Pineapple Chicken

Pineapple Chicken is one of my favorite (and easiest) ways to prepare chicken breasts. Sweet, tangy and savory, this simple recipe turns out perfect every time. The best part is this chicken dinner recipe only takes 5 ingredients and 20 minutes to bake.

I’m doing the Hula, aren’t you? Right now. Me, grass skirt, waving my arms.

Pineapple Chicken

Everyone loves barbecued chicken, right? That’s where this recipe for Pineapple Chicken starts. Don’t worry, though, once we are finished, you end up with a Hawaiian inspired flavor.

For this baked chicken recipe, start by generously brushing chicken cutlets on both sides with a thick and sweet barbecue sauce. Use any kind you like, but thick works best.

The trick to getting this chicken to cook perfectly is a hot oven and thin chicken breast cutlets. We used 3 large chicken breasts (about 10 ounces each), and cut them in half lengthwise to create thinner pieces.

Now for the tasty part: fresh and juicy pineapple. You can use canned rings if you’d like, but nothing beats a ripe pineapple for the perfect amount of acidity and sweetness. We used about half of a regular pineapple, or two cups. (For this recipe, it would take about 9 pineapple rings cut into thirds to top the chicken.)

Next step to making Pineapple Chicken is to top each piece of chicken with three pieces of pineapple. (You can certainly add more if you’d like.) While the chicken cooks, the pineapple will broil and the juices drip down onto the chicken making it moist.

In a small bowl, stir together brown sugar and soy sauce to create a thick paste. (The exact amounts of ingredients can be found in the recipe at the bottom of this post.)

Brown sugar and soy + pineapple = delish.

Evenly spoon the brown sugar mixture over the pineapple. Don’t worry, it isn’t too sweet. The soy balances out the sugar.

The flavors of brown sugar, soy, pineapple and barbecue sauce create this amazing sauce while the chicken cooks. And you don’t have to lift a finger.

This is what you should have before baking. Six beautiful chicken cutlets all sauced and fruited and ready for the oven. Can you wait 20 minutes for the result?

For the best results, baste the Pineapple Chicken during the last few minutes. Simply tilt the pan slightly and spoon some of that sweet-savory sauce over the top.

Who is ready to eat Pineapple Chicken?

This chicken dinner recipe is perfect served with steamed vegetables, stir fry and rice. Serve with a generous serving of the pan sauce for an extra delicious touch.

Love this Chicken Recipe? Here are more you should try:

Marinated Grilled Chicken Skewers

Thai Sticky Chicken Wings

Cheesy Southwestern Grilled Chicken + Fresh Black Bean Salsa

Asian Sticky Chicken

Carolina Mustard Chicken Wings

If you are looking for a side dish to try, how about Soy + Black Pepper Mushrooms or Baked Lemon Rice?

Quick Step-by-Step on How to Make Pineapple Chicken:

1. Preheat oven to 425.
2. Cut chicken breasts into cutlets.
3. Brush both sides with sauce of choice.
4. Top with pineapple.
5. Spoon brown sugar + soy mixture over the top.
6. Bake for 20 minutes.
7. Rest for 5 minutes and enjoy!

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5 from 2 votes

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Pineapple Chicken

Using only 5 ingredients, this fast and delicious recipe for pineapple chicken will soon become a weeknight family favorite. Tangy sweet pineapple with a blend of sauce, brown sugar and soy makes a perfectly tender, moist baked chicken entree.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword pineapple chicken

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Resting Time 5 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Servings 6

Calories 241 kcal

Author Buy This Cook That

Buy This

• 3 chicken breasts large, boneless, skinless
• 12 tablespoons barbecue sauce divided, thick works best
• 2 cups pineapple sliced or rings
• 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

Cook That

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a rimmed baking pan with foil. 

2. Cut chicken breasts in half lengthwise to make 6 cutlets. Brush both sides generously with barbecue sauce, using about 2 tablespoons per cutlet.

3. Arrange the pineapple pieces or slices on top of the chicken. 

4. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and soy sauce to make a paste. Spoon the mixture evenly over the pineapple. 

5. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes. During the last few minutes of baking, baste the chicken by spooning the pan sauce over the pineapple chicken. 

6. Remove from oven, cover loosely with foil, and rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Pineapple Chicken

Amount Per Serving (1 g)

Calories 241 Calories from Fat 27

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 3g 5%

Cholesterol 72mg 24%

Sodium 660mg 28%

Potassium 573mg 16%

Total Carbohydrates 27g 9%

Dietary Fiber 1g 4%

Sugars 22g

Protein 24g 48%

Vitamin A 2.9%

Vitamin C 33.8%

Calcium 2.9%

Iron 5.1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.