Name: Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1.5–2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cubed or cut into strips; 3/4 cup brown sugar (packed); 1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks in juice, drained (reserve juice); 1/3 cup soy sauce (reduced-sodium if preferred); 2 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated (or 1/2 tsp ground ginger); 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (slurry); 2 tbsp oil for searing; Optional: red pepper flakes or sriracha for heat, sliced green onions, sesame seeds for garnish

Description

A sweet and sticky chicken dish with caramelized sauce and tangy pineapple, perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

1.5–2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cubed or cut into strips
3/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks in juice, drained (reserve juice)
1/3 cup soy sauce (reduced-sodium if preferred)
2 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp fresh ginger, grated (or 1/2 tsp ground ginger)
1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (slurry)
2 tbsp oil for searing
Optional: red pepper flakes or sriracha for heat, sliced green onions, sesame seeds for garnish

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Instructions

Pat the chicken dry and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Sear chicken in batches until golden on the outside but not fully cooked through (about 3–4 minutes per side). Transfer chicken to a plate.
In the same skillet, add garlic and ginger; sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the reserved pineapple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, and vinegar. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
Add pineapple chunks and return the chicken to the pan. Simmer gently for 5–7 minutes until the chicken finishes cooking.
Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens to a glossy glaze. Taste and adjust: add red pepper flakes for heat or a teaspoon of vinegar if it needs more zip.
Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve over steamed rice or cauliflower rice if you’re cutting carbs.

Notes

Ensure not to overcrowd the pan while cooking the chicken for optimal browning and flavor. Pizza tastes, don’t forget the juices for an enhanced glaze.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Searing
Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 450
Sugar: 26g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 15g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 55g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 85mg