Grilled Pineapple BBQ Chicken with Goat Cheese

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Who says the grill belongs to the guys? Girls can grill too! And this summer, we’re claiming our spot by the flames to make a recipe that is equal parts effortless and impressive. If you’re looking for a delicious and easy grilled chicken recipe that’s flavorful and a bit unexpected, this pineapple BBQ Chicken is perfect for your next cookout.

The chicken is marinated in a sweet and smoky pineapple barbecue marinade that caramelize beautifully on the grill. Once it’s cooked, the chicken is plated and finished with fresh pineapple chunks and creamy goat cheese crumbles. You can serve it with a side of white rice, a side salad, or grilled vegetables. 

The combination is everything you want for a summer dinner: smoky, sweet, tangy and slightly creamy with the goat cheese. It’s perfect for a patio party, an easy weeknight dinner or whenever you’re craving something out of the box. 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s restaurant-worthy for minimal effort. Sometimes the best dishes turn out to be the simplest ones! The marinade seems to do most of the heavy lifting, adding a bright, tangy flavor and beautiful glaze. And when plated with fresh pineapple and goat cheese, it’s a show-stopper!
• Less cleanup! Grilling is one of the easiest ways to cook meat and you won’t have to spend a lot of time cleaning up baking sheets or skillets.
• It’s bold, fresh, and colorful! As the temperature starts climbing, refreshing, savory dishes always hit the spot. The blend of savory-sweet chicken and juicy pineapple is the perfect pairing to bring bright color and flavor to your table.

How to Make Pineapple BBQ Chicken, Step by Step

Step 1. Marinate chicken in pineapple BBQ Marinade. Chill for at least 2 hours.

The most important part of this recipe is the marinade! This pineapple barbecue marinade tastes sweet, tangy, and smoky. It is going to add so much flavor to the chicken, and the acid in the pineapple juice will help to tenderize the meat, giving it a delicious texture and crisp caramelization on the outside as it cooks.

To make the marinade, add all the marinade ingredients to high powered blender or food processor. Blend the mixture until smooth. Pour the marinade into a large plastic bag. 

Slice the chicken breasts into a butterfly cut. Lay the chicken breast on your cutting board and slice it horizontally in the middle of the breast. Fold the chicken breasts open, and they should resemble a butterfly. You can slice the chicken breast all the way through to make two pieces of meat. 

The thinner chicken pieces will be easier to grill, and they will also cook more evenly, whereas a thick chicken breast could really char up on the outside before cooking all the way through. 

Place the chicken pieces in the bag with the marinade and marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight. As the chicken marinates, it will absorb the flavor, and the acids in the sauce will tenderize the chicken.

Step 2. Grill marinated chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF.

Preheat the grill and oil the grates. To oil the grates, take a clean rag, dip it in some oil, and use tongs to rub the oiled rag over the grates. This will prevent the chicken from sticking to the grates. 

Once the grill preheats for about 10 minutes or has reached 400ºF, use tongs to place the marinated chicken on the grill and grill on each side for 5-7 minutes. Before flipping the chicken to the other side, ensure you have a nice, defined char mark and avoid flipping it over too many times.

Remove the chicken from the grill once it reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF. 

Step 3. Plate and top with pineapple chunks and goat cheese crumbles.

Plate the hot grilled chicken on a serving platter and garnish with chunks of pineapple and crumbles of soft, creamy goat cheese.  The savory, smoky chicken with the juicy pineapple slices and creamy goat cheese is a surprisingly delicious pairing.

Tips for Grilling Chicken

If you’re new to grilling or want to refresh your skills, here are some things to keep in mind when you’re grilling the chicken:

• Preheat and oil your grill. Before you start cooking the chicken, preheat the grill for 10–15 minutes over medium heat and lightly oil the grates. Dip a clean dish rag in some vegetable oil and use tongs to spread the oil on the surface of the grill grates. This helps prevent sticking and creates beautiful grill marks.
• Let the chicken marinate for at least 2 hours. The longer the chicken marinates, the more flavorful and tender it will be. If you have time to make it the night before, overnight is even better!
• Resist the urge to flip too often. Place the chicken on the grill and let it cook undisturbed until it naturally releases from the grates. It should take 5-7 minutes to cook each side, but cook time could vary depending on how hot your grill is and if you have hot spots. Flipping just once or twice helps develop a caramelized crust.
• Your grill may have hot spots. These are areas of the grill that get hotter than others. If your grill has hot spots, you may need to monitor the temperature more closely.
• Use a meat thermometer. The easiest way to avoid dry, charred chicken or undercooked chicken is to check the thickest part with an instant-read thermometer. Remove the chicken from the grill once it reaches 165°F.
• Let the chicken rest before slicing. After grilling, let the chicken rest for 5–10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping every bite moist and flavorful.

How to Store Pineapple BBQ Chicken Leftovers

Store any leftover pineapple barbecue chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It’s delicious sliced over salads, a bed of rice, or in a wrap for lunches on the go.

Freezing Marinated Chicken 

After the chicken has marinated for at least 2 hours, place the chicken and marinade in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before grilling.

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