Honey Garlic Pineapple Chicken (Printable version)

Tender chicken pieces coated in a sweet-savory honey garlic sauce with fresh pineapple chunks, perfect for a quick dinner.

# List of ingredients:

→ 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
07 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
09 - 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
10 - 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

→ Pineapple & Vegetables

11 - 1 1/2 cups fresh pineapple 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

# Directions:

01 - In a medium bowl, toss chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and cornstarch until evenly coated.
02 - Whisk together honey, soy sauce, garlic, rice vinegar, ginger, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl.
03 - Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and cook for 5–7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
04 - Add remaining oil to the pan. Sauté onion and bell pepper for 2–3 minutes until slightly 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 everything. Simmer for 3–5 minutes until sauce thickens and chicken is well glazed.
06 - Remove from heat. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sauce comes together with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry
  • It strikes that perfect balance between sweet and savory that makes everyone go back for seconds
  • Everything cooks in one pan, meaning less cleanup and more time enjoying dinner
02 -
  • Don't overcrowd the pan when searing the chicken or it will steam instead of getting that nice golden crust
  • The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools, so don't worry if it looks a little thin while simmering
  • Pineapple chunks can be added in the last minute if you prefer them firmer with more bite
03 -
  • Cut your chicken into uniform pieces so everything cooks at the same rate
  • Prep all ingredients before you start cooking since this comes together quickly once the heat is on
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for 2 minutes before garnishing for extra nutty flavor

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