Sticky Pineapple Chicken (Printable)
Golden chicken coated in sticky pineapple sauce with bell peppers and sesame seeds.
# Ingredient List:
→ Chicken
01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1/2 tsp salt
03 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
04 - 2 tbsp cornstarch
→ Sauce
05 - 1 cup pineapple juice
06 - 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
07 - 1/3 cup brown sugar
08 - 2 tbsp rice vinegar
09 - 2 tbsp ketchup
10 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
12 - 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (slurry)
→ Vegetables & Garnishes
13 - 1 cup fresh pineapple, cut into chunks
14 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
15 - 2 green onions, sliced
16 - 1 tbsp sesame seeds
→ For Cooking
17 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil
# Steps:
01 - Combine chicken pieces with salt and pepper in a bowl. Toss with 2 tablespoons cornstarch until all pieces are evenly coated.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add half the chicken and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside. Repeat with remaining oil and chicken.
03 - In the same skillet, add minced garlic and grated ginger. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
04 - Pour in pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and ketchup. Stir thoroughly to dissolve sugar and combine flavors. Bring to a gentle simmer.
05 - Stir in diced red bell pepper and pineapple chunks. Let simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until vegetables begin to soften and pineapple releases juices.
06 - Return cooked chicken to the pan. Whisk cornstarch slurry again and stir into the sauce. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring continuously, until sauce thickens and coats the chicken evenly.
07 - Remove from heat immediately. Sprinkle sliced green onions and sesame seeds over the top before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sauce clings to every bite like a hug from an old friend
- Ready in under an hour but tastes like you spent all day on it
02 -
- Crowding the pan steams the chicken instead of searing it, so patience with batches pays off
- The sauce will seem thin right up until the last minute, then it suddenly thickens beautifully
03 -
- Mix the cornstarch slurry right before adding it, or it will settle and clump up
- Leftovers reheat surprisingly well, though the sauce thickens even more