Enjoy pineapple chicken simmered in a finger-licking good, sweetish, and tangy sauce that sports a garlicky twang. Juicy, fall-off-the-bone tender chicken is loaded with flavor for a family favorite any time of year.
Yes, I do love chicken thighs. No part of the chicken is as juicy, flavorful, and mouthwatering, at least in my opinion. Not only that, the legs and thighs are usually the most economical cut.
Why Pineapple Works With Chicken
Pineapple, with its tropical vibes, delivers a sweet, tangy balance to chicken’s savory umaminess. The natural sugars caramelize for extra sweetness that really shines in slow cooking and stir-fries. Plus, the acidity adds a bright freshness that rivals that of lemon. There’s no way to lose with this amazing fruit.
How to Make Pineapple Chicken
- Prep and season the chicken with a homemade rub. Sear it and set it aside. Then sauté the pineapple until it’s caramelized.
- Sauté the garlic and onion, add the hot sauce, pineapple juice, and the rest of the seasonings.
- Place the chicken back in the skillet, add the thyme, and bake for 35-40 minutes or until done and the sauce thickens. Enjoy.
Tips and Notes
- Instead of the homemade rub, try spicing up the chicken with Creole seasoning.
- Stovetop version. Cut up boneless, skinless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces, brown them, and set aside. Make the sauce, add the chicken and thyme, then simmer on the stovetop until the chicken is tender and the sauce thickens.
- To add heat, sriracha, homemade pepper sauce, or a diced scotch bonnet pepper will work. Adjust the amount to taste or leave it out completely.
- Fresh pineapple is great if you have it. But canned is available at a good price year-round. Oh, and I used fresh pineapple in the salsa instead of grilled.
Make-Ahead and Leftover Makeover
If making this ahead for easy meal prep, I remove the skin because it will lose its crispiness. Let it come to room temperature, then refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze it for 3-4 months. Heat it back up on the stovetop until bubbling and heated through, and enjoy.
Chop up the chicken, heat a little oil in a skillet, and toast leftover rice. Add the chicken, a little toasted sesame oil, and soy sauce, and heat through for a uniquely original fried rice. A cup or two of chicken stock will turn it into chicken soup for the soul with a tropical twist.
My classic sides are coconut rice and pineapple black bean salad. But it also goes great with easy roasted vegetables, Hawaiian sweet rolls, and noodles.
More Budget-Saving Chicken Recipes to Enjoy
Watch How to Make It
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This recipe was first published in April 2016 and has been updated with more useful tips, delicious-looking photos, and a video.