Description
A deliciously sweet and tangy 5-Star Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken recipe featuring marinated boneless chicken grilled, baked, or pan-seared to perfection, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds for a flavorful and easy-to-make dinner.
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. Add chicken and toss to coat. Seal and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, ideally overnight for best flavor.
- Choose Your Cooking Method:
Option A: Grill – Preheat grill to medium-high and lightly oil the grates. Grill chicken 5–6 minutes per side or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Brush with extra marinade while grilling, then discard any remaining marinade.
Option B: Bake – Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange marinated chicken in a baking dish. Bake for 20–25 minutes, basting once or twice with remaining marinade until chicken is golden and cooked through.
Option C: Pan-Sear – Heat 1 tbsp oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 5–7 minutes per side until caramelized and fully cooked. Add a little leftover marinade during the last 2 minutes for a quick glaze. - Garnish & Serve: Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
- Spicy Version: Add 1–2 tsp sriracha or hot sauce to the marinade.
- Crockpot Method: Cook on low for 4–5 hours, then broil briefly to caramelize.
- Vegetarian Alternative: Use tofu or cauliflower steaks with the same marinade.
- Extra Glaze: Boil leftover marinade (not raw) for 5 minutes to thicken into a glaze.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Marinate, Grill/Bake/Pan-Sear
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 6 oz chicken)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: brown sugar pineapple chicken, sweet chicken recipe, marinated chicken, grilled chicken, baked chicken, pan-seared chicken, easy dinner recipes
