This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
Weeknight Saucy Pineapple BBQ Chicken Bowls, the deliciously quick and easy meal. Shredded chicken in a sweet and spicy pineapple BBQ sauce. All made in the instant pot (along with slow cooker and stove-top variations). Serve this up bowl styleโฆwith quinoa, fresh pineapple salsa, avocado, and crispy fried garlic chips. Bonus, this saucy BBQ chicken is great leftover for lunch. Pile it high onto your favorite toasted bun for a yummy BBQ chicken sandwich. The perfect weeknight dinnerโฆcomes together in minutes and so delicious too!
Half Baked Harvest At Home
20+ new recipes for wholesome comfort food made with everyday ingredients. Pre-order today! HBH At Home will be released on Tuesday, February 23rd!
Itโs that time of year when Iโm reminded of my childhood favorite, BBQ chicken. Did anyone else eat plenty of BBQ chicken as a kid? My dad would grill chicken and smother it in BBQ sauce pretty much all summer long. It was easy, and not one of us complained. We all loved it, and to this day BBQ chicken just screams laid back summer nights to me.
I have to say, Iโm really excited for summer this year. Of course Iโm always excited, but my body is very ready for the long days of summer sun, slightly more relaxed vibes, summer tomatoes, fruits, and basically all the other wonderful things that come along with summertime. Fully aware that we still have about a month left of spring, but Iโm excited for all thatโs to come.
The one thing I really want to do more of this summer? Well, the one thing other than just chill out for two minutes? Is use my instant pot and slow cooker more! For whatever reason, everyone assumes that the instant pot/slow cooker should only be used during the colder months. Maybe because typically the things cooked inside them are soups, stews, and chiliโs. But we all know that so much more can be made in our instant pots (and slow cookers), the options are really endless.
And the best part? Cooking in the instant pot creates almost no heat in your kitchen. Making it the perfect cooking method for the hot days aheadโฆwhen the last thing you want to do is turn on the ovenโฆor even step outsideโฆif you live in a humid climateโฆwhich I do not. But not going to lie, I kind of wish I did.
What I love about this chicken recipe is that itโs one of those one and done kind of dinners. This chicken has very little prep and takes just minutes to come together, great for weeknights!
You can pressure cook, slow cook, or even cook this on the stove (use the method that works best for you) right along with the BBQ sauce, pineapple chunks, and spicy jalapeรฑos. I like to make my homemade BBQ sauce. The recipe is in the HBH cookbook, but thereโs a similar version here too. Store-bought is fine as well. If using store-bought, I highly recommend the Primal Kitchen BBQ sauce. Itโs the healthiest Iโve seen on the market (no added sugars!) and itโs delicious too.
While the chicken is cooking, prep all the ingredients for the bowls. I love using quinoa for this recipe. Itโs a nice switch up from the usual rice, plus it takes only 20 minutes, so it is super fast. I usually have already cooked quinoa waiting in my fridge for busy nights, so itโs my go-to.
For the salsa, I kept it simple, since I wanted the flavors from the BBQ sauce and the pineapple to really come through. I used fresh romaine lettuce, plenty of fresh pineapple and lime juice. I added cherry tomatoes for a burst of sweet flavor and color. Then I got a little fancy, and made some fried garlic chips. Which are especially good and add a nice crunch too.
Once the chicken has finished cooking, lightly shred it. Then itโs assembly time. Layer up the quinoa, salsa, saucy chicken, and I like to finish each bowl with avocado and fresh chives.
Nothing too over the top, but this is feel good food for sure. Completely addicting thanks to that sweet and spicy pineapple BBQ sauce, but healthy too!
While I like to serve this BBQ chicken bowl style, itโs equally delicious piled onto your favorite toasted bun. Top with slaw, and make it into a BBQ chicken sandwich. Great for picnics or whatever your needs may be. You could even do fun slider buns when serving guests.
The leftovers the next day make for a delicious chopped BBQ chicken salad. Maybe with a little honey mustard too? Yes, that would be very good. Just a thought.
Either way you serve this chicken, I have high hopes it will be well loved. Itโs certainly one of my newer โback pocketโ recipes.
If you make these Weeknight Saucy Pineapple BBQ Chicken Bowls, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, donโt forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Weeknight Saucy Pineapple BBQ Chicken Bowls
Ingredientsย
- 2 poundsย boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2ย cups BBQ sauce, homemade or store-bought, (if using store-bought, I like Primal Kitchens BBQ Sauce)
- 2 tablespoon pineapple juice
- juice from 2 limes
- 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks
- 2 jalapeรฑos, chopped, and seeded if desired
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- kosher salt and pepper
- 3 cups cooked quinoa or rice
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, and or cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
- 5 cups shredded romaine lettuce
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 4 fresh chives, chopped
- fried garlic for serving (optional)
Instructionsย
Instant Pot
- 1.ย In the bowl of your instant pot, combine the chicken, 1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce, pineapple juice, juice of 1 lime, 1 cup pineapple chunks, 1 jalapeรฑo, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Cover and cook on high pressure/manual for 8 minutes. Once done cooking, use the natural or quick release function and release the steam. Shred with two forks and stir in the cilantro and remaining BBQ sauce, if desired.ย 2.ย Meanwhile, make the salsa. In a bowl toss together the remaining 1 cup of pineapple chunks, remaining jalapeรฑo, tomatoes, basil or cilantro, juice of 1 lime, and a pinch of salt.ย 3. Divide the quinoa among bowls and top with the lettuce, pineapple salsa, the chicken, and avocado. Sprinkle with chives and fried garlic, if using. Drizzle the chicken with the remaining BBQ sauce left in the bowl.ย
Slow Cooker
- 1. In the bowl of your slow cooker, combine the chicken, 1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce, pineapple juice, juice 1 lime, 1 cup pineapple chunks, 1 jalapeรฑo, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. Once the chicken is done cooking, shred with two forks and stir in the cilantro and remaining BBQ sauce, if desired.ย 2. Follow the directions as directed above for steps 2-3.
