Name: Pineapple BBQ Chicken with Bacon Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 chicken breasts (skinless and boneless, pick thinner ones); Salt and black pepper (to taste); 1 cup BBQ sauce (low sugar); 1 cup pineapple (diced); 6 strips bacon (cooked and diced); ¼ red onion (sliced); 1 cup Mozzarella cheese (shredded); Pineapple (diced); Green onion (diced)

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Get ready to fall head over heels for Pineapple BBQ Chicken with Bacon, a dish that packs bold flavors and weeknight convenience into every bite. Sweet pineapple mingles with tangy BBQ sauce, juicy chicken, smoky bacon, and melty mozzarella, creating a mouthwatering combo that’s impossible to resist. Whether you’re making dinner for the family or dazzling guests at a casual get-together, this recipe is a surefire way to make everyone at the table happy. Prepare for big smiles and zero leftovers!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Simplicity is the magic word here—each ingredient in Pineapple BBQ Chicken with Bacon is carefully chosen to bring out the best in the others. You’ll be amazed how these straightforward items turn into a dish with unforgettable layers of flavor, color, and comfort. Here’s what you’ll need:

Chicken breasts: Choose skinless, boneless, and thinner cuts for faster, juicier cooking and perfect sauce coverage.
Salt and black pepper: Enhance the chicken’s natural flavor and balance all the sweet and savory notes.
BBQ sauce (low sugar): Provides that sticky, smoky tang that ties pineapple and bacon together beautifully—feel free to use your favorite brand.
Pineapple (diced): The pops of tropical sweetness make every bite shine; fresh is best, but canned works too in a pinch.
Bacon (cooked and diced): Adds irresistible crunch and smoky saltiness; cook it just until crisp for the best texture.
Red onion (sliced): Brings a gentle bite and appealing color contrast to the mix.
Mozzarella cheese (shredded): Melts to a gorgeous, gooey finish and pulls all the flavors together.
Pineapple (extra, diced): For a bright, juicy garnish just before serving.
Green onion (diced): Adds a fresh, zippy pop of color and flavor in the final flourish.

How to Make Pineapple BBQ Chicken with Bacon

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Baking Dish

Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring a hot environment ready to work its magic. Grab a roomy baking dish, give it a quick spritz with nonstick spray, and set aside—this means cleanup will be a breeze and nothing will stick.

Step 2: Lay Out and Season the Chicken

Arrange the chicken breasts in your baking dish in a single, even layer. Remember, thinner chicken breasts cook more evenly and absorb the flavors faster. Sprinkle both sides lightly with salt and black pepper to ensure the chicken tastes just as good inside as it looks outside.

Step 3: Dress with BBQ Sauce and Pineapple

It’s time for that irresistible barbecue flavor! Spoon BBQ sauce over each chicken breast, spreading it to cover the tops generously. Next, scatter diced pineapple over the sauced chicken—these golden bits create bursts of juicy sweetness throughout every bite of Pineapple BBQ Chicken with Bacon.

Step 4: Add Bacon and Red Onion

Pile on the cooked, diced bacon for that craveable salty crunch. Layer in the sliced red onion as well; its punchy flavor mellows and sweetens as it bakes, complementing the pineapple and BBQ notes perfectly.

Step 5: Mozzarella Magic and Bake

Finish off each chicken breast by blanketing it with shredded mozzarella cheese. Pop your dish into the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is bubbly and golden around the edges.

Step 6: Broil and Garnish

For the ultimate cheesy, caramelized finish, switch your oven to broil for a quick 3–4 minutes—just watch closely so the cheese crisps but doesn’t burn. Once out of the oven, hit the top with extra diced pineapple and green onions for color, crunch, and the signature look of Pineapple BBQ Chicken with Bacon.

How to Serve Pineapple BBQ Chicken with Bacon

Pineapple BBQ Chicken with Bacon Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

Never underestimate the power of a handful of fresh toppings! A scattering of extra diced pineapple and green onion just before serving makes your Pineapple BBQ Chicken with Bacon look as good as it tastes. The cool, vibrant garnish also adds welcome freshness, balancing the savory, cheesy richness.

