Grilled Aloha Chicken and Pineapple is a vibrant, tropical dish that pairs succulent marinated chicken with sweet and tangy grilled pineapple. The marinade, rich with ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, and lemon juice, imbues the chicken with a deliciously sweet-savory flavor, while the grilled pineapple adds a juicy, caramelized complement.
Ingredients
- For the Chicken and Marinade:
- 1 ½ pounds thin-sliced boneless skinless chicken breasts (4 breasts)
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup reduced sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- For the Pineapple:
- 1 fresh pineapple, cleaned, cored, and sliced into about 8 one-inch wide long spears
- Optional Garnish:
- Thinly sliced green onions
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken:
- In a large zip-top plastic bag, combine the chicken breasts, ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, olive oil, lemon juice, ground ginger, salt, and pepper.
- Seal the bag and squish everything around to ensure the chicken is evenly coated with the marinade.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight for better flavor infusion.
- Prepare the Grill:
- Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill the Chicken and Pineapple:
- Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing excess marinade to drip off.
- Place the chicken on the preheated grill.
- Dunk the pineapple spears into the marinade bag to coat them lightly, then place them on the grill.
- Discard the bag with the remaining marinade.
- Cook the Chicken:
- Grill the chicken for about 5 minutes on the first side with the grill lid closed.
- Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 4 to 5 minutes on the second side with the lid closed, or until the chicken is cooked through and has reached the desired level of doneness.
- Cook the Pineapple:
- Rotate the pineapple spears every 2 to 3 minutes, ensuring that all sides make contact with the grill grates to caramelize evenly and ensure food safety.
- Serve:
- Optionally, garnish the grilled chicken with thinly sliced green onions for a fresh burst of flavor.
- Serve the grilled chicken and pineapple immediately.
Description and Tips
Tips:
- Marination Time: For the best flavor, marinate the chicken overnight. This allows the flavors to fully penetrate the meat.
- Grill Preparation: Ensure your grill grates are well-oiled to prevent the chicken and pineapple from sticking.
- Cooking Pineapple: Rotate the pineapple regularly to caramelize it evenly and enhance its natural sweetness.
- Safety: Make sure to discard any leftover marinade that has been in contact with raw chicken to avoid cross-contamination.
- Serving Suggestion: Pair this dish with a fresh green salad or steamed rice to complete the meal.
This dish is perfect for summer cookouts or whenever you crave a taste of the tropics!
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