If you’re looking for a lunch (or dinner!) that hits every craving you didn’t even know you had, this BBQ Chicken Pineapple Grilled Cheese is your golden ticket. Imagine tender, barbecue-slicked chicken mingling with juicy rings of pineapple, all smothered in sharp cheddar cheese and sandwiched between slices of crispy, buttery sourdough. It’s a sweet, smoky, melty bite of summer any time of year—easy enough for a weeknight yet memorable enough for a crowd. This recipe is gluten-free friendly and guaranteed to make your kitchen the place everyone wants to be.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of BBQ Chicken Pineapple Grilled Cheese is all in the perfectly balanced ingredients. Each component brings its own unique flair to the party: from the tangy barbecue sauce to the juicy brightness of pineapple and the savory comfort of cheese and bread—no substitutions needed unless you’re in a pinch!
- Sourdough Bread: The ultimate foundation for grilled cheese, offering crunch and tang that balances all the flavors.
- Unsalted Butter: Ensures the bread toasts up golden, flavorful, and perfectly crisp without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Cooked Chicken Breast: Go for juicy, tender chicken—perfect for soaking up all that smoky barbecue sauce.
- Barbecue Sauce: Sweet, smoky, and a little tangy—choose your favorite style for the ultimate flavor boost.
- Fresh Pineapple Rings: Adds a burst of juicy sweetness; if using canned, just be sure to drain thoroughly to avoid soggy sandwiches.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Freshly grated cheddar melts beautifully and cuts through the sweetness with a sharp, savory bite.
- Non-stick Cooking Spray: A light spritz guarantees the sandwich sears evenly and doesn’t burn.
How to Make BBQ Chicken Pineapple Grilled Cheese
Step 1: Roast and Shred the Chicken
Preheat your oven to 175°C. Place the chicken breasts in a baking dish and pour half of the barbecue sauce over them, turning to coat each piece well. Roast the chicken for about 20 minutes, or until it’s fully cooked and incredibly juicy. Let the chicken cool for a few minutes, then shred it into bite-size pieces using two forks. Toss the shredded chicken with the remaining barbecue sauce for maximum flavor in every bite.
Step 2: Butter the Bread
Spread the softened butter generously on one side of each sourdough slice. This is your golden ticket to that crisp, restaurant-style grilled cheese exterior. Place the breads butter-side down on your work surface, ready for layering the fillings.
Step 3: Build the Sandwiches
Sprinkle about 25 grams of freshly grated cheddar over four slices of bread. Grab your barbecue chicken and pile a quarter of it onto each cheesy base, then artfully arrange two pineapple rings on top. Finish with another layer of cheddar (25 grams per sandwich), then close each sandwich with the remaining bread slices, buttered side up.
Step 4: Grill to Crispy, Gooey Perfection
Warm up your largest non-stick skillet over medium heat and spritz it lightly with cooking spray. Working in batches, add two sandwiches at a time. Grill for 3–4 minutes on the first side, pressing lightly for an even crust. Flip gently to the other side and cook 1–2 minutes more—don’t walk away, as the cheese melts fast and the bread needs to stay perfectly golden and not too dark!
Step 5: Slice and Serve
Transfer your BBQ Chicken Pineapple Grilled Cheese to a cutting board and slice each one in half—diagonally is classic, but triangles are just plain fun. Serve them immediately while the cheese is gooey and the aroma is irresistible.
How to Serve BBQ Chicken Pineapple Grilled Cheese
Garnishes
Nothing completes a grilled cheese quite like a sprinkle of something zesty. Try a handful of freshly chopped cilantro, a drizzle of extra barbecue sauce, or even a few thinly sliced jalapeños for some extra kick. These finishing touches bring out the playful flavors of your BBQ Chicken Pineapple Grilled Cheese.
