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A close-up of Pineapple Chicken Curry in a white serving dish, featuring seared chicken thighs and pineapple chunks in a yellow sauce.

Sticky Sweet Pineapple Chicken

This delightful sticky sweet pineapple chicken features tender chicken pieces coated in a vibrant, tangy-sweet sauce with juicy pineapple chunks, perfect for a quick and flavorful weeknight meal.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Hawaiian
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken & Marinade
  • 1.5 lbs chicken breast or thigh boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce low sodium
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp ginger grated
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper freshly ground
For the Pineapple Sauce
  • 1 cup pineapple juice
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth low sodium
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar packed light
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce low sodium
  • 1 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tsp sriracha or to taste (optional)
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch dissolved in 2 tbsp cold water (slurry)
  • 1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks drained, juice reserved for sauce
For Cooking & Garnish
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil or other high-heat oil
  • 1/2 cup red bell pepper diced small
  • 1/4 cup green onions sliced, for garnish
  • 2 tbsp sesame seeds toasted, for garnish (optional)
  • Cooked rice for serving

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small Mixing Bowl
  • Large Skillet or Wok
  • Whisk
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife

Method
 

Prepare the Chicken
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cut chicken pieces with 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce, 1 tbsp cornstarch, grated ginger, minced garlic, and black pepper. Toss well to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours.
Make the Pineapple Sauce
  1. While the chicken marinates, whisk together pineapple juice, chicken broth, light brown sugar, rice vinegar, 1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce, ketchup, and sriracha (if using) in a small bowl. Set aside.
Cook the Dish
  1. Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. You may need to cook in batches. Remove cooked chicken from the pan and set aside.
  2. If needed, add another teaspoon of oil to the skillet. Add the diced red bell pepper and sauté for 2-3 minutes until slightly tender-crisp.
  3. Pour the prepared pineapple sauce mixture into the skillet with the bell peppers. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly.
  4. Once simmering, stir in the cornstarch slurry (2 tbsp cornstarch dissolved in 2 tbsp cold water). Continue to cook, stirring frequently, for 1-2 minutes until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
  5. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pineapple chunks. Toss everything gently to coat the chicken and pineapple in the sticky sauce. Cook for another 1-2 minutes to heat through.
Serve
  1. Remove from heat. Garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds, if desired. Serve immediately over steamed white or brown rice.

Notes

For an extra kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce. Chicken thighs work wonderfully for this recipe, offering a juicier texture. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. To make it a complete meal, add steamed broccoli or snap peas during the last few minutes of cooking the sauce.