Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Burger (Printable)

Tropical chicken burger with pineapple and teriyaki sauce for island-inspired flavor.

# 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
14 - 4 lettuce leaves
15 - 4 slices red onion
16 - 4 slices tomato
17 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (optional)

# Steps:

01 - Whisk together soy sauce, pineapple juice, olive oil, garlic powder, and black pepper in a bowl. Add chicken breasts and coat thoroughly. Marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor penetration.
02 - Combine soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, and rice vinegar in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Add cornstarch slurry while stirring constantly. Cook for 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens to coating consistency. Remove from heat.
03 - Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high temperature, approximately 375-400°F.
04 - Remove chicken from marinade and discard excess liquid. Grill chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear. During final 2 minutes of cooking, place pineapple rings on grill until lightly caramelized with distinct char marks.
05 - Place burger buns cut-side down on grill for 30-60 seconds until golden brown and lightly crisp.
06 - Spread mayonnaise on bottom bun if desired. Layer lettuce leaf, grilled chicken breast, and drizzle with 1-2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce. Add grilled pineapple ring, tomato slice, and red onion. Top with remaining bun half.
07 - Serve immediately while chicken is warm and bun retains slight crunch from toasting.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The homemade teriyaki sauce comes together in minutes and tastes infinitely better than bottled versions
  • Grilling the pineapple brings out natural sugars that perfectly balance the savory chicken
  • These burgers bring restaurant-quality island flavors to your backyard without any complicated techniques
02 -
  • Letting the chicken rest for 5 minutes after grilling keeps it incredibly juicy
  • The teriyaki sauce thickens as it cools so make it slightly thinner than you think you need
  • Don't skip toasting the buns because they'll soak up all those delicious juices without falling apart
03 -
  • Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking—165°F is the sweet spot for juicy chicken
  • If the flames flare up from the sugar in the marinade, move the chicken to a cooler part of the grill temporarily

Go Back