Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken (Printable Version)

Juicy chicken pieces baked in a caramelized brown sugar and pineapple glaze with a tropical twist.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into chunks
02 - Salt, to taste
03 - Black pepper, to taste
04 - 1 tsp garlic powder
05 - 2 tbsp olive oil

→ Sauce & Glaze

06 - 1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks with juice, undrained
07 - ½ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
08 - ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
09 - 2 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
10 - 1 tsp ground ginger or 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger
11 - 1 tbsp cornstarch

→ Garnish & Optional

12 - Red pepper flakes, optional
13 - Chopped green onions, optional

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
02 - Toss chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a bowl.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown chicken pieces for 4 minutes, turning occasionally.
04 - Whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, rice vinegar, ginger, and cornstarch in a bowl until smooth.
05 - Place browned chicken and pineapple chunks in the baking dish. Pour glaze over and gently stir to coat evenly.
06 - Cover dish with foil and bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
07 - Remove foil and bake an additional 5 to 10 minutes until sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
08 - Let rest 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped green onions and optional red pepper flakes.
09 - Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • One-pot meal
  • Freezer-friendly
02 -
  • Chicken thighs provide extra juiciness, but chicken breasts offer a leaner alternative.
  • The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
03 -
  • Substitute apple cider vinegar for rice vinegar if necessary.
  • For added heat, include red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
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