Char-Grilled Pineapple Chicken with Tiki-Spiced Glaze
Juicy chicken thighs marinated in tropical spices and grilled with fresh pineapple slices for a smoky-sweet Tiki-inspired dish. This caribbean-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, soy sauce, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup, sliced into 1/2-inch rings fresh pineapple
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp, for garnish chopped fresh cilantro
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground allspice, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, and 2 tbsp olive oil to make the marinade. Whisk until sugar dissolves.
- Step 2: Add 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs to the marinade, turning to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably 4 hours.
- Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 375°F). Thread 1 cup pineapple slices onto skewers or place directly on grill.
- Step 4: Grill the marinated chicken thighs for 5-6 minutes per side, until internal temperature reaches 165°F and edges are slightly charred.
- Step 5: At the same time, grill pineapple slices for 2-3 minutes per side until caramelized and grill marks appear.
- Step 6: Remove chicken and pineapple from grill. Slice chicken if desired and serve topped with grilled pineapple and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro for garnish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Char-Grilled Pineapple Chicken with Tiki-Spiced Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Char-Grilled Pineapple Chicken with Tiki-Spiced Glaze?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep soy sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Char-Grilled Pineapple Chicken with Tiki-Spiced Glaze?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Char-Grilled Pineapple Chicken with Tiki-Spiced Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Char-Grilled Pineapple Chicken with Tiki-Spiced Glaze?
Caribbean chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
