This BBQ chicken and pineapple burger is a winner winner easy weeknight chicken dinner. There’s just something so perfect about the way the sweet pineapple pairs with the salty and tangy sauce on the grilled chicken. The family happens to love these burgers. If you have never put pineapple on your grill before, we highly recommend that you give it a try. Grilling fruit actually makes it even sweeter, but it’s like a delicious smokey sweet and well, you just have to try it to know what we mean.
When we say these chicken burgers are a cinch to make, we really mean it. For this recipe, we use our homemade BBQ sauce but you can certainly buy your favorite sauce if that’s more your jam. We won’t be offended. However, if you do have time and the energy to put forth, make our homemade recipe. It’s really really good and lasts a long time in the fridge so you can use it for other yummy stuff too.
tAnyway, to get these guys on the table for your hungry family, friends or just for yourself (because you are worth it), start by getting the thin chicken breasts in the BBQ marinade for at least an hour. We love to marinate things in large freezer bags. You can squish it all around to make sure whatever you are marinating gets well covered and the clean up is a piece of cake!
After you get the chicken back into the fridge to marinate, slice up the pineapple. Some people actually happen to like the core (might be me but I’m not saying), however, for this recipe we took the core out because it’s just easier to eat that way. You can use a round cookie cutter or get creative and use a fun one like we did! Who doesn’t love a cute star cut out?
Once you are ready to grill, cook the chicken over medium heat for about 4 minutes on each side. Add the cheese for those who love it. Place the pineapple on the upper rack of the grill. If your grill doesn’t have an upper rack, just cook it in a low heat area away from the direct flame.
Assemble the burgers by spreading the BBQ sauce on both sides of the buns, place the chicken and pineapple inside and top with some more BBQ sauce if you prefer. Serve with your favorite side and enjoy!
- 4 thin cut chicken breasts
- 1 fresh pineapple
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
- 4 whole wheat hamburger buns
- ½ C BBQ sauce + more for serving - either store bought or homemade
- ½ C ketchup (Trader Joe's Organic or other organic ketchup)
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tbsp cider vinegar
- 3-4 dashes hot pepper sauce (we use smokey chipotle pepper sauce) - adjust based on the amount of heat you prefer
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ¼ tsp Coleman dry mustard powder
- 1 tsp liquid smoke
- 1 Tbsp molasses
- ¼ tsp salt
- In a medium bowl whisk together all ingredients for the BBQ sauce. Set aside.
- Clean, rinse and pat chicken dry. Place chicken in a gallon ziploc bag. Add bbq sauce and mix until chicken is coated. Marinade in the fridge for at least one hour.
- Cut all outer skin off of pineapple. Cut into ½ inch slices. Use a small, round cookie cutter (or star!) to press the inner core out from each pineapple slice.
- Heat bbq to high heat. Cook chicken approx 4 mins per side until cooked through, adding cheese the last 2 minutes. . Place sliced pineapple on upper rack, flip halfway through. Heat buns on the bbq if desired.
- Assemble burgers - spread bbq sauce on each side of bun, place chicken on bottom bun, top with a slice of grilled pineapple and add top bun.