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Spicy Pineapple Brown Sugar Chicken

Spicy Pineapple Brown Sugar Chicken
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Spicy Pineapple Brown Sugar Chicken is a vibrant and flavorful dish combining tender chicken with caramelized brown sugar, fresh pineapple, and a spicy kick. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a perfect balance of sweet, heat, and savory, ideal for quick dinners or special gatherings. This one-pan recipe is easy to customize and uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients for minimal cleanup and maximum taste.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 1 lb skinless, boneless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

Sauce

  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup fresh pineapple chunks
  • 1–2 tbsp sriracha or chili sauce (adjust to taste)
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free option)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced

Cooking

  • 2 tbsp olive or vegetable oil

Garnish

  • 2 green onions, chopped or 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces and dice the fresh pineapple into chunks. Mince garlic and ginger finely to ensure they blend seamlessly into the sauce.
  2. Brown the Chicken: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then add the chicken pieces. Cook until golden brown on all sides and just cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
  3. Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, combine minced garlic, ginger, brown sugar, soy sauce, and sriracha. Stir constantly over medium heat to dissolve the sugar and develop a thick, sticky sauce.
  4. Combine Chicken and Pineapple: Return the chicken to the pan and add pineapple chunks. Toss everything together so the pineapple warms through and absorbs the sauce, coating every piece of chicken beautifully.
  5. Final Touches: Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to let the flavors meld together fully. Garnish with chopped green onions or fresh cilantro before serving to add a fresh, colorful finish.

Notes

  • Proper Browning: Pat the chicken dry before cooking to get a nice golden crust instead of steaming it.
  • Fresh Pineapple: Using fresh pineapple really elevates the flavor compared to canned.
  • Balancing Heat: Add sriracha gradually to control spice level and adjust to your preference.
  • Thicken Sauce: If sauce is too thin, let it simmer a bit longer or add a cornstarch slurry for a glossy finish.
  • Rest Before Serving: Allow the dish to sit for a couple of minutes off heat to fully develop flavors.

Nutrition

Keywords: Spicy Pineapple Brown Sugar Chicken, sweet and spicy chicken, pineapple chicken recipe, quick chicken dinner, one-pan chicken recipe, gluten-free chicken

Find it online: https://mealsbysarah.com/spicy-pineapple-brown-sugar-chicken/