Irresistibly Easy Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken

Ingredients

For the Chicken

500–600 g boneless chicken thighs or breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
1 tbsp oil (vegetable or olive oil)
Salt & black pepper (to taste)

For the Sauce

½ cup (120 ml) pineapple juice
½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
¼ cup (60 ml) soy sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp ginger, grated (optional but recommended)
1 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp vinegar (apple cider or white)

Add-ins

1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)
1 small bell pepper, chopped (optional)
1 tsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (slurry, for thickening)

Instructions

1. Cook the Chicken

Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
Season chicken with salt and pepper.
Cook 5–7 minutes until golden and cooked through.
Remove and set aside.

2. Make the Sauce

In the same pan, add garlic and ginger. Sauté for 30 seconds.
Pour in pineapple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, and vinegar.
Stir and bring to a gentle simmer.

3. Combine

Add pineapple chunks and bell peppers (if using).
Return chicken to the pan and coat well.
Simmer for 5 minutes.

4. Thicken the Sauce

Add cornstarch slurry.
Stir until sauce thickens and becomes glossy (1–2 minutes).

5. Serve

Serve hot over rice, noodles, or even mashed potatoes.
Garnish with sesame seeds or green onions if desired.

Nutrition (Approx. per serving)

Calories: ~350–420 kcal
Protein: 25–30 g
Carbs: 40–45 g
Fat: 10–14 g
Sugar: ~25 g

Q&A / Tips

Can I use canned pineapple?

Yes—just drain it and reserve the juice for the sauce.

Chicken thighs or breasts?

Thighs = juicier, more flavorful
Breasts = leaner, slightly firmer

How do I make it less sweet?

Reduce brown sugar to ¼ cup
Add extra soy sauce or a squeeze of lemon

Can I make it spicy?

Add:

1–2 tsp chili flakes
or 1 tbsp hot sauce

Can I bake instead?

Yes:

Bake chicken at 200°C (400°F) for 20 minutes
Then toss in sauce and simmer briefly on stovetop

Meal prep friendly?

Very. Stores well for 3–4 days in the fridge and reheats easily.

Serving Ideas

With steamed white or jasmine rice
Over fried rice
In wraps or lettuce cups
With stir-fried vegetables

Author
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Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.