Description
This Pineapple Grilled Chicken recipe combines juicy, marinated chicken breasts with sweet and tangy pineapple rings, grilled to perfection for a flavorful and healthy meal. The marinade features a blend of pineapple juice, Hawaiian barbecue sauce, and spices that create a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy that enhances the chicken’s natural taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (pounded and thin cut)
- 1/4 cup canned pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup Hawaiian barbeque sauce
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Pineapple
- 1 8 oz can pineapple rings (drained, juice reserved)
Instructions
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high heat to prepare for cooking the chicken and pineapple rings.
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, combine the pineapple juice, Hawaiian barbeque sauce, low sodium soy sauce, olive oil, brown sugar, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and onion powder. Mix thoroughly to create a flavorful marinade.
- Reserve Marinade for Basting: Set aside 1/4 cup of the marinade to use later for basting the grilled chicken before serving.
- Marinate Chicken and Pineapple: Place the chicken breasts and pineapple rings into the remaining marinade, cover, and refrigerate for 10-20 minutes. Avoid marinating for more than 20 minutes because pineapple juice can break down the chicken meat too much.
- Grill Chicken and Pineapple: Grill the marinated chicken breasts and pineapple rings for about 4-5 minutes on each side, ensuring the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Serve: Serve the grilled chicken and pineapple hot, brushing with the reserved marinade. Optionally garnish with chopped green onions for added freshness and flavor.
Notes
- Do not marinate the chicken for more than 20 minutes to prevent the pineapple juice from overly tenderizing the meat.
- Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
- You can garnish with green onions or fresh herbs for extra flavor and presentation.
- For a smokier flavor, use charcoal grill or add wood chips to a gas grill.
- Serve with a side of rice or salad for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Keywords: pineapple grilled chicken, grilled chicken recipe, summer BBQ chicken, pineapple marinade, Hawaiian chicken, easy grilled chicken
