Best Sweet and Spicy Baked Pineapple Chicken Recipe

After returning from our first family trip to Israel, this easy baked pineapple chicken recipe sure hit the spot. Sweet and spicy, made with brown sugar and chili paste, this chicken was a great way to welcome us home.

It was quite an unexpected and sad ending to what began as a phenomenal trip.

For those that want to read more, I’ll be doing a seperate post on our trip, but right now I want to tell you about this easy baked pineapple chicken!

Growing up in the 70’s my mother made a broiled soy sauce chicken dish quite often.

I remember it gave the entire kitchen a distinct, not always good aroma; because she often burnt it under the broiler.

I believe this was a Weight Watchers recipe and we had it once a week.

We had liver on another night because Weight Watcher’s said so.

Luckily I liked both, but I was never fond of the cottage cheese on toast thing, which was also a recommended staple.

At least according to my mom!

It was while perusing another Alison Roman recipe that I spotted this easy baked pineapple chicken recipe.

Reminding me of my mom’s, only sounding like WAY BETTER, I decided to try this recipe with the few simple ingredients that I always have on hand.

This sweet and sour chicken made with chicken pieces, is not the Chinese version with its sticky sweet orange sauce, but is a version of sweet and sour chicken with chili added to up the ante.

No need to cut your chicken into chunks and fry with corn starch.

And this sweet and savory chicken is perfect for busy nights.

How to Make this Easy Baked Pineapple Chicken Recipe

Marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes, but for best flavor, leave up to 24 hours.

Simply season the chicken with salt and pepper and let rest while you mix up the marinade in a small bowl.

Combine brown sugar, vinegar, pineapple juice, chili paste or gochujang, fish sauce or soy sauce, lime juice, a few red pepper flakes and minced or grated garlic cloves.

Stir until sugar dissolves and then place everything in a zip lock bag and set aside.

OK. Use garlic powder if you must.

Decrease the red chili flakes if you prefer it less spicy.

When you are ready to bake this pineapple chicken recipe, place in a 425 degree preheated oven.

This is a great way to use that can of pineapple that has been sitting in your pantry.

BUT-I do think fresh  sweet pineapple is a tastier and better way to go.

That being said, I did use canned pineapple in this recipe, but I think fresh pineapple gives better results.

The canned pineapple tends to melt a bit into the sauce!

Not that there is anything wrong with more of a pineapple sauce!

Use fresh pineapple chunks or spears or canned pineapple slices or chunks and place on a rimmed baking sheet or in a rimmed baking dish, lined with parchment paper.

Roast until the chicken is caramellized and deeply browned, but don’t over cook.

Bone-in, skin-on chicken parts work great or just spatchcock a whole chicken and cook the whole bird.

Basting is recommended to keep the chicken moist and to add flavor.

Want kebabs cooked on the grill? Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but be careful not to overcook them,

The pineapple adds a ton of flavor and if you want to add bell peppers in the form of large chunks, go ahead.

Manservant requested that this be added to his favorite chicken dinners folder!

Doesn’t get much better than that.

When chicken has baked remove from oven and sprinkle with minced green onions, shallots or red onion.

Chopped cilantro is also good and a drizzle of sesame oil or sesame seeds really amps up the flavor of this easy baked pineapple chicken recipe.

No need to stir fry. Just marinate all day and bake in the evening for a simple meal the whole family will enjoy.

As the chicken cooks make some steamed white rice or brown rice. If you really want to make this extra special add some egg rolls to the plate and the kids will love it.

Want a salad? This one with Mandarin oranges would be perfect.

​This is an easy dinner idea and could quickly become a new go-to recipe. 

Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container.

Enjoy this healthy eating chicken recipe and add it to your chicken recipes folder.

My guess is everyone will want this on regular rotation!

Other Alison Roman Recipes:

Lemon Salmon with Brown Butter

Chicken with Dates and Lemon

Blackberry Cornmeal Cake

Print