Pineapple Bourbon Chicken – Sweet, Sticky, and Packed with Flavor
If you love the combination of sweet, tangy, and savory in one comforting dish, this Pineapple Bourbon Chicken is going straight to the top of your dinner rotation. Tender pieces of chicken simmer in a glossy pineapple-bourbon sauce that’s rich, sticky, and full of bold flavor. Each bite blends the natural sweetness of pineapple with the depth of bourbon and the warmth of garlic and ginger.
It’s a quick stovetop recipe that tastes like takeout — but fresher, brighter, and far more satisfying. Serve it over rice, spoon it into lettuce wraps, or pair it with steamed vegetables for a weeknight meal that feels like a special occasion.
This dish is simple enough for busy nights but impressive enough for weekend entertaining. With minimal prep and everyday ingredients, you’ll have a skillet of saucy, tender chicken ready in under 30 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Pineapple Bourbon Chicken
1. Balanced sweet-savory sauce
The pineapple and brown sugar create natural sweetness, while bourbon adds depth and a subtle warmth.
2. Tender chicken every time
Lightly seared chicken simmers in the sauce until perfectly cooked and flavorful.
3. A fast, skillet-friendly meal
Everything cooks in one pan, keeping cleanup minimal and cooking stress-free.
4. Versatile serving options
Serve it over rice, noodles, cauliflower rice, or tuck it into wraps.
5. Naturally dairy-free
No cream or butter required — just simple pantry ingredients building layered flavor.
6. Better than takeout
Fresh ingredients, cleaner flavors, and you control the sweetness and heat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a few simple ingredients to create the glossy, flavorful sauce this dish is known for.
For the Chicken:
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon oil (vegetable, canola, or avocado oil)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Pineapple Bourbon Sauce:
- 1 cup pineapple juice (from canned pineapple is fine)
- 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)
- 1/3 cup bourbon
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger)
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch + 2 teaspoons water (for slurry)
For Garnish:
- Sesame seeds
- Sliced green onions
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep and Coat the Chicken
Pat the chicken pieces dry with a paper towel. Add them to a bowl, season with salt and pepper, and toss with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch until lightly coated.
The cornstarch helps the chicken brown nicely and also slightly thickens the sauce while it cooks.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken in a single layer.
Cook for 4–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned on all sides. The chicken does not need to be fully cooked at this stage — it will finish cooking in the sauce.
Transfer the browned chicken to a plate and set aside.
Step 3: Build the Pineapple Bourbon Sauce
In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add pineapple juice, pineapple chunks, bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ketchup, garlic, ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes.
Whisk gently to dissolve the sugar and combine everything into a smooth sauce.
Let the mixture heat until it begins to bubble around the edges.
Step 4: Add the Chicken Back In
Return the browned chicken to the skillet, stirring so every piece is coated in the sauce.
Simmer for 6–8 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld while the sauce reduces slightly. The bourbon cooks down, leaving behind a deep, warm, caramel-like flavor that pairs perfectly with pineapple.
Step 5: Thicken the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together 2 teaspoons cornstarch and 2 teaspoons water to form a slurry.
Stir the slurry into the bubbling sauce and let it cook 2–3 minutes. The sauce will turn glossy, sticky, and thick enough to cling beautifully to each bite of chicken.
Adjust seasoning to taste — adding soy sauce for saltiness, brown sugar for sweetness, or red pepper flakes for heat.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Remove from heat and garnish generously with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
Serve hot over white rice, jasmine rice, brown rice, or noodles.
The sauce naturally soaks into the rice, making every bite sweet, savory, and satisfying.
Tips for the Best Pineapple Bourbon Chicken
Use chicken thighs for juiciness.
They stay tender and flavorful, even with high-heat cooking.
Let the sauce reduce properly.
This creates the signature sticky-glossy finish, not a watery or thin sauce.
Use fresh ginger for brightness.
The citrusy, peppery flavor from fresh ginger enhances the pineapple beautifully.
Burn off the alcohol.
Simmering ensures the alcohol evaporates, leaving only flavor.
Adjust sweetness to your preference.
The pineapple offers natural sweetness — taste as you go and adjust accordingly.
