
- Fresh cilantro or parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Add chicken to the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side until browned and fully cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce base: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add pineapple chunks, brown sugar, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and ginger if using. Stir well and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Simmer the sauce: Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 5-7 minutes until the pineapple softens and the sauce slightly thickens.
- Thicken the sauce (optional): If a thicker sauce is desired, mix cornstarch with a tablespoon of water to create a slurry. Stir this into the simmering sauce and cook for an additional 2 minutes until the sauce thickens further.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and cook together for 2-3 more minutes so the chicken absorbs the flavors.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat, garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley. Serve immediately with rice or vegetables of choice.
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
- If fresh pineapple is not available, canned pineapple chunks (drained) work well.
- Adding ginger is optional but adds a wonderful warmth to the dish.
- Cornstarch thickening step can be omitted for a lighter sauce consistency.
- Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.
