Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Burger (Printable)
Juicy grilled chicken paired with caramelized pineapple and savory teriyaki, stacked for a tropical taste experience.
# Ingredient List:
→ 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 (optional)
# Steps:
01 - Whisk together soy sauce, pineapple juice, olive oil, garlic powder, and black pepper in a bowl. Submerge chicken breasts in the marinade and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor penetration.
02 - Combine soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, and rice vinegar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer. Whisk in the cornstarch slurry and continue cooking for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency. Remove from heat and reserve.
03 - Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high temperature, approximately 375-400°F.
04 - Remove chicken from marinade and place on the hot grill. Cook for 5-6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F. During the final 2 minutes of cooking, add pineapple rings to the grill and cook until lightly charred and caramelized.
05 - Lightly butter burger buns if desired and place cut-side down on the grill for 30-60 seconds until golden brown and lightly crisped.
06 - Spread mayonnaise on the bottom bun. Layer with lettuce leaf, grilled chicken breast, and drizzle generously with teriyaki sauce. Add grilled pineapple ring, tomato slice, and red onion. Cap with the top bun and press gently.
07 - Serve immediately while chicken is hot and pineapple retains its grill marks. Pair with sweet potato fries or tropical slaw if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The homemade teriyaki sauce comes together in minutes and tastes way better than anything from a bottle
- These burgers strike that perfect balance between sweet and savory that makes everyone reach for seconds
02 -
- Pounding the chicken to even thickness prevents the thin parts from drying out while you wait for the thick parts to cook through
- Let the teriyaki sauce cool slightly before serving because it gets incredibly hot and thickens more as it sits
03 -
- Pat the pineapple rings dry with paper towels before grilling to achieve better caramelization
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after grilling so the juices redistribute evenly