Aloha Grilled Pineapple Chicken
Aloha Grilled Pineapple Chicken is a vibrant tropical dish featuring marinated, smoky grilled chicken breasts paired with caramelized fresh pineapple slices. This recipe marries sweet, savory, and spicy flavors for a healthy, easy-to-prepare meal perfect for warm weather gatherings, backyard barbecues, or casual dinners.
- Author: Gloria
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes (including marinating time)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Tropical / Hawaiian-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken and Marinade Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Grilling Ingredients
- 1 fresh pineapple, sliced into rings or rounds
- Additional olive oil for grill
Optional Garnishes
- Chopped green onions
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Chopped fresh cilantro
- Prepare the Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, olive oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper until well combined, balancing sweet and savory flavors.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts into a large resealable bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, seal, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, preferably 2 hours or overnight for deeper flavor absorption.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high and oil the grates well to prevent sticking. Preheating ensures beautiful grill marks and perfect caramelization of the pineapple slices.
- Grill the Chicken and Pineapple: Remove chicken from marinade and place on the grill. Cook the chicken for 6-7 minutes per side until fully cooked and juices run clear or internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Grill the pineapple slices alongside the chicken for 2-3 minutes per side until charred and softened.
- Rest and Serve: Let the grilled chicken rest for 5 minutes to retain its juices. Serve topped with the caramelized pineapple slices and garnish as desired.
Notes
- Marinate chicken overnight for more intense flavor.
- Use fresh pineapple for best texture and natural sweetness; canned pineapple can be a last resort.
- Do not skip resting the chicken after grilling to keep it moist and tender.
- Oil grill grates properly to achieve perfect grill marks and prevent sticking.
- Check doneness early with a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking.
- Reserve some marinade before adding chicken to brush on during grilling for extra glaze.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with pineapple slices
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: grilled chicken, pineapple chicken, tropical chicken recipe, summer grilling, healthy chicken recipe, aloha chicken, barbecue chicken