Description
Hawaiian-inspired grilled aloha chicken combines sweet and savory flavors in a tropical delight. Marinated chicken and caramelized pineapple slices create a perfect summer meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) soy sauce
- ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) pineapple juice
- 1 fresh pineapple (peeled, cored, and sliced into rings)
- ⅓ cup (66 g) brown sugar
- ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) ketchup
- 2 tbsps (30 ml / 1 fl oz) rice vinegar
- 2 tbsps (30 ml / 1 fl oz) apple cider vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 tbsp (15 ml / 0.5 fl oz) sesame oil
- 1 tbsp (15 ml / 0.5 fl oz) olive oil
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Marinade Creation: Whisk soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and cracked black pepper in a bowl until seamlessly blended, creating a complex flavor profile.
- Marinating Process: Thoroughly coat chicken pieces in the prepared marinade, ensuring complete coverage. Seal in an airtight container and refrigerate for at least two hours, allowing flavors to deeply penetrate the meat.
- Grill Preparation: Preheat grill to medium-high heat, establishing an optimal cooking surface for achieving caramelized exterior and juicy interior.
- Grilling Technique: Extract chicken from marinade, reserving a small amount for basting. Position chicken on hot grill, cooking 5-7 minutes per side. Periodically brush with reserved marinade to intensify flavor and maintain moisture.
- Temperature and Doneness: Verify chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature. Look for golden-brown grill marks and a tempting aroma indicating perfect cooking.
- Pineapple Grilling: Lightly oil pineapple slices and grill 2-3 minutes per side, developing beautiful caramelized edges and subtle char lines.
- Serving Presentation: Remove chicken and pineapple from grill, letting meat rest briefly. Arrange on serving platter, showcasing the harmonious blend of sweet, smoky, and savory Hawaiian-inspired flavors.
Notes
- Marinate Smartly: Allow chicken to soak in marinade for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to ensure deep flavor penetration and tenderize the meat.
- Monitor Grill Temperature: Maintain medium-high heat to achieve perfect caramelization without burning the chicken or pineapple, creating beautiful grill marks and preserving juiciness.
- Check Doneness Precisely: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F internally, preventing undercooked meat while maintaining tender texture.
- Prevent Cross-Contamination: Always use separate utensils and cutting boards for raw chicken, and discard remaining marinade that has touched raw meat to ensure food safety.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg