Honey Garlic Pineapple Chicken (Printable)

Tender chicken pieces glazed in sweet-savory honey garlic sauce with juicy pineapple chunks, perfect for quick weeknight dinners.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken Preparation

01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1/2 tsp salt
03 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
04 - 2 tbsp cornstarch

→ Honey Garlic Sauce

05 - 1/3 cup honey
06 - 1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
07 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
09 - 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
10 - 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

→ Pineapple and Vegetables

11 - 1 1/2 cups fresh pineapple, cut into chunks
12 - 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
13 - 1 small onion, diced
14 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil
15 - 2 green onions, sliced
16 - 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Toss chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and cornstarch in a medium bowl until evenly coated.
02 - Whisk together honey, soy sauce, garlic, rice vinegar, ginger, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Set aside.
03 - Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Arrange chicken in a single layer and cook for 5–7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
04 - Add remaining oil to the pan. Sauté onion and bell pepper for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add pineapple chunks and cook for another 2 minutes.
05 - Return chicken to the pan. Pour sauce over the mixture and stir to coat evenly. Simmer for 3–5 minutes until sauce thickens and chicken is well glazed.
06 - Remove from heat. Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sauce creates this incredible sticky coating that makes even basic weeknight chicken feel special
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes but tastes like something youd order from your favorite takeout spot
02 -
  • Resist overcrowding the pan when searing chicken or it will steam instead of get that gorgeous golden crust
  • The sauce will look thin at first but thickens beautifully as it simmers
03 -
  • Let the pan get properly hot before adding the chicken for the best sear
  • Use fresh pineapple if you can find it ripe, the flavor difference is remarkable

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