Honey Garlic Pineapple Chicken (Printable)

Tender chicken pieces in sweet-savory honey garlic sauce with juicy pineapple, perfect for weeknight meals.

# 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
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 - 1.5 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

# 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.
03 - Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and cook 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. Simmer for 3–5 minutes until sauce thickens and chicken is glazed.
06 - Remove from heat. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sauce clings to every bite of chicken, creating that perfect balance of sweet and savory thats incredibly addictive
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes but tastes like something youd order from your favorite takeout spot
  • The pineapple adds natural sweetness and moisture, keeping the chicken tender even after reheating
02 -
  • Dont crowd the pan when cooking the chicken or it will steam instead of sear, work in batches if necessary
  • The sauce will look thin at first but thickens rapidly in the last 2 minutes, so dont be tempted to add more cornstarch
  • Pineapple chunks hold heat like crazy, let the dish cool for at least 3 minutes before serving to avoid burning your tongue
03 -
  • Grate your ginger and garlic on a microplane for the smoothest texture that melts into the sauce
  • Let the chicken come to room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking for more even browning
  • If your sauce is too thick, add water one tablespoon at a time until it reaches the consistency you like

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