Description
Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken is a flavorful, easy weeknight main course featuring juicy chicken breasts or thighs marinated in a sweet-savory sauce made from brown sugar, pineapple, soy sauce, and aromatic spices. Perfectly balanced with tangy and spicy notes, this dish delivers big tropical flavors and comes together in just 40 minutes, making it ideal for busy families or a quick summer dinner party.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Marinade
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- ½ tsp chili flakes (optional, for spice)
For the Pineapple
- 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned in juice)
For Garnish
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, lime juice, olive oil, and (optionally) chili flakes. This mixture should be well blended and aromatic.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts or thighs in a large ziplock bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor penetration.
- Choose Your Cooking Method:
- Grilling: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grill chicken for 6-8 minutes per side, basting occasionally with leftover marinade. Add the pineapple chunks or slices to the grill for the last few minutes to caramelize and develop a smoky flavor.
- Baking: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the marinated chicken in a baking dish. Pour marinade and pineapple chunks over the top. Bake for about 30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and juicy.
- Slow Cooking: Place marinated chicken and pineapple into a slow cooker. Pour remaining marinade over the top. Cook on low for 4-5 hours, until the chicken is tender and flavors meld together.
- Serve: Transfer the cooked chicken and pineapple to a serving platter. Spoon some sauce over the top and garnish generously with fresh chopped cilantro. Serve with steamed rice or your favorite veggies.
Notes
- Marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours, for best flavor infusion.
- Grilling the pineapple alongside the chicken adds extra smoky sweetness.
- Balance sweetness by adjusting lime juice or soy sauce to taste.
- For extra heat, increase chili flakes or add sriracha to the marinade.
- This recipe works well with both chicken breasts and thighs—choose your favorite cut.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Category: Main-course
- Method: One Pot & One Pan
- Cuisine: Fusion, Tropical, American-Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast/thigh with sauce and pineapple
- Calories: 323
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 882mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
