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This pineapple BBQ chicken is cheesy, sweet and savory and surprisingly yummy. With 45g of protein per serving all the cheese, it makes for an easy, delicious dinner that’s gluten-free.
This recipe is ideal for those who want to experiment a little in the kitchen without making them feel overwhelmed. It’s perfect for making when you’re feeling a little lazy.
I know I do often, and I make this all the time. Friends and family love it.
There are different things you need to consider if you want to crush this recipe. Make sure you use thinner chicken breasts. They cook more evenly and absorb the flavor better.
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Pin ItAdditionally, make sure you pre-cook the bacon to ensure it stays crispy and flavorful. It also prevents the dish from becoming too greasy.
Finally, the last tip I have to offer is to make sure you don’t overcook the chicken. Overcooking can dry the chicken breasts. And nobody wants that.
Ingredients and Substitutes
4 chicken breasts, skinless and boneless, pick thinner ones – Other meats will work too, just make sure you thin them out.
Salt and black pepper, to taste
BBQ sauce, low sugar (1 cup) – Choose a low-sugar BBQ to avoid adding any unnecessary sugars to your meal.
Pineapple, diced (1 cup) – While I encourage fresh pineapple, if you don’t have any, you can use canned pineapple chunks.
Bacon, cooked and diced (6 strips) – You can use turkey bacon as an alternative or tofu bacon as a plant-based option.
Red onion, sliced (¼) – I recommend using red onion since it adds a subtle sweetness and some crunch. However, you can also use white or yellow onions.
Mozzarella cheese, shredded (1 cup) – For a different flavor profile, you can use cheddar or gouda.
TOPPINGS
Pineapple, diced
Green onion, diced
How to Make Pineapple BBQ Chicken with Bacon
Step 1. Preheat your oven to 400F. Grab a baking dish and spray it with olive oil. Place the chicken breasts on the baking dish. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 2. Cover the chicken breasts with BBQ sauce. Use a spoon to make sure you cover everything.
Step 3. Place the pineapple chunks on top of the chicken. Add the diced bacon and the slices of red onion.
Step 4. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese on top of the chicken.
Step 5. Place the baking dish in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is completely cooked. Once the chicken is cooked, broil for 3-4 minutes until the cheese bubbles and turns crispy.
Step 6. Take it out of the oven and sprinkle diced pineapples and green onions before you serve it.
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Pin ItSide Dishes for This Meal
Here some of my favorite side dishes to have with this meal.
- Grilled vegetables: A combination of grilled vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, and asparagus adds a healthy and colorful touch to your meal.
- Rice Pilaf: This can soak up all those delicious juices from the chicken that I know you are not going to want to leave on the plate. Consider adding some herbs and a squeeze of lemon juice for added flavor.
- Coleslaw: It can provide a refreshing contrast to the rich and savory flavor of the chicken. Make sure you use a light vinaigrette dressing to keep it healthy.
Ways to Modify the Recipe
What I love about this recipe is that you can try different variations until you find the one that you really love. Although I know you are going to love all of them.
So, how can you modify this recipe?
- Add different fruits: Use fresh mango or grilled peaches instead of pineapple. They can add a tropical twist and complement the BBQ flavor of the recipe.
- Replace the sauces: Replace the BBQ sauce with teriyaki for a sweeter, Asian-inspired dish.
- Add some spiciness: Add some chili flakes, smoked chipotle, or hot sauce to add some spiciness to the meal.
Storage and Leftovers
Once you try this recipe, I’m sure you are going to want to keep any leftovers you may have. The good news is that leftovers can be just as delicious as the original meal, only if you store and reheat them properly.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge within two hours of cooking. You can keep it in the fridge for 3-4 days.
If you want to keep them for longer, you can place them in a freezer-safe container. Try portioning them out so you only reheat what you are going to eat. You can keep the chicken for up to 3 months.
To reheat, I’ve found that the oven works best. Place the chicken in the oven at 350°F until it’s warmed through. I try avoiding the microwave since it can make the chicken rubbery.
Other Lazy High Protein Meals
Pineapple BBQ Chicken with Bacon
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts skinless and boneless, pick thinner ones
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup BBQ sauce low sugar
- 1 cup pineapple diced
- 6 strips bacon cooked and diced
- ¼ red onion sliced
- 1 cup Mozzarella cheese shredded
Toppings
- Pineapple diced
- Green onion diced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F. Prepare a baking dish and spray it with oil.
- Place the chicken breasts (use thinner ones) on a baking dish. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper.
- Cover the chicken breasts with BBQ sauce, using a spoon. Then top with pineapple chunks.
- Cover with diced bacon and slices of red onion.
- Finally, top up with mozzarella cheese. Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked.
- Broil for 3-4 minutes to crispen up the cheese. Top up with diced pineapple and green onions before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Soooooo yummy! My daughter can be pretty picky and she so loves this! I’ll be making this again for sure! And it’s super easy to prep too. Thank you!
Love to hear that, Lydia! 😊