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Easy Pineapple BBQ Chicken Bake with Bacon & Cheese

Make this easy and delicious Pineapple BBQ Chicken Bake! Features tender chicken breasts topped with BBQ sauce, pineapple, bacon, red onion, and melted mozzarella.

Ingredients

  • â–¢ 4 chicken breasts, skinless and boneless (thinner ones preferred)
  • â–¢ Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • â–¢ 1 cup BBQ sauce (low sugar recommended, or your favorite)
  • â–¢ 1 cup pineapple, diced (fresh or canned)
  • â–¢ 6 strips bacon, cooked and diced
  • â–¢ ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
  • â–¢ 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded

Toppings:

  • â–¢ Pineapple, diced (optional extra for garnish)
  • â–¢ Green onion, diced

Instructions

1. Prepare Oven and Baking Dish:

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish (or similar size that fits the chicken) with cooking spray or lightly grease with oil.

2. Prepare and Season Chicken:

  • Place the chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish, ensuring they are in a single layer. If using thicker breasts, consider pounding them to an even 1/2 to 3/4 inch thickness first.
  • Sprinkle both sides of the chicken breasts generously with salt and black pepper.

3. Layer the Toppings:

  • Spread the BBQ sauce evenly over the top of the chicken breasts using a spoon or brush.
  • Top the BBQ sauce evenly with the diced pineapple chunks.
  • Sprinkle the cooked, diced bacon over the pineapple.
  • Scatter the thinly sliced red onion over the bacon.
  • Finally, top everything evenly with the shredded mozzarella cheese.

4. Bake:

  • Place the baking dish in the preheated oven.
  • Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C) and the juices run clear. The cheese should be melted and bubbly.

5. Broil (Optional):

  • For extra golden, crispy cheese, carefully switch the oven setting to Broil (High) after the chicken is cooked.
  • Broil for 3-4 minutes, watching constantly to prevent burning, until the cheese is bubbly and browned to your liking.

6. Garnish and Serve:

  • Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes.
  • Top with additional diced pineapple and diced green onions before serving for freshness and color.
  • Serve warm.