Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Burger (Printable Version)

Tropical twist on classic chicken burger with grilled chicken, pineapple, and teriyaki sauce for island-inspired flavor.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

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 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper

→ Teriyaki Sauce

07 - 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
08 - 1/4 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 red onion slices
16 - 4 tomato slices
17 - 2 tbsp mayonnaise (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - Whisk together soy sauce, pineapple juice, olive oil, garlic powder, and black pepper in a bowl. Add chicken breasts, turning to coat evenly. Let 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, stirring until sugar dissolves. Add cornstarch slurry while stirring constantly. Cook for 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens nicely. Remove from heat and set aside.
03 - Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high temperature, about 375-400°F.
04 - Remove chicken from marinade and place on preheated grill. Cook for 5-6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear. During the final 2 minutes of cooking, add pineapple rings to the grill and cook until lightly charred and caramelized.
05 - Place burger buns cut-side down on the grill for 30-60 seconds until lightly toasted and golden brown.
06 - Spread mayonnaise on bottom bun if desired. Layer lettuce leaf, grilled chicken breast, and drizzle generously with teriyaki sauce. Add grilled pineapple ring, tomato slice, and red onion. Cap with top bun and serve immediately while warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sweet and salty combo hits every single craving at once
  • Ready in 40 minutes but tastes like you spent all day cooking
  • Grilling everything together makes cleanup surprisingly easy
02 -
  • Dont skip marinating the chicken even if you are rushed
  • The teriyaki sauce thickens fast so watch it like a hawk
  • Let chicken rest for a couple minutes after grilling
03 -
  • Double the teriyaki sauce and keep some in the fridge
  • Use a meat thermometer instead of cutting into the chicken

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