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Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken in a white bowl with caramelized glaze and pineapple chunks, served at 45 degree angle.

Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken

Sweet and savory Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken with a glossy caramelized glaze and juicy pineapple chunks, perfect for weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired, Hawaiian-Inspired
Calories: 385
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Glazed Chicken
  • 2 lbs boneless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch for coating
For the Brown Sugar Glaze
  • ½ cup brown sugar packed
  • ⅓ cup pineapple juice
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoon water (slurry)
For the Tropical Finish
  • 1 ½ cups fresh pineapple cut into chunks
  • 2 green onions sliced
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
  • red pepper flakes to taste

Equipment

  • 1 Large skillet/wok For proper searing and glazing
  • 1 Sharp knife For cutting chicken and pineapple
  • 1 Small bowl For cornstarch slurry
  • 1 Whisk To blend glaze smoothly
  • 1 Wooden spoon Gentle stirring without scratching
  • 1 Meat thermometer Optional, for perfect doneness
  • 1 Microplane grater For fresh ginger

Method
 

  1. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces, season with salt and pepper, and coat lightly with cornstarch.
  2. Heat oil in a skillet, cook chicken 3–4 minutes per side until golden, then remove.
  3. In the same skillet, whisk brown sugar, pineapple juice, soy sauce, and vinegar.
  4. Stir in garlic and ginger, simmer until fragrant and slightly caramelized.
  5. Add cornstarch slurry, cook until glaze turns glossy and coats a spoon.
  6. Return chicken and add pineapple chunks, simmer until coated and cooked through.
  7. Rest 2 minutes, garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and red pepper flakes.

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.