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.
Victoria says
Hi Imma, I made your pineapple chicken for dinner tonight. It was delicious. Love the pineapple with the chicken. Such a great flavor. Thank you for all of your recipes. They are great!!!
imma africanbites says
You’re welcome, Victoria! Glad you like it. Pineapple definitely goes well with the chicken meat.
Miche says
wooooo hooo this is an awesome recipe ,I made it twice in 1 week.
I added chopped ginger and some Ketchup,my family love it.
Thanks Imma for sharing this low fat delicious recipe.
imma africanbites says
Thanks for sharing those tips, Miche.
Aaron Kozloski says
Has anyone thought to try this with whole cornish game hens, maybe stuffed with pineapple rice? Would love ot hear if it worked.
diana says
Hi there my name is diana from toronto and I love you recipes absolutely gong to try this one, but where did you get your lovely dinner plates the white one with rim thanks so much for your explanations on your posts!
imma africanbites says
Hi, Diana. I usually get my plates from thrift stores and Goodwill. But Amazon has pretty choices, too.
C. Cameron says
I just made this tonight for my family. Due to what I had on hand, I used, a 14oz tin of crushed pineapple, and Sriracha about 2 tbsp instead of the Scotch Bonnet Peppers which I have never heard of and didn’t have. Also used about 1/2 tsp of ground thyme.
Everyone loved it! It had a little bit of a bite, but not much. Very tasty!
Thanks for posting!
imma africanbites says
Good call. Thank you for trying it out!
Kelly says
I prepared the Pineapple Chicken, and I have to say, this is the best Pineapple Chicken recipe I’ve ever made. I will definitely make this recipe, again
Thanks for sharing! Splendid
This recipe deserves a 10 Star.
imma africanbites says
Thank you so much, Kelly! I’m happy it turned out great for you.
Tse tse says
Hello there. How much sriracha should I use to replaced the scotch bonnet pepper 1/2 tsp? Thank you
ImmaculateBites says
Hello hello, 1/2 -1 teaspoon would work. Start with half and taste as you go.
Bisi says
Hi Imma. I love all the great reviews this chicken recipe got. I will try it out as part of Christmas day lunch (in sunny Lagos Nigeria) and will let you know how it went. Fingers crossed, no bland chicken this year!
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome! Glad to hear this! Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas.
Prosperity says
I know whats for dinner! Yummy!! I’ve been cooking your awesome recipes since Thanksgiving! Thank you very much! My husband is Nigerian and I am Caribbean. You have menus for our palette and my picky 19 month old son! Maybe you should give few kid friendly meals to help out a mom! 😉
ImmaculateBites says
Glad to have you on board . Most of the recipes here can be easily adapted for kids- watch out for the peppers . Have you tried the beans recipes? Also the sweet potato ones. I have a couple . And they are kid friendly.And the beef casserole too! And please do let me know which ones you try out .Happy holidays!!!
Pip31453 says
Delicious! My guys finished off every bite and requested I make it again. I enjoyed the smell and flavors of the spices with pineapple. So satisfying! Thank you, Ms Imma. Must have more of your recipes.
ImmaculateBites says
Aww Thanks! Glad to hear this ! Makes me really happy.
Sheri Skidmore says
I made the Pineapple Chicken and Coconut Rice on Sunday and my picky husband loved it! It came out just as pictured and I was so pleased. It was delicious! I am fixing it this weekend for a friend’s 50th birthday dinner. I know my friends will love it too. Thank you for sharing. I plan on making more recipes from your website.
ImmaculateBites says
YES! So happy to hear this sheri! Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with me . Have fun at your friend’s birthday Party!!!!
Julie Cooper says
I didn’t know what creole salt was so looked it up. It seems to be composed of the same spices listed in the recipe. Confused.
ImmaculateBites says
Sorry for the confusion Julie! Yes it is, but it also has salt in it. You can completely ignore the creole salt and use salt instead. OR You can use my homemade creole seasoning here https://www.africanbites.com/creole-seasoning/ to spice up the chicken with good results . Just add salt and season according to taste .
Lacie says
I love this dinner! It’s super yummy and I’ve made it multiple times. I also make a side dish of sweet mashed potatoes
ImmaculateBites says
Thank you, Lacie! I’m so glad you this chicken, thanks for letting me know
Joy says
I was looking on line for a chicken thigh recipe that had ingredients I have on hand. Got everything I need for this. Gonna try it tonight. Sounds fabulous! Thanks.
ImmaculateBites says
Great! Do let me know how it works out for you. Thanks
Dave says
I’m a bit confused, is the paprika in the spice rub, or after, or both. Regards Aussie Dave.
ImmaculateBites says
Both! Recipe updated! Thanks!
Ramon says
1) Made it last night and it was, delicious (but ugly…really need to clean the pan from all the browned spices). The paprika instruction is still unclear. Perhaps state ‘…additional smoked paprika to taste’? Can’t wait to try your other recipes.
Immaculate Bites says
Thank you for sharing this, Ramon!