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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 style…with 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 dinner…comes together in minutes and so delicious too!

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It’s that time of year when I’m 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, I’m really excited for summer this year. Of course I’m 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 I’m excited for all that’s to come.

Saucy Pineapple BBQ Chicken in instant pot bowl

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 chili’s. 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 ahead…when the last thing you want to do is turn on the oven…or even step outside…if you live in a humid climate…which I do not. But not going to lie, I kind of wish I did.

overhead close up photo of Weeknight Saucy Pineapple BBQ Chicken Bowls

What I love about this chicken recipe is that it’s 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 jalapeños. I like to make my homemade BBQ sauce. The recipe is in the HBH cookbook, but there’s a similar version here too. Store-bought is fine as well. If using store-bought, I highly recommend the Primal Kitchen BBQ sauce. It’s the healthiest I’ve seen on the market (no added sugars!) and it’s delicious too.

While the chicken is cooking, prep all the ingredients for the bowls. I love using quinoa for this recipe. It’s 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 it’s 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 it’s 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!

overhead close up photo of Weeknight Saucy Pineapple BBQ Chicken Bowls

While I like to serve this BBQ chicken bowl style, it’s 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. It’s certainly one of my newer “back pocket” recipes.

overhead photo Weeknight Saucy Pineapple BBQ Chicken Bowls

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, don’t 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

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 972 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

Instructions

Instant Pot

  • 1. 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 jalapeño, 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. 
    2. Meanwhile, make the salsa. In a bowl toss together the remaining 1 cup of pineapple chunks, remaining jalapeño, tomatoes, basil or cilantro, juice of 1 lime, and a pinch of salt. 
    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. 

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 jalapeño, 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. 
    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 jalapeño. 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. 
    2. Follow the directions as directed above for steps 2-3.
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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Girl, your recipes are so good. First of all, your BBQ sauce. It is SO GOOD. Second: this is yet another amazing (and easy!) bowl. I am crazy addicted to this one!! This is like, summer served in sweet and spicy bowl of goodness. Everyone loved it. I plan on making this a ton this season and every year. Thank you so much for another fantastic dinner!! PS, I added sweet potatoes, too. Mmm…

    1. Ah this is so amazing to hear! Thank you so much for trying my recipes, Elle! I am so glad you enjoy them! Thank you! xTieghan

  2. Where does the 1/2 up cilantro go?
    Sprinkled over salad at the end? I see the 1/4 cup goes into the chicken

    1. Hi Toni! The basil goes into the salsa. Recipe is all fixed. So sorry about that! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan

  3. Tieghan, I am a home cook for a husband and older children and I’m a foodie with a high bar for a quality recipe, sometimes combining the best parts of recipes and searching out hard to find ingredients…so a tough customer. I have made easily 3 dozen of your recipes and you have a gift. I was skeptical as you are early in your career and it takes years to develop good instincts. Except for you apparently 🙂 You are far beyond your years. This recipe is delicious. I will be modifying this very slightly to back down the sweet and amp up the spicy but that is me splitting hairs. Your food is delicious. I have your cookbook. I’m a fan.-Kim

    1. Hi Kim! I am so glad you enjoyed these bowls and I hope you continue to enjoy my recipes! Thank you so much! xTieghan

    1. Hi Melissa, just adjust the cooking time to make sure the thighs are cooked through. I would add 2 minutes to the instant pot cooking time, but no need to adjust for the slow cooker. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan

  4. 4 stars
    Made this for dinner tonight in the instant pot, very flavorful with a nice blend of heat from the peppers, creaminess from the avocado, and sweet tangy flavor from the BBQ sauce. I did use brown rice in place of quinoa and served this all in wraps rather than in bowls. Overall, definitely a recipe I will repeat.

  5. 5 stars
    This was absolutely delicious. We did use salmon instead of chicken. We marinated the salmon with the same ingredients and cooked the salmon in parchment paper. Now I’m a pretty good cook, however, my husband declared that this was his favorite dish with your help of course. (He loves food) thank you. We will definitely be making this again.

  6. 5 stars
    This recipe looks “over the top” yummy! What a wonderful combination of all the ingredients and flavors. I’m crazy about any kind of pineapple sauce but yours sounds amazing with the jalapeños to spice it up and the cilantro to make it fresh. I love also that you can serve it up in less than 30 minutes. What a GREAT recipe. Thanks for sharing.

  7. Do you have suggestions for making the fried garlic? This looks amazing as a new variation for our favorite brown rice bowls!

    1. Hi Deanne, see below for directions to fry the garlic. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan

      Heat a few tablespoons of grapeseed oil in a large nonstick skillet. Arrange thinly sliced garlic slivers in a single layer and set over medium heat. Cook, stirring often until garlic is barely golden and crisp, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer garlic chips to paper towels to drain; season with salt. Here is the how-to on bon-appetit. https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/the-garlickiest-fried-rice

  8. Do you think I could substitute canned pineapple chunks for fresh pineapple in a pinch? Thank you!

    1. Hey Cari! I am sure canned pineapple chunks will be great! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan

  9. Alright u sold me on quinoa with this dish. I ate this last week and it was bomb (minus the pineapple, that was too much). Quinoa is not that bad and a healthy supplement to rice. Ima start using it. Where can I buy it outside of India and is it hard to cook? Thnx

    1. Quinoa is just as easy as rice to make and you can buy it anywhere you would like! Glad you’re loving this brotha hope it cooks well for dinner every night! xTieghan

    1. Hey Susan, the salsa is incorporated into the recipe and made while the chicken is cooking. If you read the recipe all the way through hopefully it will make sense. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan

  10. Omgsh this looks absolutely delicious, I definitely will be making this recipe ? I’m new to your site but I’m sure glad I found it, because I’m loving everything I’ve seen so far lol.
    You’re pics of food are sooo vibrant and beautiful, can’t wait to start making all your unique recipes.
    Thank you for sharing Tieghan ?

  11. I love how you imbrase instant pot in your recipies recently. You are right, i do not think summer and instant pot together.. This one is a keeper for sure!