Caramelized Pineapple Glazed Chicken Skillet
Sticky skillet chicken with caramelized pineapple in a glossy sweet-savory glaze. Quick, bold, and perfect for weeknight dinners.
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Tongs
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper optional
- 2 green onions sliced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken until deeply golden on both sides and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Add pineapple to the same skillet and cook until caramelized, about 3–4 minutes.
- Stir in garlic and ginger and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Whisk soy sauce, brown sugar, and rice vinegar, then pour into the skillet.
- Mix cornstarch with water and stir it into the sauce. Simmer until thick and glossy.
- Return chicken to the pan and toss until fully coated in the sticky glaze.
- Finish with green onions and optional crushed red pepper before serving.
Notes & Wine Advice
Notes:
For extra caramelization, avoid overcrowding the pan when searing the chicken. Chicken thighs stay juicier than breasts, but either works well. Wine Tip:
Serve with an off-dry Riesling or a chilled Gewürztraminer to complement the sweetness while balancing the savory glaze.
For extra caramelization, avoid overcrowding the pan when searing the chicken. Chicken thighs stay juicier than breasts, but either works well. Wine Tip:
Serve with an off-dry Riesling or a chilled Gewürztraminer to complement the sweetness while balancing the savory glaze.