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This broiled chicken breast is tender, juicy, and topped with sweet pineapple for a simple, flavorful meal. Cooked under the oven broiler, it’s ready in minutes and perfectly portioned for one.
Featured Comment
“Made this recipe last night and it was delicious!! Loved the charred pineapple on top of the chicken. Definitely a keeper for me!”
– Rose
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bold Sweet and Savory Flavor: Lime-marinated chicken topped with broiled pineapple gives you citrus and sweetness in every bite.
- Quick to Make: This broiled chicken breast cooks in minutes.
- Nutritious and Satisfying: Lean chicken breast and pineapple make a meal that feels light but filling.
- Easy Broiler Method: The broiler browns the chicken nicely without using the stovetop or grill.
- Single Serving Friendly: This recipe makes just enough for one meal, so you can enjoy a fresh, satisfying dinner without scaling ingredients up or down.
There’s something especially satisfying about pulling a sizzling chicken breast from the oven, topped with lightly browned pineapple and citrusy juices in the pan. The broiler gives the chicken a lightly golden surface while keeping it tender and juicy, with the pineapple balancing the lime and butter.
I like how reliable this recipe is. The broiler does the work, the timing is predictable, and it’s one I return to when I want a flavorful dinner without a lot of steps.
Serve this broiled chicken breast with cilantro lime rice, a bowl of buttered noodles, sautéed green beans or a loaded baked potato. It also works well sliced over roasted broccolini or added to a Greek chicken bowl or Caprese chicken salad.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this juicy broiled chicken recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Olive Oil: I use extra virgin olive oil for its rich flavor and to help the chicken brown and stay moist under the high heat of the broiler. You can swap in a lighter olive oil if that’s what you have.
- Lime Juice: Adds bright, citrus flavor that pairs well with the pineapple and enhances the overall taste. Lemon or orange juice works too for a different citrus note.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Basic seasonings that boost flavor throughout the chicken. Adjust amounts to your preference.
- Chicken Breast: This recipe uses one boneless, skinless chicken breast – perfect for a quick, healthy broiled chicken dinner. If you have an extra breast, use it in any of our single serving chicken recipes like chicken nuggets for one or single serving chicken fajitas.
- Pineapple: Fresh pineapple adds sweet, tangy contrast to the savory chicken and helps keep the dish juicy and flavorful. Use leftover pineapple in a small batch of ambrosia or a healthy green smoothie.
- Butter: A tablespoon of butter on top melts under the broiler to add richness and help develop a lightly caramelized finish.
Recipe Variations
This broiled chicken breast is easy to adjust with small changes:
- Spicy Chicken: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne to the marinade for heat.
- Garlic Lime Chicken: Add an extra clove of garlic and a little more lime juice for stronger citrus flavor.
- Honey Pineapple Chicken: Stir 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey into the marinade for a lightly sweet finish.
- Tropical Swap: Replace the pineapple with mango slices and broil until lightly browned.
How To Broil A Chicken Breast
This quick method shows you how to make a juicy broiled chicken breast using simple ingredients and your oven broiler. The photos below walk you through the process so you know exactly when the chicken is done.
See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full instructions.
- Make the Marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, salt, and black pepper.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken breast in a shallow dish or a resealable bag and coat it with the marinade.
- Broil the Chicken: Set the chicken on a small rimmed baking sheet. Place it under the broiler and cook for 5 minutes.
- Flip and Add Toppings: Remove the pan from the oven and flip the chicken. Top with the pineapple slices and butter.
- Finish Cooking: Return to the broiler and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, depending on thickness, until the chicken is cooked through.
- Check for Doneness: Insert a thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken. It should read 165°F.
Optional: For more color on the pineapple, flip the chicken once more and broil for 2 to 3 minutes until lightly caramelized.
Expert Tips
- Rack Position: Place the oven rack 5 to 6 inches below the broiler so the chicken cooks evenly without burning.
