Print

Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken Recipe

4.7 from 53 reviews

Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken is a deliciously sweet and savory dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a rich sauce made with brown sugar, fresh pineapple chunks, soy sauce, and aromatic spices. This recipe is easy to prepare and delivers a perfect balance of flavors that makes for an impressive yet simple meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

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
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Other

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • Chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prep the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper to taste, ensuring even coating for flavor enhancement.
  2. 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.
  3. Sear the Chicken: Add the seasoned chicken breasts to the hot skillet. Sear each side for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and caramelized. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, add the brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, and ground ginger. Stir continuously to blend all the ingredients into a smooth sauce.
  5. Add Pineapple: Incorporate the pineapple chunks into the sauce, stirring gently to distribute the fruit evenly without breaking it down completely.
  6. Return Chicken: Place the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet, making sure each piece is well coated with the pineapple sauce.
  7. Simmer: Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid, and allow the chicken to simmer for 20-25 minutes. This allows the meat to cook through and absorb the sauce flavors thoroughly.
  8. Check Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C), ensuring safe consumption.
  9. Garnish: Once cooked, sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro over the chicken to add a fresh, herbal note to the dish.
  10. Serve: Transfer the chicken breasts to a serving platter and drizzle with extra sauce from the skillet to enhance flavor and presentation.

Notes

  • Use fresh pineapple for the best flavor, but canned pineapple chunks work well as a convenient substitute.
  • Adjust the amount of brown sugar based on your preferred sweetness level.
  • For a thicker sauce, simmer uncovered for the last 5 minutes.
  • Serve over steamed rice or alongside sautéed vegetables for a complete meal.
  • Make sure not to overcrowd the skillet when searing to achieve a nice golden crust on the chicken.

Keywords: brown sugar chicken, pineapple chicken, sweet and savory chicken, stovetop chicken, easy chicken recipe