Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Burger (Printable)
Tropical twist featuring grilled chicken, sweet pineapple, and teriyaki sauce in a soft bun.
# What You 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 - ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Teriyaki Sauce
07 - ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
08 - ¼ 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 (gluten-free if needed)
14 - 4 lettuce leaves
15 - 4 slices red onion
16 - 4 slices tomato
17 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (optional)
# How To Make It:
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, up to 2 hours for enhanced flavor.
02 - Combine soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, and rice vinegar in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Gradually whisk in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens noticeably. Remove from heat and set aside.
03 - Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high temperature, approximately 375-400°F.
04 - Cook marinated chicken breasts 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 distinct grill marks.
05 - Lightly toast burger buns on the grill cut-side down for approximately 30-60 seconds until golden brown.
06 - Spread mayonnaise on the 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 and serve promptly.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The homemade teriyaki sauce comes together in minutes and tastes infinitely better than anything from a bottle
- Something magical happens when that sweet grilled pineapple meets the savory chicken
02 -
- Letting the chicken rest for a few minutes after grilling keeps all those juices inside instead of running onto your plate
- The teriyaki sauce thickens quickly once you add the cornstarch, so have your whisk ready and don't walk away
03 -
- Pat the pineapple rings dry with paper towels before grilling to get those gorgeous caramelized marks instead of just steaming
- Let the teriyaki sauce cool completely before storing, or it will continue to thicken into something more like jelly