Grilled Aloha Chicken and Pineapple Recipe
Looking for the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and a little tropical flair? Grilled Aloha Chicken and Pineapple is a crowd-pleaser that instantly transports your taste buds to an island getaway. This dish is packed with juicy marinated chicken, caramelized pineapple, and a glaze that brings everything together. Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, need a flavorful weeknight meal, or just craving something that feels special without too much work, Grilled Aloha Chicken and Pineapple will hit all the right notes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe shines because of its simple ingredient list—each item brings something unique, from bright acidity to caramelized sweetness. When combined, these essentials create that crave-worthy glaze and irresistibly balanced bite you’ll want in every forkful.
- Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless cuts are perfect for soaking up all that flavorful marinade and grilling evenly.
- Soy sauce: Lends a savory, umami backbone and helps tenderize the chicken.
- Pineapple juice: Adds natural sweetness and subtle tang, making both the marinade and glaze totally irresistible.
- Brown sugar: Caramelizes for gorgeous grill marks and deepens the sweetness.
- Olive oil: Helps keep the chicken moist and adds richness to the marinade.
- Rice vinegar: A little acidity balances out all the sweet and savory notes.
- Garlic (minced): Fresh garlic wakes up the flavors and brings aromatic complexity.
- Fresh ginger (grated): Gives a warm, subtle zing that cuts through the sweetness.
- Red pepper flakes (optional): Toss these in if you love a gentle, spicy kick.
- Pineapple rings: Grilling these (fresh or canned!) means juicy, caramelized slices that totally make the dish.
- Chopped green onions and sesame seeds (optional): Add a dazzling, restaurant-quality finish when sprinkled on top.
How to Make Grilled Aloha Chicken and Pineapple
Step 1: Whisk Up the Marinade
Start by combining soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, olive oil, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes in a bowl. This vibrant marinade is everything—sweet, salty, sticky, with a little zip from the ginger. Give it a good whisk until the brown sugar dissolves and everything looks glossy and blended.
Step 2: Marinate the Chicken
Place your chicken breasts in a large resealable bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade right over the top, making sure each piece is well-coated. Seal it up, then let the magic happen in the fridge for at least 1 hour (though overnight is ideal for deep, delicious flavor!). While you wait, the pineapple juice and soy sauce will work together to tenderize and infuse the chicken with bold, tropical notes.
Step 3: Preheat Your Grill
When you’re almost ready to eat, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking—the chicken and pineapple both love to sear and caramelize when the grill is hot and ready.
Step 4: Grill the Chicken
Remove the chicken breasts from the marinade, shaking off any excess. Place them on the grill and cook for 6 to 7 minutes per side, or until they’re beautifully browned and the juices run clear. If you like, set aside a small portion of the marinade (before adding raw chicken!) to simmer into a sweet-savory glaze for drizzling.
Step 5: Char the Pineapple Rings
When the chicken’s almost done, lay those juicy pineapple rings on the grill. Just a couple of minutes per side is all you need for gorgeous grill marks and a burst of caramelized, tropical flavor. The heat brings out the pineapple’s natural sugars, making each slice extra special atop the chicken.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Plate your Grilled Aloha Chicken and Pineapple with a pineapple ring on each piece of chicken. Sprinkle on chopped green onions and sesame seeds for a finishing flourish that’s as pretty as it is tasty. If you made that extra glaze, now’s the time to drizzle it over everything!
How to Serve Grilled Aloha Chicken and Pineapple
Garnishes
Give your Grilled Aloha Chicken and Pineapple the royal treatment with a scattering of freshly chopped green onions for color and freshness, plus a sprinkle of sesame seeds for extra crunch and a lovely finishing touch. If you want to go above and beyond, add a squeeze of lime for brightness.
Side Dishes
This dish is a superstar next to a simple bowl of steamed jasmine or coconut rice. Grilled vegetables—think peppers, zucchini, or snap peas—bring out the summery vibes. A light green salad with a citrusy dressing is also wonderful for balancing out the sweetness and smokiness of the main dish.
Creative Ways to Present
Feeling festive? Thread bite-sized chicken and pineapple chunks onto skewers for vibrant party kebabs. Or layer the chicken and pineapple over a hearty salad for a light lunch. You can even slice leftovers thin and tuck them into Hawaiian sandwich rolls for a fun twist on sliders—the sweet and savory flavors are always a hit!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, place any extra Grilled Aloha Chicken and Pineapple in an airtight container. In the fridge, it’ll stay fresh and flavorful for up to 3 days—perfect for lunches or busy weeknight dinners.
Freezing
You can freeze the grilled (and cooled) chicken for up to 2 months. I recommend freezing the chicken and grilled pineapple separately to maintain the best texture. Simply thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
To warm things up, gently reheat the chicken and pineapple in the microwave or a covered skillet over medium-low heat just until heated through. A splash of extra pineapple juice over the top will help keep everything juicy and bright.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are extra juicy and work beautifully in this recipe. Just adjust grill time as they may take a minute or two longer to cook through.
Is Grilled Aloha Chicken and Pineapple gluten-free?
It can be! Simply swap in a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari, and you’ll have a delicious, gluten-friendly version that everyone can enjoy.
What if I don’t have access to a grill?
No problem at all—this recipe transitions easily to a stovetop grill pan or even just a broiler. The flavor will be fantastic, and you’ll still get those tasty caramelized bits.
Can I marinate the chicken too long?
While marinating overnight is perfect, anything past 24 hours can actually start to affect the chicken’s texture and make it a bit mushy. Aim for 1 hour up to overnight for the best results.
Do I need fresh pineapple, or can I use canned?
Either works! Fresh pineapple gets a little more caramelized on the grill and looks gorgeous, but high-quality canned rings are super convenient and totally delicious in Grilled Aloha Chicken and Pineapple.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a meal that’s both fun and fuss-free, Grilled Aloha Chicken and Pineapple is just what you need. It brings together bold flavors in a way that feels like a treat every time, whether it’s your first taste or your fiftieth. Give it a try and let those sunny, sweet-savory Hawaiian-inspired notes brighten up your next dinner!
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Grilled Aloha Chicken and Pineapple Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy a taste of the tropics with this delicious Grilled Aloha Chicken and Pineapple recipe. Tender chicken breasts marinated in a sweet and savory blend of soy sauce, pineapple juice, and spices, grilled to perfection and served with caramelized pineapple slices.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Marinade:
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Additional:
- 4 pineapple rings (fresh or canned)
- Chopped green onions and sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Marinade: Whisk together soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, olive oil, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
- Marinate Chicken: Place chicken in marinade, refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Grill Chicken: Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes per side until cooked through.
- Add Pineapple: Grill pineapple rings for 2 minutes per side.
- Serve: Top chicken with pineapple slices, green onions, and sesame seeds.
Notes
- For added flavor, reserve some marinade to use as a glaze.
- Pair with rice, grilled veggies, or a simple salad.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Hawaiian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with pineapple
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
