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
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.
Daryl Carson says
First of all, am I the only guy that cooks?! I don’t see another males respond…
Anyways this is an amazing recipe although I substituted orange and apple juice when carmelizing the pineapple.
The other thing I did was use skinless chicken breast and put small slices into the top for the sauce to penetrate but be careful not to over cook.
400° for 35 minutes then let sit for about 10 minutes before serving with an ice cold IPA!
ImmaculateBites says
Hahaha!! You are not the only one Daryl, there are quite a few here. Thanks for taking the time to provide feed back. Am sure other readers would benefit from it.
Gail says
I made this last night only used boneless chicken breasts since I didn’t have any thighs. It was delicious!!! The chicken was flavorful and juicy. The spice rub is wonderful! I will be using it in other dishes too.
Thanks for a yummy chicken dish!!!
ImmaculateBites says
My Pleasure! Glad to hear it worked out well for you.
LORENA FORTUNA says
This is in the oven as I type…I added the honey at the same time I browned the pineapple – unless I missed it, the recipe calls for 1 tbsp honey but doesn’t say when to add it
ImmaculateBites says
That’s fine. I add it when I add the pineapple juice- really doesn’t make that much of a difference . Thanks.
Beulah says
Can you use fresh pineapple in this dish?
ImmaculateBites says
You sure can.
TO says
Imma your recipes never let me down. Made this pineapple chicken last night and it was da bomb. Even my picky eater toddler ate 2 thighs! Your my Julia Child right now. Made so much of your recipes. Keep up the good work. I’ll be making them as they come ❤.
ImmaculateBites says
Aww that’s so sweet. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts. So happy to hear your picky eater enjoyed it.
thalia says
yum. this chicken looks so saucy and delicious. can definitely imagine how good your kitchen must have smelt whilst this was in the oven!
Keith @ How's it Lookin? says
I gotta try this. I love new chicken meals, thanks a lot
Patience says
Where can I find the recipe for the pineapple and Black Bean Salsa? It looks great!
ImmaculateBites says
I will post it tomorrow.
Jasmine says
Looks yummy. A must try for me, Imma. Just have to get a can of pineapple with the juice. Thank you.
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Wow this baked pineapple chicken sounds divine! I can’t wait to try it!
Kaitie says
this looks heavenly! Actually i think i will add this to the menu for next week! Amazing
ImmaculateBites says
AWESOME! Do let me know how it works out for you.
carmen cruz says
I cooked this recipe, and boy was it good! My 11 year old and her friend just loved it. My daughter wants me to make it again. The pineapple gives the chicken a sweet taste to it.
ImmaculateBites says
AWESOME!!! Thanks for taking the time to share this with me.
Chyvonne says
I been making it for about 5 years now my family, sisters, brothers kids all love it it’s a special family dinner now thanks.
Georgina Ingham | Culinary Travels says
Just look at the glaze on that chicken. I want to dive right in, you’re making me feel so hungry.
Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C says
I want this! I love chicken thighs, and pineapple is my favorite fruit. And served with coconut rice…yum! Beautiful photos and a great recipe. Pinning!
Swayam says
Oh my!! What a platter.. I want everything on that. N the chicken looks amazing
Ilona @ Ilona's Passion says
I love the addition of pineapple. It must add a little sweetness to the chicken. Great dinner! Pinned it:)