Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Recipe: easy and delicious recipe

Summer is finally here, and with the 4th of July right around the corner, it’s time to fire up those grills and create something special for your family celebration. This Hawaiian BBQ chicken recipe offers the perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors that will transport your taste buds straight to the tropical islands without leaving your backyard.

The Perfect Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Recipe: Why It Works

This isn’t your average barbecue chicken. The magic lies in the marinade – a mouthwatering combination of tangy BBQ sauce, sweet pineapple juice, umami-rich soy sauce, aromatic ginger, garlic, and nutty sesame oil. The result? Tender, juicy chicken with complex flavors that capture the essence of Hawaiian cuisine.

Served alongside fluffy white rice and grilled pineapple slices that caramelize beautifully on the grill, this dish brings a taste of the tropics to your summer table. The charred edges of the pineapple complement the savory-sweet chicken perfectly, while a sprinkle of green onions adds a fresh, peppery finish.

Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Recipe: Ingredients You’ll Need

What makes this Hawaiian BBQ chicken recipe so special? First, the marinade does double duty – it infuses the chicken with flavor while also serving as a basting sauce during the final minutes of grilling. Second, the combination of chicken breasts and boneless, skinless thighs ensures you get the best of both worlds – lean white meat and richer dark meat that stays incredibly moist on the grill.

Main Ingredients	Amount	Notes
Barbecue sauce	1 cup	Any favorite brand works
Pineapple slices	1 can (20 oz)	In juice, not heavy syrup
Low-sodium soy sauce	¼ cup	Reduces saltiness
Sesame oil	2 teaspoons	Adds nutty flavor
Minced garlic	2 teaspoons	Fresh is best
Fresh ginger	1 heaping teaspoon	Minced or grated
Chicken breasts and thighs	2 pounds	Boneless, skinless
Vegetable oil	2 tablespoons	For grilling pineapple
Green onions	4	Thinly sliced for garnish
Long-grain white rice	3 cups cooked	For serving

The pineapple in this Hawaiian BBQ chicken recipe isn’t just a garnish; it’s a key ingredient. The natural enzymes in pineapple juice help tenderize the chicken, while the fruit itself transforms into a sweet, caramelized treat when grilled alongside the meat.

Cooking Tips for the Best Hawaiian BBQ Chicken

The Marinade

The Hawaiian BBQ marinade is the star of this show. It combines classic BBQ sauce with pineapple juice, low-sodium soy sauce, fresh ginger, minced garlic, and sesame oil. This blend creates a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors with a hint of Asian influence.

Choosing Your Chicken

While this recipe calls for boneless, skinless chicken breasts and thighs, feel free to use your preferred cuts. Bone-in pieces work well too, though you’ll need to adjust the cooking time accordingly. Whatever you choose, aim for about 2 pounds total for this Hawaiian BBQ chicken recipe.

Pineapple Pointers

Here’s an important tip: use canned pineapple slices packed in juice, not heavy syrup. The juice becomes part of your marinade, and heavy syrup would make it overly sweet. Reserve half a cup of the juice for the marinade and save the slices for grilling.

Pro Tip for Ginger

Keep fresh ginger in your freezer! It lasts longer and is actually easier to grate when frozen. A microplane makes quick work of turning frozen ginger into the fine mince you need for this Hawaiian BBQ chicken recipe.

Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Recipe: Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Marinade

1. Drain the canned pineapple, reserving the juice. Set the pineapple slices aside for grilling later.
2. In a small bowl, combine the barbecue sauce, ½ cup of the reserved pineapple juice, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Whisk until well blended.
3. Measure out and set aside ½ cup of this marinade for basting the chicken during grilling.
4. Pour the remaining marinade over the chicken in a large zip-top plastic bag. Seal the bag, removing as much air as possible, and massage to coat the chicken evenly.
5. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 8 hours for more intense flavor.

Cooking Times and Temperatures

Cooking Element	Temperature	Time	Done When
Chicken	Medium-high (375-400°F)	5-6 minutes per side	Internal temp reaches 165°F
Pineapple slices	Medium-high (375-400°F)	2 minutes per side	Slightly softened with grill marks
Total active prep time	–	10 minutes	–
Marinating time	Refrigerated	2-8 hours	–
Total cooking time	–	12 minutes	–

Grill the Chicken and Pineapple

1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 375-400°F).
2. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off. Discard the used marinade.
3. Grill the chicken for about 5-6 minutes per side, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.
4. During the last 5 minutes of cooking, brush the chicken with the reserved ½ cup of marinade (the portion you didn’t use for marinating). Remember: never baste with marinade that has been in contact with raw chicken.
5. Continue cooking until the chicken reaches 165°F internally and has nice grill marks.
6. While the chicken is finishing, brush both sides of the pineapple slices with vegetable oil and place them on the grill.
7. Grill the pineapple for about 2 minutes per side, or until slightly softened with beautiful grill marks.

Serve and Enjoy

1. Transfer the grilled chicken to a serving platter and garnish with thinly sliced green onions.
2. Arrange the grilled pineapple slices alongside or on top of the chicken.
3. Serve over fluffy white rice, spooning any remaining reserved marinade over the top if desired.

Time-Saving Tips for This Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Recipe

• Total active prep time is just 10 minutes, plus 2-8 hours of hands-off marinating time.
• Actual cooking time is only about 12 minutes on the grill.
• You can prepare the marinade a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator.
• Marinate the chicken overnight for an even quicker dinner the next day.

Leftovers and Storage

This Hawaiian BBQ chicken is just as delicious the next day. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking and consume within 3-4 days.

Leftover chicken is versatile: enjoy it cold in a salad, reheated and served over rice, or simply on its own. The flavors actually continue to develop overnight, making for a fantastic lunch the following day.

The Perfect Summer Meal

What makes this Hawaiian BBQ chicken recipe ideal for your 4th of July celebration? It’s easy to prepare ahead of time, freeing you up to enjoy the festivities with your family. The tropical flavors offer a refreshing change from standard barbecue fare, and the colorful presentation makes for an impressive addition to any summer table.

Plus, it’s a crowd-pleaser that appeals to both adventurous eaters and those with more traditional tastes. The familiar BBQ foundation with a tropical twist means everyone finds something to love in this dish.

So this summer, when you’re planning your holiday cookout, give your family and friends a taste of the islands with this Hawaiian BBQ chicken recipe. It’s a perfect blend of classic American barbecue and tropical Hawaiian flavors – a culinary firework display worthy of your 4th of July celebration!

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