Description
Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken is a deliciously sweet and savory dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a rich sauce made from brown sugar, fresh pineapple, soy sauce, and aromatic spices. This easy-to-make recipe blends the tropical sweetness of pineapple with the deep flavors of garlic, ginger, and soy, creating a harmonious balance that is perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly on both sides with salt and pepper to enhance the natural flavor of the meat.
- Heat the Oil: Warm 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat to prepare for searing the chicken.
- Sear the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the hot skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust. Remove them from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, combine brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, and ground ginger. Stir continuously to blend the ingredients into a smooth sauce.
- Add Pineapple: Stir in the pineapple chunks, allowing their sweetness and acidity to infuse the sauce.
- Return Chicken: Place the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet and coat them thoroughly with the sauce to absorb all the flavors.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid, and let the chicken simmer in the sauce for 20-25 minutes until fully cooked and tender.
- Check Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) for safe consumption.
- Garnish: Sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro over the chicken for added freshness and a pop of color.
- Serve: Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and drizzle extra sauce from the skillet over the top. Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
- You can substitute canned pineapple if fresh is not available; just drain excess juice.
- Adjust brown sugar quantity if you prefer a less sweet or more intensely sweet flavor.
- To make this dish gluten-free, use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative.
- Serve with steamed rice or quinoa for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and Simmering
- Cuisine: American with Asian influences
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce (approx. 200g)
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: brown sugar pineapple chicken, sweet and savory chicken, pineapple chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, tropical chicken dish
