Rum-Spiced Pineapple Glazed Chicken Thighs
Juicy chicken thighs glazed with a caramelized pineapple and dark rum sauce infused with warm spices. This caribbean-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs (about 3 lbs) bone-in chicken thighs, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 calories and feeds 6, 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.
Ingredients
- 6 (about 3 lbs) bone-in chicken thighs
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup dark rum
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup chopped for garnish fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Season 6 bone-in chicken thighs evenly with 2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken skin-side down for 6-7 minutes until golden and crispy, then flip and cook 4 minutes more. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to medium and add 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in 1 cup pineapple juice, 1/4 cup dark rum, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp ground ginger.
- Step 3: Simmer the sauce for 8-10 minutes until it reduces and thickens to a glaze consistency. Stir in 2 tbsp fresh lime juice.
- Step 4: Return chicken thighs to the skillet, spooning the pineapple rum glaze over them. Cook for 5-7 minutes more, turning once, until chicken is cooked through and sauce is sticky.
- Step 5: Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rum-Spiced Pineapple Glazed Chicken Thighs take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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-Spiced Pineapple Glazed 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 salt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Rum-Spiced Pineapple Glazed 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-Spiced Pineapple Glazed Chicken Thighs for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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-Spiced Pineapple Glazed 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.