Don’t skip browning the chicken.
It adds depth and prevents rubbery texture.
Flavor Variations
Once you master the base recipe, it becomes an easy starting point for other bold flavor combos.
Sweet & Spicy Version
Add:
- 1–2 tablespoons sriracha
- Extra red pepper flakes
- A splash of honey for balance
Tropical Chicken
Add:
- Coconut milk
- Bell peppers
- Lime juice
This version is creamy, bright, and perfect over coconut rice.
Sticky Orange Bourbon Chicken
Swap pineapple juice for orange juice and add a teaspoon of grated orange zest.
Honey Bourbon Chicken
Replace brown sugar with honey for a richer, deeper sweetness.
Vegetable-Packed Version
Add:
- Snap peas
- Bell peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
Simmer veggies with the chicken for a complete one-pan meal.
Serving Suggestions
This Pineapple Bourbon Chicken works with a variety of sides and bases. Try it with:
- Jasmine rice
- Coconut rice
- Brown rice
- Quinoa
- Cauliflower rice for a lighter option
- Stir-fried vegetables
- Roasted broccoli or green beans
- Crispy spring rolls or potstickers for a takeout-style feast
It’s also excellent in:
- Lettuce wraps
- Rice bowls
- Meal-prep containers
- Tortilla wraps for a fusion twist
The thick sauce makes it an easy pairing for almost anything.
How to Store and Reheat
Refrigerator:
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat or microwave until warm.
Freezer:
This recipe freezes extremely well.
Freeze in portions for up to 2 months.
Reheat in a skillet with a splash of water or pineapple juice to loosen the sauce.
Make-Ahead Instructions
To meal prep the dish:
- Prepare the sauce ahead of time.
It keeps well in the fridge for 4–5 days. - Chop the chicken in advance.
Store it separately in an airtight container. - Cook everything when ready.
Freshly cooked chicken will always have the best texture.
Alternatively, cook the entire dish ahead and portion into containers for ready-to-heat meals all week long.
Troubleshooting Guide
Sauce too thin:
Add an extra cornstarch slurry and simmer until thickened.
Too sweet:
Add a splash of soy sauce or rice vinegar.
Not sweet enough:
Stir in a teaspoon of honey or a little more brown sugar.
Sauce tastes too strong:
Add extra pineapple juice to soften the flavor.
Chicken overcooked:
Simmer on lower heat next time — high heat can tighten the meat too quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this without bourbon?
Yes. Replace bourbon with additional pineapple juice or chicken broth. The flavor will be sweeter and lighter but still delicious.
Does the alcohol cook out?
Almost entirely. It simmers long enough to evaporate the alcohol and leave behind flavor only.
Can I use chicken breast?
Yes, but cook for a slightly shorter time so it stays tender.
Can I use canned pineapple?
Absolutely. Both the juice and the chunks work well.
Is this dish spicy?
It’s naturally mild unless you add red pepper flakes or sriracha.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes. Use a larger pan and increase simmer time slightly.
Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)
- Calories: 380
- Protein: 30g
- Fat: 9g
- Carbs: 45g
Values vary depending on ingredients and portion sizes.
Why This Recipe Works
The beauty of this Pineapple Bourbon Chicken lies in its balance. The natural sweetness from pineapple pairs with the rich, caramel-like undertones of bourbon, creating a sauce that’s both bright and deeply flavored. Soy sauce adds umami, vinegar provides acidity, and ginger and garlic bring warmth and aroma.
The glossy finish comes from simmering and reducing the sauce properly, ensuring every piece of chicken is coated in a flavorful glaze. It’s a simple, skillet-based method that delivers restaurant-quality results right at home.
The combination of tender chicken, sweet pineapple, and complex bourbon notes makes this recipe unforgettable — and versatile enough for any night of the week.
Final Thoughts
This Pineapple Bourbon Chicken is the kind of dish you’ll want to make again and again. It’s fast, flavorful, and uses common ingredients to deliver a bold, sticky, sweet-savory meal that tastes far more special than the effort it requires.
Whether you serve it over rice, inside wraps, or as part of a weeknight dinner lineup, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Simple steps, easy cleanup, and huge flavor — everything you want in a stress-free, delicious meal.