Honey Garlic Pineapple Chicken (Printable)
Tender chicken pieces glazed in a sweet-savory sauce with juicy pineapple chunks for a flavorful dinner.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
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
→ Sauce
05 - 1/3 cup honey
06 - 1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
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 & Vegetables
11 - 1 1/2 cups fresh pineapple chunks (or canned, drained)
12 - 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
13 - 1 small onion, diced
14 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil
15 - 2 green onions, sliced for garnish
16 - 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional for garnish)
# How To Make It:
01 - Toss chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and cornstarch in a medium bowl until evenly coated. The cornstarch helps create a light crust and helps the sauce adhere to the meat.
02 - Whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Set aside until ready to use.
03 - Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable 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 diced onion and bell pepper for 2–3 minutes until slightly softened. Add pineapple chunks and continue cooking for 2 minutes to heat through.
05 - Return chicken to the pan. Pour the prepared sauce over the mixture and stir thoroughly to coat everything. Simmer for 3–5 minutes until the sauce thickens nicely and the chicken is well glazed.
06 - Remove from heat immediately. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve hot over steamed white rice or noodles for a complete meal.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The sauce balances sweet honey and tangy pineapple in a way that feels bright but not overwhelming
- Everything cooks in one pan and comes together faster than takeout would arrive
02 -
- Crowding the pan prevents proper searing, so cook chicken in two batches if needed
- The sauce continues thickening off heat, so remove while it still looks slightly loose
03 -
- Low sodium soy sauce lets you control salt better without losing flavor depth
- Leftovers reheat beautifully, but add a splash of water to loosen the sauce