Pineapple Chicken Tenders are an easy recipe to make, and it smelled amazing while it was cooking in the oven.
Let me put you at ease, there is really no way you could mess up this recipe. It’s a quick mix, pour, and bake recipe. We are all about simple, yet delicious. You can’t go wrong with this chicken dish.
A no-fail recipe at it’s finest.
Love chicken tenders? Try our Sticky Honey Baked Chicken Tenders or our Brown Sugar Bacon Chicken Tenders! They are so good.
Make ahead dinner
Pineapple Chicken Tenders can easily be made ahead of time. We love recipes we can prepare in the morning when we know we have a busy day.
This recipe calls for about 30 to 60 minutes of marinating time. If you choose to marinate for longer, it will enhance the flavor even more and the chicken will be moist.
After the Pineapple Chicken Tenders are prepared in the pan, cover them well and then place them in fridge until ready to bake.
Chicken Breasts vs Tenders
The chicken tender is part of the chicken breast. Chicken tenders are a strip of breast meat connected to the chicken breast. Chicken tenders are all white meat.
If you did not have any chicken tenders for this recipe, you could easily slice up some chicken breasts and use them. It would taste exactly the same.
Chicken strips are thinner than a chicken breast, so they cook a lot quicker. Chicken tenders are less expensive than chicken breasts. We love to use them in our recipe for Baked Honey Lime Chicken Tenders.
Chicken tenders work great in slow cooker recipes in place of chicken breasts. Many prefer using them in various recipes to save money, and because the flavor is the same.
Chicken tenders have a tendon that runs through them. You can cut it out if it bothers you, or you can leave it in. It will not hurt you.
Depending on where you buy your chicken, sometimes the tendon is already removed when they cut the chicken tender away from the chicken breast.
“I have so much time!” -No mom ever
Let us give you your time back. With the Six Sisters’ Meal Plans, we do the dinner planning, grocery ordering, and then all you have to do is decide whether to pick them up or have them delivered.
How to make pineapple chicken tenders:
Arrange your chicken tenders in a 9 x 13 inch pan that has been sprayed with non stick cooking spray.
In a separate dish combine the drained pineapple chunks, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, and honey in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Pour 3/4 of the mixture over the chicken.
Cover with foil or plastic wrap and marinate in the fridge for about 1 hour.
Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Uncover the chicken and place in the heated oven and cook for 25-30 minutes or until no long pink in the center.
You can marinate the chicken longer for even more amazing flavor. These pineapple chicken tenders are so moist you can cut them with your fork.
You can sprinkle sesame seeds on top if desired. Serve the pineapple chicken tenders with the remaining marinade that was not used. It makes a great dipping sauce.
Can pineapple chicken tenders be cooked in a slow cooker?
Pineapple chicken tenders could easily be adapted to cook in a slow cooker. The cooking time in the oven is only about 25 to 30 minutes.
You will still need to give the chicken time to marinate before placing in the slow cooker.
The slow cooker time will vary. You can cook it on low for about 4 -5 hours or until the chicken reaches a safe temp of 165 degrees F.
Items needed for this recipe:
- 9 x 13 inch baking dish – We love this 9 x 13 inch glass dish. It comes with a clear cover for a dish on the go.
- Blender – This blender is great for this recipe, we also love using it for smoothies.
- Mixing Bowl – This is a great set that comes with 3 bowls in different sizes. We use them for so many recipes.
Have you heard about our newest cookbook, Copycat Cooking? We took over 100 of our favorite restaurant recipes and simplified them so that you can make them right at home!
Every recipe has a beautiful mouth-watering photo and has been picky-eater approved. The directions are simple, easy to follow, and do not require any strange ingredients.
This cookbook includes copycat recipes from Wingers, Texas Roadhouse, Starbucks, Panera, Cheesecake Factory, Kneaders, and so much more. We have you covered from drinks, to dessert and everything in-between.
We are so excited to share these recipes with you. Order your copy today!
SIX SISTERS’ STUFF COPYCAT COOKING <—– CLICK HERE TO ORDER!
Check out these side dishes with Pineapple chicken tenders:
- Roasted Veggie Pasta Salad
- Mom’s Traditional Pasta Salad
- Roasted Baby Potatoes
- Twisted Cheese Breadsticks
- Captain America Fruit Platter
Pineapple Chicken Tenders Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken tenders
- 23.5 ounces pineapple chunks, 1 jar, drained
- ⅓ cup BBQ Sauce
- 2 Tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Honey
- 2 Tablespoon sesame seeds, optional
Instructions
- Arrange chicken tenders in a lightly sprayed 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
- In a blender or food processor combine the pineapple chunks, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, and honey.
- Blend until smooth.
- Pour 3/4 of the blended mixture over the chicken tenders arranged in the baking dish.
- Cover and marinate in the fridge for an hour.
- Remove from fridge and bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes, or until no longer pink in middle.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds on top of chicken if desired.
- Serve with the remaining sauce for dipping.
Notes
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a review or a question in the comment section below the post.Recipe adapted from Dole
Be sure to not miss another recipe! Follow Six Sisters’ Stuff on Instagram|Facebook|Pinterest|YouTube
Have you checked out our YouTube channel?
Tomatos are on my cannot eat list. Most of the time I substitute chicken broth in chicken recipes. Would that work for this recipe or do you have a suggestion as a substitute for the barbeque sauce?
Hi, how can I make this into a freezer meal? Great site and recipes! Thanks!
Pineapple chicken tenders could easily be made into a freezer meal. Just place everything into a freezer bag instead of in the pan. Freeze. When ready to eat, thaw and cook according to directions.
Sweet, tangy, and totally delicious! The pineapple glaze is a game changer for chicken.