Description
Pineapple BBQ chicken breast delivers tropical tang in a classic comfort dish from Hawaii. Juicy chicken combines sweet and smoky flavors you will love for weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 chicken breasts, boneless
Main Sauce and Fruit:
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)
Seasonings and Oil:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
Garnish:
- Fresh cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400F (200C), preparing a baking dish for the chicken.
- Generously coat chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika, ensuring even seasoning.
- Sear chicken in hot olive oil over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side, developing a golden-brown exterior.
- Create a sauce base in the baking dish by spreading half the BBQ sauce across the bottom.
- Arrange seared chicken breasts onto the sauce layer, positioning them evenly.
- Distribute pineapple chunks across and around the chicken pieces.
- Pour remaining BBQ sauce over the chicken and pineapple, completely covering the surface.
- Transfer baking dish to preheated oven and roast for 25-30 minutes until chicken internal temperature reaches 165F (75C).
- Once cooked, remove from oven and let rest for 3-5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Optional: Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro on top for added brightness and garnish.
- Serve immediately while hot, with sauce and pineapple chunks.
Notes
- Opt for a low-sodium BBQ sauce to control salt intake and create a healthier version of this dish.
- Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts of uniform thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dry edges.
- Marinate chicken in pineapple juice for 30 minutes before cooking to enhance tenderness and add extra tropical flavor.
- For a gluten-free adaptation, verify that your BBQ sauce is certified gluten-free and use alternative thickeners if needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 265 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1.2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg