Rum-Glazed Pineapple Chicken Thighs
Juicy chicken thighs glazed with a sweet and tangy rum-pineapple sauce, broiled to caramelized perfection. This Caribbean-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs bone-in chicken thighs, dark rum, pineapple juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 390 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces, skin on bone-in chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup dark rum
- 1/3 cup pineapple juice
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp chopped, for garnish fresh cilantro
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven’s broiler to high and line a baking sheet with foil.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup dark rum, 1/3 cup pineapple juice, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tsp garlic powder until sugar dissolves.
- Step 3: Pat dry 4 bone-in chicken thighs with skin on, then season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 4: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken thighs skin-side down for 4 minutes until golden brown and crispy; flip and cook 2 more minutes.
- Step 5: Transfer chicken thighs to the prepared baking sheet skin side up. Brush generously with half of the rum-pineapple glaze.
- Step 6: Place under the broiler for 6-8 minutes until the glaze caramelizes and chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, brushing again with remaining glaze halfway through.
- Step 7: Remove from oven, garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, and serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rum-Glazed Pineapple Chicken Thighs take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Rum-Glazed Pineapple Chicken Thighs?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Rum-Glazed Pineapple Chicken Thighs?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Rum-Glazed Pineapple Chicken Thighs for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Rum-Glazed Pineapple Chicken Thighs?
Caribbean chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