- Preheat the Broiler: Let the broiler heat fully before adding the chicken for consistent cooking.
- Flip Once: Turn the chicken halfway through cooking to ensure both sides brown evenly.
- Watch Closely: Broilers cook quickly, so keep an eye on the chicken to prevent over-browning.
- Rest Before Slicing: Let the chicken rest for about 10 minutes after broiling to keep it juicy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most boneless, skinless chicken breasts take 13 to 15 minutes total under the broiler, depending on thickness.
Chicken is fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part.
Chicken can dry out if it’s overcooked or too thin. Use a thermometer and remove it as soon as it reaches 165°F.
It’s best to thaw the chicken fully before broiling so it cooks evenly and doesn’t dry out.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this moist and flavorful broiled chicken or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
If you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see!
Broiled Chicken Breast For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- 1 (6-ounce) boneless skinless chicken breast
- 2 pineapple slices
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Place the chicken breast in a shallow dish or zip-top bag, add the marinade, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Position the oven rack 5 to 6 inches below the broiler. Set the oven to broil and preheat on high.
- Place the chicken on a rimmed baking sheet and broil for 5 to 6 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and flip the chicken. Top with the pineapple slices and butter.
- Return to the broiler and cook for about 8 minutes, until lightly browned and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Watch closely, as broilers vary.
- Transfer the chicken to a plate, cover, and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Rack Position: Place the oven rack 5 to 6 inches below the broiler so the chicken cooks evenly without burning.
- Preheat the Broiler: Let the broiler heat fully before adding the chicken for consistent cooking.
- Flip Once: Turn the chicken halfway through cooking to ensure both sides brown evenly.
- Watch Closely: Broilers cook quickly, so keep an eye on the chicken to prevent over-browning.
- Rest Before Slicing: Let the chicken rest for about 10 minutes after broiling to keep it juicy.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Can the olive oil be omitted, without putting any other oil in place for a lower calorie meal?
If I were to make it without the oil, would this not taste good?
Thank you in advance!
The olive oil is an important part of the marinade in this recipe. It helps coat the chicken evenly, allowing the seasonings to stick better, and it also contributes to the chicken staying moist while broiling. Without the oil, the chicken may dry out, and the flavors might not be as well-balanced. If you’re looking to reduce calories, you could try using a smaller amount of oil, but omitting it entirely may affect the texture and taste.
This was excellent. However, it pretty much seems impossible for me to broil anything without setting off the smoke alarm. My kitchen is very small and very close to the smoke alarm. Nothing burned, but there is a lot of smoke. Could I just bake this and get the same effect?
Yes, you can bake the chicken at 400 degrees F for 20-25 minutes, until the chicken is no longer pink.
This was the first one dish kitchen meal I made and it was fantastic. The short list of ingredients is deceiving–this tastes wonderful! I made two breasts and used the second one on a salad for lunch the next day which was also very good!
Wondering if this is fresh or canned pineapple? My inclination would be to use fresh, but the pix look canned.
I used canned pineapple but you can use fresh.
Made this recipe last night and it was delicious!! Loved the charred pineapple on top of the chicken. Definitely a keeper for me! Thanks for such great recipes Joanie.
I really enjoyed this recipe. It was simple and delicious. Will be cooking it again soon!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Thank you so much for your feedback.
Can I broil with the chicken on a Sil-Pat?
It is not recommended. Silpat can’t be used under a broiler. Instead, I recommend using either aluminum foil to line the baking sheet or don’t use anything.
I cooked the chicken and pineapple in my glass bowled halogen cooker on 220 degrees for a couple of minutes longer than suggested, rather than grilling (broiling) so that I didn’t need to constantly need to keep an eye on it. Worked fine, was tasty, and served with a simple salad of cherry tomatoes, lettuce, olives, apple, radish and handful of raisins with simple olive oil/Balsamic dressing. I’m a widowed U.K. pensioner
I’m so happy you enjoyed the chicken recipe, Bernard. Thank you for your feedback.