Juicy Honey Pineapple Grilled Chicken Recipe in 3 Easy Steps

There’s something magical about the smell of chicken sizzling on the grill as the sun sets on a summer evening. My Honey Pineapple Grilled Chicken recipe became our family’s go-to after I accidentally created it during a backyard BBQ years ago – I’d run out of my usual marinade ingredients and threw together what I had left: pineapple juice, honey, and soy sauce. The result? Pure magic! The sweet honey caramelizes beautifully while the pineapple adds this bright, tropical tang that balances perfectly with the savory soy sauce. What I love most is how ridiculously easy it is – just mix, marinate, and grill. It’s become our summer staple, the dish everyone requests at cookouts, and I’m thrilled to share it with you!

Why You’ll Love This Honey Pineapple Grilled Chicken

This recipe is a total game-changer for weeknight dinners and summer cookouts alike. Here’s why it’s become my go-to:

• Effortless elegance:</strong 10 10 minutes of prep, then let the marinade do all the work while you relax
• Flavor fireworks: That perfect sweet-savory combo makes every bite exciting
• Crowd-pleaser magic: Kids go crazy for the sweetness while adults appreciate the sophisticated balance
• Summer vibes: The tropical pineapple aroma will transport you to vacation mode instantly
• Healthy but indulgent: All the flavor of restaurant chicken without the guilt

Trust me, once you try this, you’ll be making it all season long!

Ingredients for Honey Pineapple Grilled Chicken

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this tropical-flavored chicken sing – I’ve grouped them so you can prep efficiently:

• For the marinade: 1 cup pineapple juice (fresh is best, but bottled works in a pinch), 1/4 cup honey (I prefer wildflower for its floral notes), 2 tablespoons soy sauce (regular or low-sodium), 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder (or 2 cloves fresh minced), 1/2 teaspoon each black pepper and salt
• For grilling: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs total), 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks (cut into 1-inch pieces – save the juice!)

That’s it! Just 8 simple ingredients that transform ordinary chicken into something extraordinary. I always double the marinade ingredients when hosting – it makes amazing grilled veggies too!

Equipment You’ll Need

Don’t worry – you won’t need any fancy gadgets for this recipe! Just grab:

• A reliable grill (gas or charcoal both work great)
• Tongs (trust me, you’ll want these for flipping)
• A medium mixing bowl
• A resealable plastic bag (or shallow dish if you prefer)

That’s seriously all you need to make magic happen. Now let’s get grilling!

How to Make Honey Pineapple Grilled Chicken

This recipe couldn’t be simpler – just three easy steps between you and the most flavorful grilled chicken of your life! I’ve made this dozens of times, and these techniques guarantee perfect results every time.

Step 1: Prepare the Marinade

First, grab that mixing bowl and whisk together all the ingredients until ingredients until the honey dissolves completely. I like to warm the honey slightly if it’s thick – just 10 seconds in the microwave makes it blend beautifully. The key here is tasting as you go – adjust the salt or honey if needed. Pro tip: reserve 1/4 cup of marinade before adding the chicken to use as a glaze later!

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken

Place your chicken breasts in a resealable bag and pour the marinade over them. Squeeze out all the air before sealing – this helps every inch get coated. Now the hardest part – waiting! At least 1 hour in the fridge does wonders, but if you’ve got time, 4 hours makes the flavors really penetrate. Flip the bag occasionally if you remember – but no stress if you forget!

Step 3: Grill the Chicken

Fire up your grill to medium-high (about 375°F). Remove the chicken from the marinade (discard used marinade – food safety first!) and grill for 6-7 minutes per side. During the last 2 minutes, add those pineapple chunks right on the grill grates – they’ll get gorgeous caramelized edges. Brush with your reserved marinade during the last minute of cooking. The chicken’s done when it hits 165°F internally – don’t overcook or you’ll lose that juicy tenderness!

Tips for Perfect Honey Pineapple Grilled Chicken

After making this recipe more times than I can count, I’ve picked up some tricks that take it from good to “Oh my goodness, what IS this?!” levels of delicious:

• Fresh pineapple matters: The juice has natural enzymes that tenderize the chicken beautifully – canned just doesn’t compare!
• Give it space: Don’t crowd your grill – leave room between pieces so they cook evenly and get those gorgeous grill marks
• Baste like you mean it: That reserved marinade brushed on at the end creates the most incredible sticky-sweet glaze
• Watch the flames: Honey burns easily – if flare-ups happen, move chicken to a cooler part of the grill

Follow these simple tips, and you’ll be the grill master of every summer cookout!

Serving Suggestions

This honey pineapple grilled chicken shines brightest when paired with sides that complement its tropical vibes! My absolute favorite combo? Fluffy coconut rice to soak up all those glorious juices, plus some charred zucchini or asparagus for crunch. For potlucks, I’ll often throw together a simple mango-avocado salad – the creamy texture plays off the chicken’s caramelized edges perfectly. And don’t forget the grilled pineapple chunks right off the grill – they’re like nature’s candy! Whatever you choose, keep it fresh and light to let that amazing marinade flavor take center stage.

Storage and Reheating

Leftovers? No problem! Store any extra honey pineapple grilled chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days – though honestly, mine never lasts that long! When reheating, I swear by the skillet method: just a quick warm-up over medium heat keeps the chicken juicy. The oven works too (300°F for about 10 minutes), but watch that honey glaze – it can get too dark if you’re not careful. Pro tip: those grilled pineapple chunks taste amazing cold straight from the fridge!

Pineapple Pineapple Grilled Chicken FAQs

Nutritional Information

Here’s the scoop on what you’re getting with each juicy serving (nutrition varies slightly based on your exact ingredients): Each plated-up portion clocks in at about 280 calories, with 6g of good fats, a solid 31g of protein to keep you satisfied, and just 18g of natural sugars from that magical honey-pineapple combo. It’s the kind of meal that makes you feel like you’re treating yourself while still keeping things balanced – my favorite kind of dinner math!

Final Thoughts

There you have it – my foolproof recipe for the most delicious honey pineapple grilled chicken you’ll ever taste! I can’t wait for you to try it and experience that first magical bite. When you do, come back and tell me all about it – did your family go crazy for it like mine does? Did you add any fun twists? This recipe’s brought so much joy to our table, and I hope it does the same for yours. Happy grilling!

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