Pineapple Chicken Thighs in roast pineapple and slightly garlicky spicy sauce. Juicy, tender and loaded with flavor. A great family meal that would please adults and kids alike.
Yes, I do love me some thighs. No not my thighs… Silly. I would REALLY love them if they were just a little bit thinner. Oh yes, if wishes were horses. It’s all about chicken thighs for me. They are meaty, flavorful and pretty inexpensive. And I just love having them around. Don’t tell me you haven’t notice. This Pineapple Chicken is just packed full of flavors – that’s the way we roll around here!
How do you make pineapple chicken?
I took this my favorite chicken thighs here (you’ve got to start with it first if you haven’t already) and infused it with garlicky, sweet, smoky and spicy sauce. Nothing bland happening here.
To make this baked pineapple chicken, you start off by pan searing the chicken thighs. Next, you work on the pineapple sauce in the same pan, season it well and let it simmer for a few minutes until it thickens. Then place back the pan seared chicken back to the pan to finish cooking in the oven.
See how easy it is? Everything happens in one pan which means lesser clean up. It makes a perfect dinner date night meal, too.
How do you make pineapple sauce for chicken?
Making the pineapple sauce is as easy as browning the pineapple first tossing in all the spices and seasonings then the pineapple juice. Let it simmer and stir in between to achieve your desired thickness. If you want more sauce in your chicken, double it up before you pop the chicken in the oven.
As always, adjust the spiciness according to preference, especially when serving to the kids.
Caramelized, sweet, succulent pineapple is fortified with pineapple juice, garlic, honey and some heat from the sriracha or scotch bonnet to create a sweet and spicy garlic sauce. Guaranteed to please anyone!
So if you ever get tired of your chicken routine, then grab some chicken thighs or which ever cut of chicken you like- no judging here, toss it on the frying pan and make this pineapple chicken. I always start by browning the chicken on stove top before finishing in the oven. This method frequently produces chicken that stays moist and juicy with a crispy exterior.
Serve it with coconut rice and or vegetables paired with this grilled and black bean pineapple salsa. They just work well together. Enjoy!!!
Tips and Notes:
- Instead of Chicken rub – you may use creole seasoning here
- You can also use skinless chicken thighs, cut up in bite sized pieces or other different chicken cuts, especially if you are cooking stove top. Cooking times will vary.
- For the pepper sauce use , siraracha, hot sauce or scotch bonnet pepper – adjust to taste buds or leave out completely.
- You can use fresh pineapples instead of canned ones.
- You may reduce heat to simmer or low , cover the pot and cook stove top , until chicken is fully cooked through- add about 1/2 cup water . If liquid is drying out out
Watch How To Make It
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This recipe was first published on April 2016 and has been updated with additional content and photos.
Baked Pineapple Chicken
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Ingredients
Chicken Rub (Sub Creole Seasoning)
- 2 ½ - 3 pound chicken thighs , about 5-6
- Salt and Pepper
- 2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- ½ teaspoon bouillon powder , you may replace with salt
Pineapple Glazed Chicken
- 1 tablespoon or more cooking oil
- 2 cups chopped pineapple
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- ¼ cup onion
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon pepper sauce or sriracha (optional)
- 2 cups pineapple Juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 sprig of thyme
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- Trim chicken of excess fat and pat dry with a cloth or paper napkin.
- Wash chicken thighs, wipe with a paper towel. Salt and pepper the chicken.
- Combine the spices and mix well. Sprinkle both sides with generous amount of the spice blend.
- Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F. Place about 1 tablespoon or more of oil in a cast iron, or frying pan.
- Add chicken to the pan and sear for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until slightly browned. It’s going to finish up browning in the oven. Set aside. Clean the pan if there are any burns.
- In the same pan, add pineapple and brown for about 7 minutes or until pineapple is caramelized.
- Add garlic, onions, smoked paprika, and pepper sauce or sriracha (optional).
- Add about 2 cups of pineapple juice and honey bring to a boil. Let it simmer for about 2 minutes. Adjust for seasoning with about 1-2 teaspoons more of chicken rub spices.
- Place the chicken back in the cast iron with a sprig of thyme, then bake for about 35-40 minutes until the chicken is done.
- Remove from oven let it cool before serving. You may garnish with parsley.
Tips & Notes:
- Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.
Nutrition Information:
How to Make Pineapple Chicken
Trim chicken of excess fat and pat dry with a cloth or paper napkin. Wash chicken thighs, wipe with a paper towel. Combine spices and mix well. Sprinkle both sides with generous amount of the spice blend. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Place about 1 tablespoon or more of oil in a cast iron, or frying pan.
Add chicken to the pan and sear for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until slightly browned, it’s going to finish up browning in the oven. Set aside. Clean pan if there are any burns.
In the same pan, add pineapple brown for about 7 minutes or until pineapple is caramelized. Add garlic, onions, smoked paprika and sriracha sauté for about a minute or two.
Add about 2 cups of pineapple juice and honey bring and to a boil. Let it simmer for about 2 minutes. Adjust for seasoning with about 1-2 teaspoons more of chicken rub spices.
