Pollo en Salsa de Piña (Pineapple-Glazed Chicken)

Ingredients

• For the Chicken:
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts 🍗
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp butter 🧈
• For the Pineapple Glaze:
• 1 cup pineapple juice 🍍
• 0.5 cup crushed pineapple
• 3 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp honey 🍯
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
• 0.5 tsp ginger, grated
• 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
• 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (slurry for thickening)
• For Garnishing & Serving:
• 0.25 cup fresh pineapple chunks 🍍
• 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped 🌿
• 1 lime, sliced 🍋
• Cooked white rice or coconut rice (optional) 🍚

Instructions

1. 11️⃣ Season & Sear the Chicken
2. 2Season chicken with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika.
3. 3In a pan, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat.
4. 4Sear the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
5. 52️⃣ Make the Pineapple Glaze
6. 6In the same pan, add pineapple juice, crushed pineapple, brown sugar, honey, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
7. 7Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
8. 8Mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry, then stir into the sauce to thicken.
9. 93️⃣ Simmer & Glaze the Chicken
10. 10Return the seared chicken to the pan, coating it with the glaze.
11. 11Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, flipping halfway, until the sauce is thick and glossy.
12. 124️⃣ Serve & Enjoy!
13. 13Plate the pineapple-glazed chicken with a side of white rice or coconut rice.
14. 14Garnish with fresh pineapple chunks, cilantro, and lime wedges.