Description
Juicy grilled Hawaiian BBQ chicken thighs with a sweet pineapple glaze—perfect for backyard BBQs or tropical weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Marinade & Chicken:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- ¾ cup pineapple juice (100% juice, no sugar added)
- ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for glaze)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
For Serving & Garnish:
- 1 fresh pineapple, sliced into rings or spears
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- Fresh cilantro (optional)
Optional Sides:
- Steamed jasmine rice or coconut rice
- Hawaiian macaroni salad
- Grilled corn or tropical slaw
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk pineapple juice, soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. Reserve ½ cup. Marinate chicken in remaining mixture for at least 2 hours (or overnight).
- Make the Glaze: Boil reserved marinade. Stir in cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp cold water). Simmer until thickened.
- Preheat Grill: Heat to medium-high (400°F). Oil grates. Pat chicken dry.
- Grill Chicken: Grill thighs 4–5 min per side, basting with glaze. Internal temp should reach 165°F. Grill pineapple 1–2 min per side.
- Rest & Garnish: Let chicken rest 5 min. Garnish with pineapple, green onions, sesame seeds, and cilantro. Serve hot.
Notes
- Substitute coconut aminos for soy sauce for a gluten-free version.
- Use breasts or drumsticks with adjusted cooking times.
- Works well with mango or orange juice if pineapple isn’t preferred.
- Store leftovers up to 4 days in fridge or 2 months frozen.
- Reheat gently with glaze to preserve juiciness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 thigh with pineapple
- Calories: 385 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 120mg