Easy BBQ Chicken Skillet Dinner

You know those evenings when you’re staring into the fridge and the odds and ends seem to be shouting only one word at you: “NOPE”? Well, fear not, because Easy BBQ Chicken Skillet Dinner swoops in like a culinary superhero. Quick, tasty, and made in a single skillet, it’s the recipe equivalent of wearing pajamas all day — comfy and endlessly satisfying. Why bother with takeout when you can whip up this bad boy at home?
My little chaos crew loves this dish, and by chaos crew, I mean my husband and a toddler who somehow learned how to yeet scrambled eggs across the room. This recipe makes us all happy. There was this one time we ate it sitting on the floor picnic style because someone decided the dining table was a race track. Spoiler: it’s still glorious from the floor. This dish has become a weeknight hero in our home, kinda like a cozy little campfire for everyone to gather around — except way less flammable.
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Why You’ll Love This Easy BBQ Chicken Skillet Dinner
1. You only need one pan. That means less time washing, more time eating.
2. It tastes way fancier than the effort it requires — chef skills not necessary!
3. Even the little humans will chow down on this with glee. Trust me, if I’ve sold it to a picky toddler, it’s a winner.
4. It’s the ultimate “wait, I forgot to grocery shop” rescue plan. Use what you got!
How to Make It
Let’s dive in, shall we? First, grab your favorite skillet and throw it on medium heat. Drizzle some oil and toss in chicken chunks — any size works, just not bite-sized unless you’re a velociraptor. Sizzle until they start browning beautifully. Then, scooch them to one side and make room for onions and garlic. Stir until the kitchen smells like heaven, or at least until your nosy neighbor texts you asking what you’re cooking. Next, pour in that BBQ sauce like you mean it, let it coat everything deliciously. I usually mess up right about here and add too much on purpose. Ain’t nobody complaining about saucy goodness! Toss in some pineapple chunks, fresh or canned —whatever’s hanging about. Let it all mingle and marry in the heat, stirring occasionally when you remember.
Ingredient Notes
– Chicken: What can I say? More if you’re hungry, less if not. Works either way, as long as it’s chicken.
– BBQ Sauce: I once used whatever was left in two different bottles. Guess what? Perfectly imperfect.
– Pineapple: Yup, canned is cool. Fresh is fancier. Just, you know, peel it if it’s fresh — teeth are not tools.
Recipe Steps:
1. Heat oil in a skillet; brown chicken pieces.
2. Add onions and garlic; sauté until fragrant.
3. Stir in BBQ sauce to coat chicken and veggies.
4. Mix in pineapple chunks; simmer until heated through.
What to Serve It With
Tips & Mistakes
– Adding too much onion: Isn’t a crime. It’s a blessing in disguise.
– Forgetting pineapple: The extra trip to the store is so worth it. Or just mash in whatever fruit you’ve got. Hey, we’ve all been there.
Storage Tips
Let it cool and slide it into a snug container. Throw it in the fridge for next-day lusciousness; it’s magic re-heated. Cold leftovers? Weirdly satisfying. Breakfast version? Absolutely zero judgment.
Variations and Substitutions
Oh gosh, the door is wide open for swaps! Try honey instead of sugar in the BBQ sauce for a smoother sweet twist. Out of soy sauce? Tamari or coconut aminos step in like champs. Accidentally left out the sesame oil? No one will notice — except maybe Bobby Flay, but he’s not in your kitchen, right?
Frequently Asked Questions

Easy BBQ Chicken Skillet Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 0.75 cup barbecue sauce use your favorite brand
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup sliced bell peppers use a mix of red and yellow
- 0.5 cup chopped red onion
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 0.25 tsp smoked paprika
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
- to taste salt
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add chicken breasts, season with salt, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Cook for 5-6 minutes per side until browned and cooked through.
- Remove chicken from skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, add bell peppers, onion, and garlic. Cook for 5 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Return chicken to skillet and pour barbecue sauce over the top. Stir to coat everything evenly and cook for another 3-4 minutes until heated through.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
Featured Comments
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