Place the chicken back in the cast iron with a sprig of thyme, then bake for about 35 -40 minutes until chicken is done.
Remove from oven let it cool before serving. You may garnish with parsley.
Cora Zimmerman says
“This is the best chicken you ever made!” my boyfriend said. It was a hit to say the least. My sauce didn’t thicken possibly because I had to omit the pineapple chunks, so I added 4 tsp of cornstarch slurry. Thank you for sharing! Will be making again 🙂
Imma says
Fantastic! Thank you for stopping by Cora :)!
Nonna mary says
Always looking for chicken recipes. Cooking now. My sauce was bit runny but know the rice will soak it up. Smells so good and has all of husbands favorite foods. Steamed rice and steamed carrots and broccoli round it out.
Thank you so much and looking for your other recipes.
ImmaculateBites says
Thank you Nonna Mary. I’m so happy you tried it. The next time, you can simmer the sauce a little longer or add a cornstarch slurry to thicken it up. (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water, then pour it while stirring into the sauce and simmer until it turns clear.)
Rustyoldcatlady says
I moved near my busy daughter a few years ago. I try to help by cooking for them a few nights a week. This is one of our very favorite dishes. I usually use canned pineapple. It isn’t as good, but it’s still great. If they come in while I’m browning the pineapple I have to open another can. If they come in while I’m browning fresh pineapple I have to fight them off to have enough and they are to full to eat the chicken! Good times, good tastes. THANKS from all of us.
Imma says
Oh great to hear that. Thank you so much!
Natrecia Sewell says
I am going to try this tomorrow i hope my guests enjoy it…
imma africanbites says
Hello. Can’t wait for you to try this. Let me know how it goes.
Theresa S. Joseph says
I tried this recipe today, my guess they enjoyed it very much…thank you much
ImmaculateBites says
This Pineapple Chicken has always been a hit! Thanks Theresa!
Kanchan Chivate says
Hi, I was gifted a huge pineapple and quite frankly, did not know, what to do with it. I had some chicken in the refrigerator. Surfing the net, I found this recipe and decided to give it a try. Sure enough, it came out really well! The family loved the gamut of spicy and sour and sweet flavours! I made some coconut rice to go along with it and made a side salad to make it a complete meal. It was really really delicious! Thanks so much for this recipe!
Immaculate Bites says
Thank you so much for making this recipe, Kanchan! I’m so happy you enjoyed it. If you still have some of that pineapple left, you can also make a dessert and try my Pineapple Upside Down Cake recipe 😉
Willy Boy says
This recipe does not list all of the ingredients that are in the instructions.
Immaculate Bites says
Hi Willy Boy! May I know which ingredients I may have missed? Also, please note that there are some that are mentioned but optional.
Dee says
Thank you for the inspiration! Delicious!
ImmaculateBites says
Thank you, Dee! Glad you loved it!
Shirley says
Hi!
I’ve discovered your blog recently!
Really love all the recipes
I was wondering if it’s been asked before but it would be super to know what sort of pans you are using for different dishes!
It would be really great for beginners like me who is trying to know what pans to buy
Thank you!
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Shirley!! Welcome to my blog :). It is really great to have you here.
I am working on a post wherein I will go through all the pans and equipment I use, and what works best for different recipes. In the meantime, just carry-on with what you have and let me know how it works out for you :).
Erin says
This is such a tasty recipe! Thank you so much for sharing. We’ll be making it again for sure!
Cindy says
Loved it. Sweet and spicy. Easy delicious. I made mine spicy with the sriracha sauce. My husband doesn’t like spicy food so put a couple pieces of the chicken aside with just the seasoning on it. Baked it separate just for him…. He’s got no clue what he’s missing! Yummy
I know cooking something spicy when my husband doesn’t like spicy food sounds a little selfish but I cooked for three others that do like spice! He had his with just plain old pineapple. and he still loved it. Doesn’t take much.
Imma Adamu says
Not selfish. You are using your ‘initiative’ to provide dynamics in the household ha ha ha! shh dont tell anyone I do the same with my hubby sometimes. Enjoy
Dayanah Nanjobe says
I discovered your page a few weeks ago when in a major rut foodwise. Every recipe I’ve tried since has been great but this one made me wanna write about it! So darn yummy! The way you describe the process makes it all possible and easy. Thank you!!! About to try a new one..
/Dayanah
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome! So happy to have you on board Dayanah.
lou says
Why is the Nutrition Information for ‘Marinated Skirt Steak’?
imma africanbites says
Thank you for bringing this up to my attention. Already updated with the correct one.
Rachel C says
Hi jus came across ur recipe looks yummm! Is thr a video link available can u plz provide the link
imma africanbites says
Hi, Rachel. Welcome to the blog. I don’t have a video yet for this recipe for now.
Rachel C says
Okay thanks for the response. God bless.
Steph says
Made this tonight and everyone loved it! I didn’t have any bonnet peppers or spicy sauce, so i minced 2 tblspn of (canned) jalapenos instead. Also, I added 1 diced, caramelized yellow bell pepper. Served over white rice. I will definitely make again!