Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Burger (Print Version)
Tropical twist featuring grilled chicken, sweet pineapple, and teriyaki sauce in a soft bun for island flavor.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken Marinade
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 5 oz each)
02 - 2 tbsp soy sauce
03 - 2 tbsp pineapple juice
04 - 1 tbsp olive oil
05 - 1 tsp garlic powder
06 - ½ tsp ground black pepper
→ Teriyaki Sauce
07 - ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
08 - ¼ cup pineapple juice
09 - 2 tbsp brown sugar
10 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
11 - 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water
→ Burger Assembly
12 - 4 pineapple rings (fresh or canned, drained)
13 - 4 burger buns
14 - 4 lettuce leaves
15 - 4 slices red onion
16 - 4 slices tomato
17 - 2 tbsp mayonnaise
# How-To Steps:
01 - Combine soy sauce, pineapple juice, olive oil, garlic powder, and black pepper in a bowl. Add chicken breasts and marinate for at least 15 minutes, up to 2 hours for deeper flavor penetration.
02 - In a small saucepan, mix soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, and rice vinegar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 1-2 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and set aside.
03 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, approximately 375-400°F.
04 - Grill marinated chicken breasts for 5-6 minutes per side until fully cooked, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. During the final 2 minutes of cooking, place pineapple rings on the grill and cook until lightly caramelized with grill marks.
05 - Lightly toast burger buns on the grill cut-side down for 30-60 seconds until golden brown.
06 - Spread mayonnaise on the bottom bun if desired. Layer lettuce leaf, grilled chicken breast, drizzle with teriyaki sauce, add grilled pineapple ring, tomato slice, red onion slice, and crown with the top bun.
07 - Serve immediately while chicken is hot and pineapple retains its sweetness.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The teriyaki sauce uses simple pantry staples but tastes restaurant quality
- Grilled pineapple adds natural sweetness that balances the savory chicken perfectly
02 -
- Letting the chicken rest for 5 minutes after grilling keeps it juicy
- The teriyaki sauce thickens as it cools so do not overcook it
03 -
- Room temperature chicken cooks more evenly than cold
- Brush pineapple with a little teriyaki sauce while grilling for extra flavor