Description
Sticky Pineapple Chicken is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish featuring tender chicken breast pieces cooked to perfection and coated in a sweet and tangy pineapple sauce. Enhanced with fresh pineapple slices and optional garnishes like cilantro and cashews, this recipe blends savory, sweet, and spicy flavors for a delicious meal that comes together in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 1/2 lbs. Chicken Breast (cut into bite-size pieces)
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Oil (for cooking)
Pineapple Sauce
- 1 cup Pineapple Juice
- 1/4 cup Soy Sauce
- 1/3 cup Brown Sugar
- 1/4 cup Sweet Chili Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Fresh Ginger (or 1/4 teaspoon Dried Ginger)
- 1 1/2 teaspoon Cornstarch
Add-ons
- 1 1/2 cups Fresh Pineapple (sliced)
- Fresh Cilantro (optional for garnish)
- Cashews (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Start by cutting the chicken into bite-size pieces. Pat the pieces dry with a paper towel. Sprinkle them evenly with salt and pepper to season. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add oil. Cook the chicken pieces in the skillet for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
- Make the Pineapple Sauce: While the chicken cooks, combine pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, sweet chili sauce, cornstarch, and ginger in a small pot. Place over medium heat and stir continuously until the mixture begins to thicken, about 5 minutes, creating a sticky, flavorful sauce.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Once the chicken is fully cooked, add the thickened pineapple sauce to the skillet with the chicken. Toss well to coat each piece evenly. Then fold in the fresh pineapple slices to add freshness and texture to the dish.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro and cashews over the top before serving to add color, aroma, and a delightful crunch. Serve hot, ideally over rice or noodles to complement the sticky pineapple chicken.
Notes
- Use fresh pineapple for best flavor and texture.
- Adjust the amount of salt and pepper according to taste.
- For a spicier kick, increase the sweet chili sauce or add a dash of chili flakes.
- Cashews and cilantro are optional but add a nice crunch and freshness.
- Ensure chicken pieces are cooked fully to avoid any pinkness inside.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Entree
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Keywords: sticky pineapple chicken, pineapple chicken recipe, sweet chili chicken, quick chicken dinner, Asian chicken dish
