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If you’re craving a dish that balances sweet, savory, and a hint of spice, this Pineapple Chicken Recipe is an absolute must-try. It brings tender, juicy chicken breasts together with a luscious sauce made from pineapple juice, soy sauce, and a touch of brown sugar, creating a flavor-packed meal that’s as vibrant as it is comforting. Every bite bursts with tropical brightness and cozy warmth, making this recipe perfect for both weeknight dinners and casual get-togethers.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Crafting this Pineapple Chicken Recipe is easier than it seems, and the ingredients are straightforward yet essential for unlocking its delicious flavors. Each item plays a key role in building the perfect balance of taste, texture, and charm on your plate.
- Chicken breasts: The star of the dish, tender and perfect for soaking up the flavorful sauce.
- Olive oil: Adds a subtle fruitiness and helps achieve that gorgeous golden sear on the chicken.
- Garlic, minced: Provides a fragrant punch that elevates every bite.
- Pineapple juice: The secret behind the sweet and tangy sauce that makes this recipe shine.
- Soy sauce: Brings savory umami depth and a rich, salty undertone.
- Brown sugar: Balances acidity with its natural sweetness for a harmonious finish.
- Rice vinegar: Adds brightness and a slight tartness, cutting through the sweetness.
- Ground ginger: Introduces warmth and a subtle zing, perfect for complementing pineapple.
- Red pepper flakes: Adds just the right amount of heat to keep things interesting.
- Pineapple chunks: Bursting with juicy sweetness and great texture contrast.
- Green onions, chopped: A fresh, vibrant garnish that adds a crisp crunch.
- Salt to taste: Enhances all the flavors beautifully.
- Pepper to taste: Adds a gentle kick to round out the seasoning.
How to Make Pineapple Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Sear the Chicken
Begin by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Meanwhile, season your chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Once the skillet is hot, add the chicken breasts and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes per side until they develop a golden-brown crust and are cooked through. This step locks in the juices and gives the chicken a beautiful color and texture.
Step 2: Build the Flavorful Sauce
Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside, leaving the flavorful pan drippings behind. Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about a minute until its aroma fills the kitchen. Then, pour in the pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ground ginger, and red pepper flakes, stirring to dissolve the sugar and combine all the flavors harmoniously. Let the sauce simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, allowing it to reduce slightly for a nice, saucy consistency.
Step 3: Add Pineapple and Simmer
Stir in the sweet pineapple chunks, folding them gently into the sauce to prevent breaking them apart. Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning some of the sauce over the top to coat them lovingly. Cover the pan with a lid and let the chicken simmer in the sauce for about five minutes, which allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the chicken to soak up every bit of sauce.
Step 4: Finish and Garnish
Once the chicken is heated through and the sauce has thickened slightly, remove the skillet from the heat. Transfer the chicken to a serving plate and drizzle the pineapple sauce generously over the top. Finally, sprinkle chopped green onions over the dish to add a fresh, colorful touch that brightens every forkful.
How to Serve Pineapple Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
To add extra layers of flavor and presentation flair, fresh chopped green onions are a simple but effective garnish. You could also sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds for a touch of nuttiness or even a few thinly sliced red chili rings if you want to boost the heat and color vibrancy.
Side Dishes
This Pineapple Chicken Recipe pairs beautifully with fluffy steamed jasmine rice, which soaks up the luscious sauce perfectly. For added freshness, a side of stir-fried veggies like snap peas, bell peppers, or broccoli complements the tropical sweetness with vibrant crunch and color.
Creative Ways to Present
Transform this dish into a party-ready favorite by serving it in hollowed-out pineapple halves for a tropical vibe everyone will love. Alternatively, serve the chicken sliced atop a bed of coconut rice for a creamy, subtly sweet base that elevates the whole experience.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let any leftover pineapple chicken cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Stored in the refrigerator, it stays deliciously fresh for 3 to 4 days, making for an easy lunch or dinner that feels just as special the second time around.
Freezing
This Pineapple Chicken Recipe freezes well, which is perfect if you want to stock up for busy nights. Place cooled portions in freezer-safe containers or bags, carefully removing excess air. It can be frozen for up to 2 months without losing much flavor or texture.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in a skillet over low-medium heat to preserve the chicken’s tenderness and ensure the sauce doesn’t burn. Adding a splash of water or broth can help rejuvenate the sauce’s consistency. Avoid using the microwave for best texture, but if necessary, cover and heat in short bursts.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are wonderfully juicy and flavorful, and they work perfectly in this Pineapple Chicken Recipe. Just adjust cooking time slightly as thighs may take a bit longer to cook through.
Is this recipe spicy?
The recipe has a mild kick thanks to the red pepper flakes, but the sweetness of the pineapple and brown sugar balances it out beautifully. Feel free to add more red pepper flakes if you want to turn up the heat.
Can I substitute fresh pineapple for canned?
Yes, fresh pineapple is actually a fantastic option and brings a brighter, fresher taste. Just chop it into bite-sized chunks, and you’re good to go. If using canned, make sure they are packed in juice, not syrup, to keep the flavors balanced.
What can I use if I don’t have rice vinegar?
If rice vinegar isn’t available, you can substitute it with a mild apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar. Use a little less than the recipe calls for to avoid overpowering the sweet components.
Is this dish gluten-free?
This depends on the soy sauce you use—regular soy sauce contains gluten, but you can easily swap it for a gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos to make this Pineapple Chicken Recipe safe for gluten-sensitive eaters.
Final Thoughts
Once you try this Pineapple Chicken Recipe, it’s bound to become a cherished favorite in your recipe box. It’s a fantastic blend of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors wrapped around tender chicken that feels both comforting and exciting. So gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and dive into something deliciously tropical tonight—you’ll be so glad you did!
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Print
Pineapple Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 10m
- Cook Time: 0h 25m
- Total Time: 0h 35m
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
This Pineapple Chicken recipe offers a delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors, featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a tangy pineapple sauce infused with ginger, soy, and a hint of spice. Perfectly caramelized and garnished with fresh green onions, it’s a quick skillet dish that’s sure to impress.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup pineapple chunks
Garnish
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat to prepare for cooking the chicken.
- Season the chicken: While the oil heats, season the chicken breasts evenly with salt and pepper on both sides to enhance flavor.
- Cook the chicken: Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the hot skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove chicken: Take the cooked chicken out of the skillet and set aside on a plate to keep warm.
- Sauté garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until it becomes fragrant, infusing the pan.
- Make the sauce: Add pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ground ginger, and red pepper flakes to the skillet and stir thoroughly to dissolve the sugar.
- Simmer sauce: Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes, allowing it to reduce and thicken slightly.
- Add pineapple chunks: Stir in the pineapple chunks gently to combine with the sauce without breaking them apart.
- Return chicken to skillet: Place the chicken back in the skillet, spooning sauce over the pieces to coat them well.
- Simmer chicken in sauce: Cover the skillet with a lid and let the chicken simmer in the sauce for about 5 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Finish and serve: Remove from heat, transfer the chicken to a serving plate, pour the sauce and pineapple chunks over the top, and sprinkle chopped green onions for garnish.
- Enjoy: Serve immediately with your chosen side dish and enjoy this flavor-packed pineapple chicken.
Notes
- You can use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a juicier result.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your spice preference.
- This dish pairs well 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.
- For a thicker sauce, simmer an extra few minutes or add a cornstarch slurry.
