Why You’ll Love this Sweet-Tangy Pineapple Chicken Afritada
If you’re craving something that perfectly balances sweet and savory flavors, this Pineapple Chicken Afritada will become your new favorite dish. I’m obsessed with how the juicy pineapple chunks transform this traditional Filipino stew into something truly special.
The secret lies in using both the pineapple chunks and that precious reserved syrup, which infuses the tomato-based sauce with a subtle sweetness that complements the tender chicken drumsticks. The soy sauce adds that umami depth we all need, while the colorful mix of potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers makes this a complete one-pot wonder.
Trust me, your family will be scraping their plates clean, wondering what your kitchen secret is.
What Ingredients are in Sweet-Tangy Pineapple Chicken Afritada?
Pineapple Chicken Afritada is a delicious Filipino dish that combines savory chicken with the sweet tanginess of pineapple. This flavor-packed recipe transforms simple ingredients into a hearty, comforting meal that’s perfect for family dinners. The blend of tomato puree and pineapple creates that distinctive sweet-tangy sauce that makes this dish so craveable.
- 2 pounds chicken drumsticks, skin on
- 3-4 small potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 carrot, chopped
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 red onion, chopped
- 1 (14 ounce) can tomato puree
- 1 (8 ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained (reserve syrup)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 dried bay leaves
- 1/2 cup green peas
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 6 tablespoons cooking oil, divided
When shopping for these ingredients, the quality of your chicken makes a difference in the final dish. Look for fresh drumsticks with intact skin, as this adds flavor during cooking. And don’t skip the pineapple—while it might seem unusual in a savory dish, it’s what gives this afritada its distinctive character. The reserved pineapple syrup gets incorporated into the sauce, infusing the entire dish with that perfect balance of sweet and savory notes that makes this Filipino classic so memorable.
How to Make this Sweet-Tangy Pineapple Chicken Afritada
Start by heating 4 tablespoons of cooking oil in a large pan over medium heat. Toss in those peeled and cubed 3-4 small potatoes, cooking them for about a minute until they start to get a bit of color.
Next, add the chopped carrot and cook for about 2 minutes, followed by the sliced yellow bell pepper strips for just a minute more. Once all these veggies have had their brief sauté, remove them from the pan and let them rest on some paper towels to drain excess oil.
Using the same pan (no need to wash it – that’s where all the flavor is!), warm up the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Toss in the chopped red onion and 3 garlic cloves, letting them become fragrant and slightly translucent for 1-2 minutes.
Then comes the star of the show – 2 pounds of skin-on chicken drumsticks. Brown them slightly before adding the 14-ounce can of tomato puree, the reserved pineapple syrup (from your 8-ounce can of drained pineapple chunks), 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, and 3 dried bay leaves. This mixture creates that signature sweet-tangy flavor that makes this dish so irresistible. Bring everything to a gentle boil, then cover and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until your chicken is nearly tender enough to fall off the bone.
Sweet-Tangy Pineapple Chicken Afritada Substitutions and Variations
While the classic recipe creates a perfect balance of flavors, you’ve got plenty of options to customize this Filipino favorite to suit your taste preferences or pantry limitations.
No chicken drumsticks? Thighs or even breast meat work beautifully, though I’d recommend keeping the skin on for extra richness. Can’t find yellow bell peppers? Red or orange bells deliver similar sweetness with a slight variation in flavor profile.
For a healthier twist, swap the potatoes for sweet potatoes or add more veggies like zucchini or green beans. Not a pineapple fan? Try mango chunks instead for a different tropical note. Vegetarians can substitute firm tofu or tempeh for chicken, marinating it first in the same seasonings for depth.
What to Serve with Sweet-Tangy Pineapple Chicken Afritada
Now that you’ve got your flavor-packed Pineapple Chicken Afritada ready to go, let’s talk about what to pair with this Filipino comfort food to create a complete meal experience.
Rice is non-negotiable here, folks. Steamed white rice creates the perfect canvas for soaking up that divine sauce—jasmine or long-grain varieties work beautifully. Want something more adventurous? Try garlic fried rice (sinangag) for an extra flavor dimension.
For a rejuvenating contrast, serve a simple side salad with cucumber, tomato, and a squeeze of calamansi lime. Green beans sautéed with garlic make another excellent veggie option. And if you’re really embracing the Filipino table, a small dish of pickled papaya (atchara) provides that perfect tangy counterpoint to the sweet-savory afritada.
Final Thoughts
Three things make Pineapple Chicken Afritada truly special in the world of Filipino cuisine: its adaptability, its crowd-pleasing flavor profile, and its ability to improve with time. I’ve seen even the pickiest eaters go back for seconds when this dish appears on the table. The sweet-tangy combination just works.
What I love most about this recipe is how forgiving it is. No bell peppers? Use what you have. Want it spicier? Toss in some chili. The leftovers, if you manage to have any, taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld together overnight in the fridge. Perfect for meal prep, wouldn’t you agree?
Give this Filipino comfort food a try—it might just become your new family favorite.