Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Burger (Printable)
Tropical chicken sandwich with pineapple and teriyaki, perfect for summer grilling and easy weeknight dinners.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 5 ounces each)
02 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
03 - 2 tablespoons pineapple juice
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
05 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Teriyaki Sauce
07 - 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
08 - 1/4 cup pineapple juice
09 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
10 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
11 - 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon 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 tablespoons mayonnaise (optional)
# How to Prepare:
01 - Whisk together soy sauce, pineapple juice, olive oil, garlic powder, and black pepper in a bowl. Add chicken breasts and coat thoroughly. Marinate for at least 15 minutes, up to 2 hours for deeper flavor penetration.
02 - Combine soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, and rice vinegar in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook for 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens to desired consistency. Remove from heat and set aside.
03 - Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high temperature, approximately 375-400°F.
04 - Remove chicken from marinade and grill for 5-6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 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 for 30-60 seconds until golden and warm.
06 - Spread mayonnaise on bottom bun if desired. Layer with lettuce leaf, grilled chicken breast, drizzle of teriyaki sauce, grilled pineapple ring, tomato slice, and red onion. Complete with top bun.
07 - Serve immediately while chicken and pineapple are still warm. Pair with sweet potato fries or crisp salad if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The homemade teriyaki sauce comes together in minutes and tastes infinitely better than anything you can buy at the store
- Something magical happens when grilled pineapple meets that savory chicken, its the kind of sweet and salty combo that makes your brain do a happy dance
02 -
- The cornstarch slurry must be cold when you add it to the hot sauce or it will clump up, learn from my mistakes and mix it right before you need it
- Do not skip toasting the buns, that slight crunch keeps the bottom bun from turning into a soggy mess from all those delicious juices
03 -
- Pound your chicken breasts to even thickness before marinating, this one step changed everything about how evenly they cook and how juicy they stay
- Let your chicken rest for 5 minutes after grilling before you build the burgers, those juices need time to redistribute or they will all run out onto your plate