Baked Chicken with Pineapple
Pineapple Baked Chicken
Some dishes feel like pure sunshine—bright, comforting, and instantly uplifting. Pineapple Baked Chicken is one of those meals. I first made it on a busy weeknight when I wanted something sweet, savory, and satisfying without a long prep. As the chicken baked, the scent of caramelized pineapple and savory sauce filled the kitchen, turning an ordinary evening into something special.
Since then, this recipe has become a regular favorite. Tender chicken bakes in a glossy pineapple glaze that strikes the perfect balance between sweet and savory. Every bite delivers juicy meat, roasted pineapple, and a rich sauce that tastes restaurant-worthy—yet comes together with minimal effort.
It’s ideal for family dinners, meal prep, or casual entertaining. Easy enough for weeknights but impressive enough for guests, this dish always disappears fast and earns repeat requests.
🍍 Ingredients
| Chicken | Pineapple Sauce | Optional Garnish |
|---|---|---|
| 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (700–800 g) | 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, drained) | Sliced green onions |
| ½ tsp salt | ½ cup pineapple juice | Sesame seeds |
| ¼ tsp black pepper | ¼ cup soy sauce | — |
| ½ tsp garlic powder | ¼ cup brown sugar or honey | — |
| ½ tsp paprika | 2 tbsp ketchup | — |
| — | 1 tbsp apple cider or rice vinegar | — |
| — | 2 cloves garlic, minced | — |
| — | 1 tsp fresh grated ginger (optional) | — |
| — | 1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water (optional, for thickening) | — |
🍴 Instructions
Preheat the Oven
Heat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish.
Season the Chicken
Arrange the chicken breasts in the dish and season evenly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
Make the Pineapple Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar (or honey), ketchup, vinegar, garlic, and ginger if using.
Add Pineapple
Scatter the pineapple chunks over the chicken, then pour the sauce evenly across the top.
Bake
Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10–15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F / 74°C).
Thicken the Sauce (Optional)
Transfer the sauce to a small saucepan, stir in the cornstarch slurry, and simmer for 1–2 minutes until thickened. Spoon the sauce back over the chicken.
Serve
Finish with sliced green onions or sesame seeds. Serve hot with rice, noodles, or roasted vegetables.
✨ Final Result:
Juicy, tender chicken coated in a sticky, sweet-savory pineapple glaze—bright, comforting, and perfect for any night of the week.
