Sticky Pineapple Chicken
Kelly Senyei
10
-
118 Comments
Skip the takeout and whip up a fast, fresh and easy recipe for Sticky Pineapple Chicken in 30 minutes or less.
There’s just something about a meal served inside a pineapple that transports me to somewhere beyond my kitchen table. Hawaii, Bora Bora, Fiji, you name the tropical local, and this Sticky Pineapple Chicken will take your taste buds there.
It’s everything you want a takeout-fakeout dish to be—tender chicken tossed in a sweet, tangy, sticky sauce. So saucy that you’ll be tempted to ditch the fork for a spoon so you can scoop up every. last. drop.
My husband played a critical role in the development of this recipe. It began with chicken breasts, a sweeter sauce and a lack of crunch. But with a few tweaks, he took this Sticky Pineapple Chicken from a so-so dish to a real dinner winner.
Chicken thighs are much more moist and tender than chicken breasts (although you can check out the recipe notes for how to swap them in!). And when it comes to added flavor, a handful of roasted, salted cashews works wonders to balance out the tangy sweetness of the fresh pineapple, while also lending a bit of crunch to every bite.
The real show-stopping element is a hollowed out pineapple that serves as the perfect semi-edible bowl for a big scoop of rice and an even bigger scoop of sticky chicken. Of course the pineapple is totally optional, but if you’re taking this dish from a casual weeknight dinner to a lively weekend dinner party, pineapple boats are a must!
Craving more? Subscribe to Just a Taste to get new recipes, meal plans and a newsletter delivered straight to your inbox! And stay in touch on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
Ready for more takeout-inspired meals? Don’t miss additional quick and easy homemade takeout recipes.
Easy Chicken Lo Mein: Get the Recipe
30-Minute Mongolian Beef: Get the Recipe
Chicken Egg Rolls with Ginger-Soy Dip: Get the Recipe
Sticky Pineapple Chicken
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/3 cup low sodium chicken stock
- 1/3 cup hoisin sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon minced fresh garlic
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 cup diced pineapple
- 1/2 cup roasted, salted cashews (optional)
- Rice, for serving
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, whisk together the pineapple juice, soy sauce, chicken stock, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, garlic and cornstarch. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook until the mixture has reduced to about 1 cup and is the consistency of thick syrup. Set the sauce aside.
Add the olive oil to a large nonstick skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the chicken to the pan and season it with salt and pepper. Cook the chicken, stirring, until it is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Drain off any liquids then add the sauce to the pan and stir until combined. Add the pineapple and cashews and cook, stirring, for an additional 1 minute.
Serve the chicken atop a bed of rice.
Kelly’s Note:
For a bit more flair to your presentation, serve the chicken and rice inside a hollowed out pineapple.
If you can't find chicken thighs, you can use 4 medium chicken breasts, however the meat won't be as tender.
Recipe by Kelly Senyei of Just a Taste. Please do not reprint this recipe without my permission. If you'd like to feature this recipe on your site, please rewrite the method of preparation and link to this post as the original source.
FOLLOW JUST A TASTE ON INSTAGRAM and show us what you’re cooking in your kitchen! Use the hashtag #justatasterecipes.
You Might Also Like...
Chocolate-Peanut Butter Pretzel Tart
Sweet and salty join forces in this recipe for the ultimate Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Tart. One of my all-time favorite snacks in college was pretzels (the crunch…
Overnight Eggnog French Toast
Make the most of winter's most polarizing beverage with a family favorite recipe for Overnight Eggnog French Toast. Eggnog: Love it or hate it? If you handed it to me in…
Puff Pastry Christmas Tree
Add a show-stopping breakfast (or dessert!) to your holiday table with this easy and festive recipe for a Puff Pastry Christmas Tree. Food has taken on a festive holida…
Pork Potstickers with Citrus-Soy Dipping Sauce
Toss the takeout menus and whip up a quick and easy recipe for the best Pork Potstickers with Citrus-Soy Dip. How to Make Potstickers Potstickers get my vote for the m…
Leftover Turkey Pot Pie with Cheddar Biscuit Crust
Transform leftover turkey (or rotisserie chicken!) into a top-rated recipe for Leftover Turkey Pot Pie with Cheddar Biscuit Crust. My family lives by one very simple motto …
No-Bake Orange Cranberry Cheesecake Parfaits
Free up your oven during the holiday baking rush with a crowd-friendly recipe for No-Bake Orange Cranberry Cheesecake Parfaits. When it comes to planning your Thanksgiving …
Comments
Post a reply