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 Baked Lemon Rice?
Quick Step-by-Step on How to Make Pineapple Chicken:
- Preheat oven to 425.
- Cut chicken breasts into cutlets.
- Brush both sides with sauce of choice.
- Top with pineapple.
- Spoon brown sugar + soy mixture over the top.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- Rest for 5 minutes and enjoy!
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📖 Recipe
Pineapple Chicken
Ingredients
- 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
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a rimmed baking pan with foil.
- Cut chicken breasts in half lengthwise to make 6 cutlets. Brush both sides generously with barbecue sauce, using about 2 tablespoons per cutlet.
- Arrange the pineapple pieces or slices on top of the chicken.
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and soy sauce to make a paste. Spoon the mixture evenly over the pineapple.
- Bake uncovered for 20 minutes. During the last few minutes of baking, baste the chicken by spooning the pan sauce over the pineapple chicken.
- Remove from oven, cover loosely with foil, and rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Wendy Robinson
This dish was so easy to make. Instead of chicken cutlets I cut the chicken into bite size pieces. I used a 9×13 glass pan lined with foil, I then squirted sweet baby Ray's honey BBQ sauce. Mixed the chicken in the sauce, I used crushed pineapple about 1 and a half cup's on top of the chicken. I poured the brown sugar soy sauce over the pineapple. Lastly I added pre cooked broccoli florets to the dish after the chicken dish rested for 10 min. served over rice , my son had his over mashed potatoes. Awesomeness is what he said after taking a bite. The recipe is a keeper. Thank you!
Teri
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your comment. Happy that your son loved it, too!