Side Dishes
Serve up your sandwiches with classic kettle chips, a crunchy coleslaw, or a simple green salad—the tang and crunch pair well with the gooey richness of the grilled cheese. Tomato soup is another classic partner, balancing the sweet and savory notes from every bite.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice each BBQ Chicken Pineapple Grilled Cheese into bite-size fingers for party platters, or stack wedges on a platter lined with pineapple leaves for a tropical touch. For a dinner party, try pairing with small glasses of smoky bourbon cocktails or iced tea—delicious and memorable!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you end up with extra sandwiches (which is rare!), wrap each one in foil once cooled and pop them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay tasty for up to two days, though nothing beats that just-grilled crunch.
Freezing
For longer storage, place fully assembled (but ungrilled) sandwiches between sheets of parchment and freeze in a zip-top bag. When ready, you can grill them directly from frozen—just add an extra minute or two on each side and keep the heat on medium-low so the cheese has time to melt.
Reheating
To reheat, skip the microwave, which can make the bread soggy. Instead, gently warm your sandwich in a skillet over medium heat until the exterior is crispy again and the cheese is gooey. If you’re in a hurry, pop it in the oven or a toaster oven at 175°C for about 8 minutes.
FAQs
Can I make BBQ Chicken Pineapple Grilled Cheese with rotisserie chicken?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is a fantastic time-saver and perfect for this recipe—just shred the meat, toss with barbecue sauce, and you’re good to go.
What’s the best barbecue sauce to use?
Choose a barbecue sauce that suits your taste—smoky and sweet works beautifully here, but spicy or tangy sauces add their own twist. Homemade or store-bought are equally delicious.
Can I use a different kind of cheese?
Sharp cheddar is classic for its flavor and melt factor, but feel free to try smoked gouda, mozzarella, or even Monterey Jack if you want to experiment.
Is fresh pineapple necessary?
Fresh pineapple gives the brightest flavor and texture, but well-drained canned pineapple rings work really well in a pinch. Just make sure there’s no excess liquid to keep your sandwich crisp.
Can I make BBQ Chicken Pineapple Grilled Cheese gluten-free?
Definitely! Just swap out the sourdough for your favorite gluten-free bread—everything else in the recipe is naturally gluten-free.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something outrageously fun and satisfying about biting into a BBQ Chicken Pineapple Grilled Cheese—the melty cheese, the punch of barbecue flavor, and that burst of pineapple sweetness make every bite special. Give this recipe a try and let it become your new go-to for easy, unforgettable comfort food!
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BBQ Chicken Pineapple Grilled Cheese Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This BBQ Chicken Pineapple Grilled Cheese is a delicious twist on the classic grilled cheese sandwich, featuring tender shredded chicken in tangy barbecue sauce, sweet pineapple rings, and gooey cheddar cheese on crispy sourdough bread.
Ingredients
Sourdough Bread:
- 8 thick slices sourdough bread
Butter:
- 60 grams unsalted butter, softened
Cooked Chicken:
- 320 grams cooked chicken breast, shredded
Barbecue Sauce:
- 120 millilitres barbecue sauce, divided
Pineapple Rings:
- 8 thin rings fresh pineapple (or well-drained canned pineapple)
Cheddar Cheese:
- 200 grams sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
Cooking Spray:
- Non-stick cooking spray, as needed
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 175°C. Bake chicken breasts coated with half of the barbecue sauce for 20 minutes until fully cooked. Shred the chicken.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Spread butter on one side of each bread slice. Layer cheddar, chicken tossed in remaining barbecue sauce, pineapple rings, more cheddar, and top with another bread slice.
- Grill Sandwiches: Cook sandwiches in a skillet over medium heat with cooking spray until golden and cheese melts.
- Serve: Slice sandwiches diagonally and serve hot.
Notes
- Use canned pineapple if fresh is unavailable, ensuring it’s well-drained.
- Adjust barbecue sauce amount to taste.
- Recipe can be doubled for larger groups.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Sandwich
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
