Description
This Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken with Pineapple is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish combining tender chicken breasts with a tangy, sweet sauce made from pineapple juice, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Baked to perfection and finished with caramelized fresh pineapple chunks, it’s perfect served over rice or with steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice (preferably fresh)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
Topping
- 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to ensure the chicken doesn’t stick during baking.
- Season Chicken: Lightly season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and black pepper. Place the seasoned chicken breasts evenly spaced in the prepared baking dish.
- Make Sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, low-sodium soy sauce, pineapple juice, and brown sugar until the sugar is dissolved and the sauce is smooth and well combined.
- Pour Sauce and Bake: Pour the prepared sweet and sour sauce evenly over the chicken breasts. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake the chicken for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C), ensuring it is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Add Pineapple Chunks: During the last five minutes of baking, scatter the fresh pineapple chunks around the chicken in the baking dish to allow them to caramelize and add a burst of sweetness and texture to the dish.
- Serve: Once done, remove the chicken from the oven and serve hot. This baked sweet and sour chicken pairs wonderfully over steamed rice or alongside your choice of steamed vegetables for a balanced and delicious meal.
Notes
- Fresh pineapple juice is recommended for best flavor, but canned pineapple juice can be used as a substitute.
- Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) for safe consumption.
- You can add some chopped bell peppers or onions in the baking dish for variety and extra flavor.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Adjust the amount of brown sugar for desired sweetness level.
