Bacon Pineapple BBQ Chicken

I stumbled across this recipe a few years ago when I was desperately searching for a way to make chicken breasts that weren't dry or boring. My family was getting tired of the same old grilled chicken, and I wanted something with a bit more excitement but that wouldn't require me standing over the stove for hours. This Bacon Pineapple BBQ Chicken has since become one of our household favorites - it's that perfect combination of sweet, savory, smoky, and cheesy that somehow manages to please everyone at the table.

The first time I made this for company, my friend's husband asked for seconds before he'd even finished his first serving. Their picky 6-year-old, who normally survives on nothing but plain pasta and chicken nuggets, ate an entire piece and asked if they could have it at their house too. That's when I knew this recipe was a keeper - anything that can bridge the gap between adult and kid food preferences is worth its weight in gold in my book.

Simple Ingredients

Chicken Breasts - 4-6 medium-sized.
BBQ Sauce - 1 ½ cups (your favorite kind).
Pineapple Chunks or Tidbits - 1 (14-ounce) can, drained well.
Bacon - 6-8 slices, cooked until crispy and chopped.
Red Onion - ½ medium, thinly sliced.
Mozzarella Cheese - 1 ½ - 2 cups shredded.
Optional Garnish: Chopped green onions.

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Easy Preparation

Prep Your Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly greasing a 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) baking dish. There's no need to line it with foil or parchment - we want all those delicious juices to mingle together in the dish.

Layer With Love

Place your chicken breasts in the baking dish, arranging them so they're not overlapping. Don't worry about seasoning them with salt and pepper - the BBQ sauce and toppings will provide plenty of flavor. Pour about a cup of BBQ sauce over the chicken, using the back of a spoon to make sure each breast is completely covered. This sauce layer acts as both a marinade and a moisture-preserver for the chicken.

Add The Tropical Touch

Drain your can of pineapple chunks and scatter them evenly over the sauced chicken. Some pieces will fall into the dish around the chicken, and that's perfectly fine - they'll help flavor the sauce as everything bakes together.

Bring On The Bacon

Sprinkle your cooked, chopped bacon over everything. I like to cook a whole package of bacon in the oven ahead of time (just lay the strips on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes until they reach your desired crispness). Then I chop it up and measure out what I need for this recipe. The pre-cooking step is important - if you used raw bacon, it wouldn't crisp up properly and would release too much grease into the dish.

Add Color And Crunch

Scatter thinly sliced red onion over the top. How much you add depends on your family's preference - I probably use about half a medium onion, sliced into thin half-moons. The onions will soften as they bake but still retain a slight crunch that adds wonderful texture to the dish.

Crown With Cheese

Finish the masterpiece with a generous layer of shredded mozzarella cheese - about 1½ to 2 cups. Make sure it covers everything evenly for that perfect cheesy top.

Bake To Perfection

Slide your creation into the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes. The exact time will depend on the thickness of your chicken breasts, so if they're particularly thick, you might need a few extra minutes. The cheese should be melted and starting to get golden spots, and the chicken should register 165°F (74°C) on an instant-read thermometer.

Final Flourish

Let the dish rest for about 5 minutes after you take it out of the oven - this helps the chicken stay juicy when you cut into it. Right before serving, sprinkle with chopped green onions for a fresh pop of color and flavor.

I learned about proper pineapple draining the hard way. The first time I made this dish, I was in a hurry and just quickly drained the can without giving it enough time. The result was a bit too much liquid in the bottom of the dish, which diluted the wonderful BBQ sauce. Now I drain the pineapple in a strainer while I'm prepping everything else, giving it plenty of time to shed excess juice. Sometimes I even pat the chunks with a paper towel for good measure.

Serving Suggestions

This Bacon Pineapple BBQ Chicken is practically a complete meal on its own, but I like to serve it with a simple side to round things out. A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette provides a nice contrast to the rich, savory chicken. If I'm feeding a particularly hungry crowd, some garlic bread or dinner rolls are perfect for sopping up the delicious sauce that collects in the baking dish. For a more substantial meal, it pairs beautifully with coconut rice - the tropical flavors complement the pineapple perfectly. Just cook your regular rice with half water and half coconut milk, and add a pinch of sugar and salt. If you're going for a Hawaiian theme, a simple macaroni salad on the side completes the plate just like you'd get at a Hawaiian BBQ restaurant. When serving, make sure to spoon some of the sauce from the baking dish over each piece of chicken - that's where so much of the flavor lives!

Creative Variations

While the classic version is always a hit, I've played around with several variations over the years that have been equally successful: Spicy Pineapple Chicken - Add a diced jalapeño or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes before baking for a sweet-heat combo that's absolutely addictive. A spicy BBQ sauce works wonderfully here too. Teriyaki Twist - Substitute teriyaki sauce for half of the BBQ sauce and add a sprinkle of sesame seeds at the end for an Asian-inspired variation. This version is particularly delicious served over rice. Mediterranean Style - Swap the pineapple for artichoke hearts and the mozzarella for feta cheese. Use a more neutral BBQ sauce as the base, and finish with fresh diced tomatoes and basil after baking. Tex-Mex Fiesta - Use a chipotle BBQ sauce, swap the pineapple for corn and black beans, and use pepper jack cheese instead of mozzarella. Finish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime for a southwestern flair.

Storage Smarts

This dish reheats beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep or planned leftovers. Store any remaining chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover loosely with foil and warm in a 325°F (160°C) oven for about 15 minutes, or until heated through. The foil helps prevent the cheese from getting too browned during reheating. You can also freeze portions for a future quick meal. I like to wrap individual servings tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating as directed above. The texture of the pineapple might change slightly after freezing, but the flavor will still be delicious.

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Chef's Wisdom

BBQ Sauce Selection - If your sauce tends to burn easily due to high sugar content, cover the dish with foil for the first 15 minutes of baking, then uncover for the remainder. Chicken Temperature - For the juiciest results, take the chicken out when it reaches 160°F (71°C) and let it rest; it will continue cooking to the safe 165°F (74°C). Flavor Boost - For even more flavor, marinate the chicken in some BBQ sauce for a few hours before assembling the dish.

I've made this Bacon Pineapple BBQ Chicken countless times over the years, and it never fails to satisfy. There's something magical about the combination of sweet pineapple, smoky bacon, tangy BBQ sauce, and melty cheese that elevates simple chicken breasts into something truly crave-worthy. It's become one of those recipes that friends and family request by name, and I'm always happy to oblige because it's so effortless to prepare. Whether you're cooking for picky eaters, entertaining guests, or just want a delicious dinner that doesn't require hours in the kitchen, this dish delivers every time.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work great in this recipe. They may need an extra 5-10 minutes of cooking time depending on their thickness.

→ What kind of BBQ sauce works best?

Any BBQ sauce you enjoy will work well. For a more authentic Hawaiian flavor, choose a sweeter sauce or one with pineapple flavoring already in it.

→ Can I use canned pineapple?

Absolutely! Canned pineapple chunks or tidbits work perfectly. Just be sure to drain them well before adding to the chicken.

→ How do I know when the chicken is done?

The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) or when the meat is white throughout with no pink remaining.

→ What sides go well with this dish?

Rice, roasted vegetables, coleslaw, or a simple green salad all pair beautifully with this Hawaiian-inspired chicken.