Side Dishes

This dish pairs beautifully with all sorts of sides—from fluffy white or jasmine rice that soaks up every drop of sauce, to roasted veggies like broccoli or asparagus. If you’re craving something comforting, go for buttery mashed potatoes or a simple garden salad to round out this flavor-packed meal.

Creative Ways to Present

To really show off the magic of Pineapple BBQ Chicken with Bacon, try serving it sliced and fanned over a mound of rice, or make it the star of a hearty sandwich on a toasted brioche bun. You can even cut it into strips and layer over flatbreads for a BBQ-inspired pizza twist that’ll have everyone asking for seconds!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Have leftovers? Lucky you! Store any remaining Pineapple BBQ Chicken with Bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen overnight, making tomorrow’s lunch something to look forward to.

Freezing

Want to prep ahead? Let your cooked chicken cool completely, then wrap it tightly or place in individual freezer bags. It’ll keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. For best texture, save garnishing with fresh pineapple and green onion for the day you serve.

Reheating

To reheat, place your chicken in an oven-safe dish, cover lightly with foil, and warm at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until heated through—about 15 minutes. Add a sprinkle of fresh cheese and briefly broil if you want to bring back that melty topping. Microwave reheating works in a pinch but may soften the bacon.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs bring a juicy richness that works wonderfully here. Just adjust your baking time slightly since thighs may need a few more minutes to cook through. They’ll be delicious slathered in all that BBQ and pineapple goodness.

What’s the best BBQ sauce to use?

A low-sugar or classic smoky BBQ sauce is my go-to for Pineapple BBQ Chicken with Bacon, but feel free to experiment. Sweet, spicy, or hickory variations all play beautifully with the pineapple and bacon. Homemade BBQ sauce works great if you’re feeling adventurous.

Can I prep this dish ahead of time?

You sure can! Assemble everything up to the point of baking, cover and refrigerate for several hours or even overnight. When ready, pop it straight into the oven—just add an extra five minutes or so to the baking time if it’s going in cold.

Is there a dairy-free alternative to mozzarella?

There are some fantastic shredded plant-based cheeses out there if you want to go dairy-free. Look for one that melts well, and you’ll still get that lovely bubbly topping on your Pineapple BBQ Chicken with Bacon!

Can I make this recipe on the grill?

Yes! Grill the seasoned chicken breasts first, and then transfer them to a foil pan. Top with BBQ, pineapple, bacon, onions, and cheese, then place the pan on the grill until everything’s melted and bubbly. You’ll get an extra hit of smoky flavor that’s perfect for summer cookouts.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something magical about Pineapple BBQ Chicken with Bacon—it’s fun, a little bit fancy, and totally irresistible every single time. If you’re craving a crowd-pleaser that’s loaded with color, flavor, and those perfect sweet-savory bites, this recipe is calling your name. Grab the ingredients, invite someone you love, and savor every delicious forkful!

Pineapple BBQ Chicken with Bacon Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 22 reviews

Author: Chloe
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

This Pineapple BBQ Chicken with Bacon recipe is a flavorful twist on a classic dish, combining sweet pineapple, tangy BBQ sauce, crispy bacon, and gooey mozzarella cheese for a mouthwatering meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken:

4 chicken breasts (skinless and boneless, pick thinner ones)
Salt and black pepper (to taste)

BBQ Sauce and Toppings:

1 cup BBQ sauce (low sugar)
1 cup pineapple (diced)
6 strips bacon (cooked and diced)
¼ red onion (sliced)
1 cup Mozzarella cheese (shredded)
Pineapple (diced)
Green onion (diced)

Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400F. Prepare a baking dish and spray it with oil.
Season chicken: Place the chicken breasts on a baking dish. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper.
Add BBQ sauce: Cover the chicken breasts with BBQ sauce, using a spoon. Then top with pineapple chunks.
Add toppings: Cover with diced bacon and slices of red onion.
Top with cheese: Finally, top up with mozzarella cheese. Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked.
Broil: Broil for 3-4 minutes to crispen up the cheese. Top up with diced pineapple and green onions before serving.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American