This Grilled Hawaiian Chicken is so tender and delicious and it’s covered in the best sticky-sweet Pineapple Barbecue Sauce! We make this chicken almost every week during the summer and it never disappoints!
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Recently, we celebrated my mom’s 60th birthday by having a luau-themed murder mystery dinner. I picked up a murder mystery kit at a local games store and it included everything that was needed for the game: the premise, character descriptions with costume ideas, scripts, evidence cards, etc. It was SO much fun!
My family all dressed up as their characters for the murder mystery dinner.
Cook’s Note – Grilled Hawaiian Chicken with Pineapple Sauce:
- Sometimes I mix things up and make this recipe using 2 whole split chickens, or 8 bone-in skin-on chicken breasts. Just note that the split chicken and breasts will the about 25-30 minutes per side to come up to temperature.
- I’ve also used a combination of pineapple and guava juice for the glaze and it came out perfectly!
- Sometimes I like to make double or triple the sauce recipe to use for later. The sauce will freeze up to 3 months, or chill in the refrigerator, in an air-tight container, for up to 2 weeks. I use this sauce on kabobs or on my BBQ Chicken Pizza that I add pineapple to as well, YUM!
- If you’re going to grill this chicken on a smoker like a Traeger, then I suggest using mesquite or cherry wood chips.
Cook’s Tools – Grilled Hawaiian Chicken with Pineapple Sauce:
ONE YEAR AGO: Slow Cooker Baked Ziti
TWO YEARS AGO: Garden Veggie Guacamole
THREE YEARS AGO: Classic Guacamole
My Little guy chowing down on the chicken. He is literally licking the Pineapple Barbecue Sauce bowl clean!
Grilled Hawaiian Chicken with Pineapple Barbecue Sauce
Ingredients
CHICKEN & HAWAIIAN CHICKEN MARINADE:
- 6 pounds chicken thighs, bone in, skin on - about 12 thighs
- 2 cups soy sauce
- 8 cups water
- 1 13.5 oz can coconut milk
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 6 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 Tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon sesame seed oil
PINEAPPLE BARBECUE SAUCE:
- 2 1/4 cup pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
- 2 Tablespoons freshly grated ginger
- 2 teaspoons Sriracha chili sauce
GARNISH:
- 3 green onions, green and white parts sliced thin
Instructions
MARINATE THE CHICKEN:
- In an extra-large bowl whisk together the soy sauce, water, coconut milk, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and sesame seed oil.
- Add the chicken thighs and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours.
MAKE THE PINEAPPLE BARBECUE SAUCE:
- In a large saucepan whisk together the pineapple juice, brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and Sriracha. Heat on high heat until boiling. Then, reduce to medium heat and simmer until the sauce is reduced and it has thickened (there should be about 1 cup of sauce), about 25 minutes.
- Transfer the sauce to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap (the sauce will thicken even more as it cools).
GRILL THE CHICKEN:
- 15 minutes before you’re ready to grill, turn all of the burners to high and cover the grill. Scrape the grill and lightly oil the grates with canola oil. Add the chicken, skin side up, cover the grill, and reduce the heat to medium-low (or around 325 degrees F). Cook until the meat registers 120 degrees F, about 15-20 minutes.
- Flip the chicken so now the skin side is down. Cover and grill until the meat registers 170-175 degrees F, about another 15-20 minutes.
- Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and brush with half of the glaze. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve with extra pineapple barbecue sauce.
Nutrition
This Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Recipe first appeared on FFF on August 23, 2011. I recently updated the recipe and pictures for this post.
Artsy Aut says
These seem like two dishes I should have down! Im especially excited to try that rice!!
Jillian says
Autumn, the rice is my new favorite side dish…it’s a must try!
Hollie - TheSevenYearCottage.com says
Looks and sounds amazing!
Jane Saunders says
That sounds like a fantastic theme for a special celebration – who says kids have all the fun. The chicken looks amazing too.
Bintu Hardy says
I totally need to borrow your idea of the murder mystery dinner and Hawaiian Chicken for my OH’s next birthday. Your mum is soooo lucky.
Denisse | Le Petit Eats says
I don’t really eat poultry anymore, but this pineapple bbq sauce sounds like something I need to try!
Kristine says
This chicken sounds delicious! I love cooking chicken thighs, they’re so yummy! Pinning this one to try!
Jillian says
I agree, chicken thighs are nice and juicy.
Pam Greer says
That murder mystery party sounds like such fun!! My family would love that! They would also love this chicken!
Britt | Sweet Tea and Thyme says
There’s a Hawaiian party coming up and this NEEDS to be on the menu!
Jillian says
Yes! I hope you enjoy!
Jenni LeBaron says
I love all of these flavors, especially the pineapple and coconut. This recipe looks like an excellent way to dress chicken up for the summer!
georgie says
this looks absolutely delicious! and so so summery! i also love your party idea, looked like so much fun!
Jillian says
Thank you! And the party was so much fun!
Dayna says
YUM! These are the best! 🙂