Barbecue Pineapple Chicken is a tropical, sweet, and savory dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or a backyard barbecue. This simple recipe delivers a burst of sunshine in every bite, making it an incredibly useful and delicious meal to have in your repertoire.
Key Ingredients for Barbecue Pineapple Chicken
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 cup your favorite barbecue sauce
- 1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained (reserve a tablespoon of the juice if desired)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for searing, optional)
- Fresh pineapple chunks, for garnish (optional)
- Chopped fresh cilantro or parsley, for garnish (optional)
How to Make Barbecue Pineapple Chicken
This Barbecue Pineapple Chicken recipe is a flavor explosion that’s surprisingly easy to whip up. It’s a satisfying meal that perfectly balances sweet and savory, packed with tender chicken and a luscious, tangy sauce. The simple preparation means you can have this delightful dish on your table in about 40 minutes, making it ideal for busy evenings.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: If using chicken breasts, you may want to pound them to an even thickness for consistent cooking. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. This helps achieve a better sear if you’re opting for that step. Season lightly with salt and pepper, if desired.
- Mix the Barbecue Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine your favorite barbecue sauce, the drained crushed pineapple, brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Stir well until everything is thoroughly incorporated. If you reserved a little pineapple juice earlier, you can add it now for an extra hint of sweetness and tang.
- Sear the Chicken (Optional but Recommended): Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or oven-safe pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully add the chicken pieces. Sear for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. This step adds a wonderful depth of flavor and texture to the chicken, but you can skip it if you’re in a real hurry.
- Simmer with Sauce: Pour the prepared barbecue pineapple sauce over the chicken in the skillet. Ensure the chicken is mostly submerged in the sauce. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
- Cook Through: Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center. The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your chicken pieces. For chicken thighs, it might take a little longer than for thin chicken breasts.
- Thicken the Sauce (Optional): If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. Increase the heat to medium and let the sauce simmer uncovered for another 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired consistency. You can also create a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) and whisk it into the simmering sauce, cooking until thickened.
- Serve: Return the chicken to the skillet to coat it in the thickened sauce. Serve the Barbecue Pineapple Chicken hot, spooning extra sauce over the top. Garnish with fresh pineapple chunks and chopped cilantro or parsley for a vibrant finish. This dish is fantastic served with rice, grilled vegetables, or a side salad.
Why You’ll Love This Barbecue Pineapple Chicken
You’ll absolutely adore this Barbecue Pineapple Chicken for its incredible tropical twist on a classic favorite. The star of this dish is undoubtedly the sweet and tangy pineapple infused into a rich, savory barbecue sauce, creating a flavor profile that’s both comforting and exciting. Unlike some complex grilled chicken recipes that require marinating for hours, this dish is incredibly budget-friendly, allowing you to create a restaurant-worthy meal right in your own kitchen without breaking the bank. The delightful burst of sweetness from the pineapple and the savory depth from the barbecue sauce make it a stand-out compared to a simple grilled chicken breast.
This delightful Barbecue Pineapple Chicken is more than just a meal; it’s a vacation on a plate that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s surprisingly quick to prepare, making it a weeknight winner, and the vibrant flavors will have everyone asking for seconds. So, don’t wait – gather your ingredients and dive into this delicious and easy-to-make recipe today.
Storing and Reheating Tips
- Refrigeration: Once cooled, store any leftover Barbecue Pineapple Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the lid is sealed tightly to prevent the chicken from drying out and to maintain its flavor.
- Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the Barbecue Pineapple Chicken. Place it in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag, removing as much air as possible. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Make sure to label the container with the date for best quality.
- Reheating: To reheat, place the desired portion in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water or extra barbecue sauce to help rehydrate the chicken and sauce. Cover and cook until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat in the microwave, stirring halfway through for even heating. If reheating from frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator first, then reheat as above.
Final Thoughts
This Barbecue Pineapple Chicken is a truly delightful and easy-to-make dish that brings a taste of the tropics right to your table. Its perfect blend of sweet and savory makes it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, so give it a try for your next family meal or gathering!
Barbecue Pineapple Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- If using chicken breasts, you may want to pound them to an even thickness for consistent cooking. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. This helps achieve a better sear if you’re opting for that step. Season lightly with salt and pepper, if desired.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- In a medium bowl, combine your favorite barbecue sauce, the drained crushed pineapple, brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Stir well until everything is thoroughly incorporated. If you reserved a little pineapple juice earlier, you can add it now for an extra hint of sweetness and tang.1 cup your favorite barbecue sauce, 1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or oven-safe pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully add the chicken pieces. Sear for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. This step adds a wonderful depth of flavor and texture to the chicken, but you can skip it if you’re in a real hurry.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Pour the prepared barbecue pineapple sauce over the chicken in the skillet. Ensure the chicken is mostly submerged in the sauce. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, 1 cup your favorite barbecue sauce, 1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center. The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your chicken pieces. For chicken thighs, it might take a little longer than for thin chicken breasts.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. Increase the heat to medium and let the sauce simmer uncovered for another 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired consistency. You can also create a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) and whisk it into the simmering sauce, cooking until thickened.
- Return the chicken to the skillet to coat it in the thickened sauce. Serve the Barbecue Pineapple Chicken hot, spooning extra sauce over the top. Garnish with fresh pineapple chunks and chopped cilantro or parsley for a vibrant finish. This dish is fantastic served with rice, grilled vegetables, or a side salad.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, fresh pineapple chunks, chopped fresh cilantro or parsley