This recipe includes sweet pineapple and a tangy sauce that enhances seared, moist chicken. I used a fresh pineapple that was very ripe. If you can’t find a fresh one or don’t want to master cutting one up, canned pineapple will work just fine. This is a great, family approved dinner that is served over rice.

Dinner does not need to be boring or ho-hum. Creativity is the key to this easy, family dinner!

Hawaiian Chicken with Pineapple and Brown Sugar

Ingredients:

3 pounds chicken tenders, cut into 1/2″ pieces

Salt and ground pepper

3 TBSP canola or vegetable oil

1/4 cup butter

1/3 cup ketchup

1/4 brown sugar

2 tsp cornstarch

1/4 cup vinegar

3 TBSP soy sauce

1/3 cup pineapple juice

1 1/3 cup fresh pineapple, cut into chunks or 9 ounce can crushed pineapple such as Dole or Signature

Sesame seeds and chopped green onions (enough to garnish each serving)

Rice, steamed and ready to serve

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
  2. Cut chicken into 1/2″ pieces. Season with salt and ground pepper. Set aside.
  3. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in ketchup and brown sugar. Mix thoroughly until the brown sugar is dissolved. Then, lower heat.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch and vinegar until thoroughly mixed and smooth. Add it to the saucepan whisking consistently. Then, add in 1/2 tsp salt, soy sauce, pineapple juice and chunks of pineapple. Cook until thickened and bubbly, about 3 – 4 minutes.
  5. In Dutch oven or large sauté pan, heat oil on medium high. Add the chicken and sear until lightly browned about 3-4 minutes.
  6. Pour the pineapple mixture over the chicken and mix until it is incorporated thoroughly.
  7. Put the Dutch oven or large sauté pan in the oven or you can add the chicken and pineapple to a buttered casserole dish if you prefer. Cook for 35 to 40 minutes until the sauce is bubbly.
  8. Remove from oven and serve over white rice (or any rice of your choice). Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.

To complete the meal, I included pot stickers, sautéed sugar peas with garlic and the remaining slices of pineapple.

Enjoy! XOXO Jill