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Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken

Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken: Sweet & Savory Family Delight

This Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken blends sweet brown sugar with tangy pineapple for a family-friendly dish that’s easy to customize.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Marinating Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

For the Marinade
  • 1/2 cup Brown Sugar Substitute with coconut sugar if desired.
  • 1/4 cup Pineapple Juice Fresh juice is preferred.
  • 1/4 cup Soy Sauce Low-sodium options can reduce saltiness.
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil Can be substituted with avocado oil.
  • 2 tablespoons Rice Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar Either type can be used.
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder Fresh garlic can replace it; 1 clove = 1/8 tsp.
  • 1 teaspoon Onion Powder Omit if unavailable.
  • 1 teaspoon Ground Ginger Substitute with fresh ginger; 1 tsp fresh = 1/4 tsp ground.
  • 1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes Adjust based on desired spice level.
For the Chicken
  • 2 pounds Chicken Thighs or Breasts Thighs recommended for juiciness.
  • 1 tablespoon Oil for Searing/Grilling Any neutral oil like canola will work.
For Garnish (Optional)
  • 2 tablespoons Green Onions Slice and sprinkle before serving.
  • 1 tablespoon Sesame Seeds Toast lightly for added flavor.

Equipment

  • Grill
  • Oven
  • skillet
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Resealable Bag

Method
 

Step‑by‑Step Instructions
  1. Prepare Marinade: In a bowl or resealable bag, whisk together brown sugar, pineapple juice, soy sauce, olive oil, vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, ground ginger, and red pepper flakes. Ensure everything is well combined.
  2. Marinate Chicken: Add chicken thighs or breasts to the marinade, ensuring each piece is well coated. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 12 hours.
  3. Preheat Grill or Oven: For grilling, preheat grill to medium-high heat. For baking, set oven to 400°F (200°C).
  4. Cook Chicken: Grill marinated chicken for 5-6 minutes per side or bake for 20-25 minutes, basting once with more marinade.
  5. Rest & Serve: Let cooked chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with green onions and toasted sesame seeds.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 28gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 350mgSugar: 10gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg

Notes

For optimal flavor, freeze cooked chicken in smaller portions to make reheating easier. Dispose of any marinade used with raw chicken.

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