Pineapple Chicken Recipe
I have to tell you about this pineapple chicken recipe I made last weekend. It was my cousin’s birthday, and I wanted to whip up something that felt festive but wasn’t too complicated. A quick scroll through my cookbook, and I landed on this recipe.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs (or chunks of chicken breast)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 teaspoons grated garlic
- 2 teaspoons grated ginger Optional but adds a kick!
- 1 ½ cups fresh pineapple chunks or canned pineapples if fresh isn’t on hand
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar for sweetness
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes Optional for spice lovers!
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces if needed. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, lime juice, garlic, and ginger, then coat the chicken well with this mixture. Let it marinate for 15-30 minutes to soak up all the flavors—longer is even better!
- Cut fresh pineapple into small chunks or drain canned pineapple well. In a separate bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, vinegar, and chili flakes. Add a cornstarch mixture to this and set it aside for cooking.
- Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken (without the excess marinade) and cook for about 5-6 minutes, turning regularly, until golden brown. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
- In the same pan, cook the pineapple chunks for 2-3 minutes until they caramelize slightly. Pour in the prepared sauce and bring it to a simmer, stirring until it thickens. Toss the cooked chicken back into the pan and stir everything together. Let it cook for another 5 minutes to blend all the flavors. Enjoy your delicious pineapple chicken!
Notes
- For Perfect Texture: Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for juicier bites.
- Boost Flavors: Marinate the meat overnight if you have time.
- Adjust Sweetness: Add brown sugar or reduce honey depending on how tangy or sweet you like it.
- Go Crispy: Before adding the sauce, lightly coat chicken in cornstarch or flour for crispy bits.
- Add Veggies: Toss in bell peppers, snap peas, or onions to make it a complete meal.