Stove-Top
- 1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large heavy bottomed pot over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the chicken and season with salt and pepper. Sear the chicken on both sides, about 3-4 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and add 1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce, pineapple juice, juice of 1 lime, 1 cup pineapple chunks, and 1 jalapeรฑo. Cover and simmer the chicken for 1-2 hours. If the sauce gets too thick, add water to thin the sauce out. Once the chicken is done cooking, shred with two forks and stir in the cilantro and remaining BBQ sauce, if desired.ย 2. Follow the directions as directed above for steps 2-3.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
So yummy, healthy, and easy. I had some leftover barbecue chicken. Added red onion to the salsa. I also added a little corn, cucumber, and radish, dressing it in layers on top, offered ranch dressing on the side for extra flavor. Everyone loved it.
Hi Katy,
Amazing! Love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks so much for making it! xT
Loved this recipe as it gave us plenty of leftovers for the week. I would recommend cutting the breast in half for the instant pot. Did mine for eight minutes, and was undercooked on the thicker portion.
Definitely will be using again!
Hey Leslie,
Happy Monday! I appreciate you trying this recipe and your comment, I’m so glad it turned out well for you! xT
Had good flavor. But the time was WAY off! Just cooking the chicken in an instant pot takes just as long as the total cook time. And somewhere you have to cook quinoa, or rice. I donโt know about anyone else, but I donโt have that just hanging around waiting to use it. So that also adds to the time. Definitely NOT a weeknight dinner.
Hi Clayton,
Thanks for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback! So sorry to hear it was not enjoyed! Please let me know if there is anything that I can help with! xT
I made this tonight and it was so delicious! Lines up with my healthy eating plan and my kids loved!!! So much flavor and texture!
Thank you for taking the time to try out this recipe! So glad to hear you enjoyed it! xT
I’m eating it as I type and it is SO good! I cooked the chicken in my crockpot. Chicken, 1 cup bbq sauce, cooked on low for 6 hours. I used canned pineapple because I didn’t want to buy an expensive bottle of juice only to use a few tbsp. I found the can had more than enough juice in it. I substituted picked jalapeรฑos and tiny cups of guacamole because my store didn’t have any ripe avocados. Thanks for such a great recipe!
Hey Korey,
Love it!!๐ช๐ฆ I am thrilled to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it and sharing your review!! xx
Iโve made this several times, sometimes modifying based on what I have on hand (a chipotle pepper for jalapeรฑo is a permanent change). Itโs a great and flavorful bowl! As other reviewers have said, it makes great next day pulled chicken sandwiches. For people dealing with runny sauce, I usually take the chicken out of the pot to shred, and immersion blend the sauce. A quick simmer on sautรฉ function usually thickens it perfectly. Thanks for a great midweek meal!
Hey Karensa,
Amazing!! I love to hear that this recipe is always a winner, thanks a bunch for making it so often and sharing what works well for you:)
Absolutely delicious! Will definitely make this again!
Hi Stacey,
Awesome!! Thanks so much for your review:) Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a try! xx
Chicken thighs bone in would work? or boneless thighs?
Hi Jane,
I would use boneless thighs for this recipe:) Please let me know if you give it a try, I hope the recipe turns out amazing for you! xx
Do you have to do anything differently if you are using frozen chicken in the instant pot? I love all the recipes of yours that I’ve made so far and I can’t wait to try this one!
Hey Jessica,
I always thaw my chicken, so I would probably recommend doing that first. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
How did you cut your avos like that?! Love.
Hey Rosie,
I peel the avocado and then slice thin slices around the whole avocado. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
This recipe was so good and super easy to make in the crockpot! We had it as a bowl for dinner then as sliders on Hawaiian rolls for lunch the next day and it was almost even better. Will def be making this again!
Hey Priya,
Fantastic!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it! xTieghan
What if I did the chicken in the crockpot how long would you do it for?
Hey Ashton,
I would cook on low for 6 hours. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
GREAT recipe! So easy, tasty, adaptable and healthy.
I cooked stove top and it took just over an hour. It was quite watery so an extra 10 minutes on boil while I shredded the chicken did the trick!
Would recommend this to anyone and will be cooking again!
Hey Mikaela,
Thanks so much for trying the recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Have a great weekend:) xTieghan
This has been added to our lockdown rotation! So easy and delish and I nice change from the pasta/stirfry/tacos repeat ๐
Hey Julia,
I am delighted that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! xTieghan
Everything you put out is Gold. This recipe is super simple and delicious. The combination of flavors work well together and I can’t wait to make it for my friends.
Thank you so much Heather! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan