5-Star Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken Recipe
This 5-Star Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken recipe features tender boneless chicken marinated in a flavorful blend of brown sugar, pineapple juice, soy sauce, and spices. Perfectly versatile, it can be grilled, baked, or pan-seared to achieve a delicious caramelized glaze. Garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, this dish offers a sweet, savory, and slightly tangy tropical flavor that’s easy to prepare and sure to impress.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-25 minutes depending on cooking method
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes (including minimum marinating time)
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Marinating, Grilling, Baking, Pan-Searing
- Cuisine: American Fusion
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
For the Marinade:
- ½ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- ½ cup pineapple juice (fresh or canned)
- ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
For the Chicken:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 tbsp oil for searing or grilling
- Sliced green onions and sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a medium bowl or large resealable bag, whisk together all marinade ingredients until well combined. Add the chicken and toss to coat evenly. Seal and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, ideally overnight to allow the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat.
- Choose Your Cooking Method:
Option A: Grill – Preheat grill to medium-high and lightly oil the grates. Grill the chicken for 5 to 6 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Brush with extra marinade during grilling and discard any leftover marinade.
Option B: Bake – Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the marinated chicken in a baking dish. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, basting once or twice with remaining marinade until the chicken is golden and cooked through.
Option C: Pan-Sear – Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 5 to 7 minutes per side until caramelized and fully cooked. Add a little leftover marinade during the last 2 minutes to create a quick glaze. - Garnish & Serve: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after cooking to retain juices. Slice and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired before serving.
Notes
- For best flavor, marinate the chicken overnight.
- If using wooden skewers on the grill, soak them in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level or omit for mild flavor.
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for juicier meat; breasts work well for a leaner option.
- Discard any marinade that touched raw chicken to avoid cross-contamination.
- Leftover cooked chicken stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 4-5 oz chicken)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: brown sugar chicken, pineapple chicken, grilled chicken, baked chicken, pan-seared chicken, tropical chicken recipe, sweet and savory chicken
