Description
Juicy brown sugar pineapple chicken brings tropical sweetness to weeknight dinners with minimal effort. Caramelized glazed chicken promises a delightful flavor explosion you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 pineapple
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
Sauce Ingredients:
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp ginger
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice
Seasoning and Garnish:
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 lime (for juice and garnish)
Instructions
- Peel and slice the pineapple into rings or chunks, reserving 1/4 cup of juice for the sauce.
- Combine soy sauce, olive oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, pineapple juice, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl to create a vibrant marinade.
- Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels and place them in a large ziplock bag or shallow dish.
- Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours for maximum flavor absorption.
- Preheat oven to 375°F or prepare grill to medium-high heat.
- Remove chicken from marinade, reserving the liquid for basting.
- Arrange pineapple pieces around the chicken in a baking dish or on a grill tray.
- Cook chicken for 20-25 minutes, basting every 7-8 minutes with reserved marinade, until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- During the last 5 minutes of cooking, sprinkle additional brown sugar over chicken and pineapple for caramelization.
- Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes.
- Squeeze fresh lime juice over the chicken and garnish with chopped cilantro before serving.
- Plate the caramelized chicken alongside the roasted pineapple pieces for a tropical-inspired meal.
Notes
- Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes to enhance flavor depth and tenderness.
- Reserve some marinade for basting to keep meat juicy and prevent drying out during cooking.
- Adjust cooking time based on chicken breast thickness to avoid overcooking or undercooking.
- For low-carb variation, replace brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia to reduce sugar content.
- Experiment with different protein options like tofu or salmon for dietary preferences and variety.
- Pat chicken completely dry before marinating to ensure better marinade absorption and optimal caramelization.
- Use a meat thermometer to guarantee precise doneness and food safety.
- Allow chicken to rest after cooking to redistribute internal juices and maintain maximum moisture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes to 2 hours
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg