Thai Sweet & Sour Pineapple Chicken
Tender chicken, caramelized pineapple, and vibrant vegetables tossed in a glossy Thai three-flavor glaze that perfectly balances sweet, tangy, and gently spicy notes.
Description
Royal Pineapple Chicken in Three-Flavor Glaze
Tender chicken, caramelized tropical fruit, and a glossy sweet-sour-spicy sauce inspired by the vibrant flavors of Thailand.
Serves 4
Fine Dining Plating
- Place jasmine rice in a black ramekin.
- Arrange chicken and pineapple at the center of a white square plate.
- Lean bok choy against the chicken for height.
- Spoon extra glaze around the plate.
- Garnish with microgreens, Thai basil, and sliced red chili.
Cultural Spotlight
Fun Fact: Pineapple became a popular ingredient in Thai cuisine through centuries of trade between Southeast Asia, India, and China. Thailand eventually developed its own distinctive sweet-sour cooking style, balancing tropical fruit, fish sauce, lime, and chilies to create the bold flavor combinations that define many classic Thai dishes today.
Beverage Pairings
Wine
- Riesling
- Gewürztraminer
- Pinot Gris
Non-Alcoholic
- Thai iced tea
- Coconut-pineapple cooler
- Lemongrass lime spritz
“Thai cuisine is built on balance, where sweetness, acidity, heat, and aroma come together in every bite.” 🇹🇭🍍🍗✨
Ingredients
Chicken, Vegetable & More
Recommended items may earn ND a commission from qualifying purchases.
Steps
-
Prepare the Chicken
Season the chicken with sea salt, white pepper, and garlic powder. Lightly coat with cornstarch. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet and sear the chicken until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
-
Build the Three-Flavor Glaze
Combine sweet chili sauce, tamarind paste, fish sauce, pineapple juice, lime juice, palm sugar, garlic, and Thai chili in a saucepan. Simmer for 5 minutes until thickened, glossy, and fragrant.
-
Cook the Vegetables
Add pineapple, peppers, onions, mushrooms, and bok choy to the skillet. Cook for several minutes until lightly caramelized while maintaining their vibrant color and texture.
-
Finish & Plate
Return the chicken to the skillet and toss with the three-flavor glaze until evenly coated. Serve alongside jasmine rice and garnish with Thai basil, microgreens, and sliced red chilies.
Nutrition
Chef's Note
Authentic Thai cooking is built on balance. The pineapple provides natural sweetness while tamarind and lime contribute bright acidity. Fish sauce delivers depth and umami, creating the signature sweet-sour-spicy harmony found in many classic Thai dishes.
Ready to make this dish?
Get the recipe, shop ingredients, book a cooking class and more.
