Grilled Hawaiian BBQ Chicken
Take BBQ Chicken up a notch with Grilled Hawaiian BBQ Chicken, which is a delicious and simple combination of pineapple juice, soy sauce, BBQ sauce, fresh ginger, and garlic. This easy summer grilling recipe can be prepped ahead of time, and can be used with chicken breasts, chicken thighs, or chicken legs!
Quick Look: Grilled Hawaiian BBQ Chicken
Ready In: 55 minutes
Serves: 6
Calories: 275 Calories
Main Ingredients: chicken thighs, BBQ sauce, pineapple juice
Why You'll Love It: Dietary Info Go Here
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One of my favorite summer dinners growing up was BBQ chicken legs, cooked on the grill, served with a big slice of buttery corn on the cob (I love making corn on the cob in the Instant Pot!) and some watermelon. Is there any combo that screams "SUMMER!" more than that?! Not to me, there isn't.
While I appreciate a simple BBQ sauce on chicken, I wanted to jazz it up a little bit and create a Hawaiian-inspired BBQ chicken recipe. This Grilled Hawaiian BBQ Chicken is such a simple recipe made easy ingredients, that you will be making over and over again this summer, along with my Grilled Italian Chicken and Italian Panzanella.
Key Ingredients
- Hawaiian BBQ Sauce - this sauce is a combination of bottled BBQ sauce, pineapple juice, soy sauce, fresh ginger, and garlic powder. Very simple ingredients but so full of flavor!
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs - I love how moist chicken thighs stay but if you prefer white meat, chicken breasts or chicken tenders would also be great. My kids also love when I make chicken drumsticks and wings with this marinade.
Substitutions and Variations
Different type of Chicken - If you prefer a white meat, you can definitely use chicken breasts or chicken tenders. You will have to adjust the cooking time accordingly, but as long as you use a meat thermometer and cook the chicken to 165 degrees F, you should be okay. Also, if you want to use chicken legs or wings, go for it! Again, just adjust cooking time.
How to Make Grilled Hawaiian BBQ Chicken
As mentioned, this recipe is super easy to pull together. To start, mix the marinade ingredients together - BBQ sauce, soy sauce, pineapple juice, fresh ginger, and garlic powder. Combine the marinade with the chicken and marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 8-12 hours. I like to make this the day in advance so it has a lot of time to marinate and it saves me a lot of mealtime prep.
Once you're ready to cook, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Once the grill is preheated, add the chicken and cook for 4-6 minutes on each side, or until the chicken reads 165 degrees F. Serve and enjoy!
Expert Tips
Use a meat thermometer - this is the best way to ensure your chicken is done and not overdone. I have a few different types of meat thermometers, and this cheap one is my favorite.
Storage - store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.
Serving Suggestions - this chicken is super fun served with grilled pineapple (make extra for Grilled Pineapple Margaritas!), baked cilantro lime rice, and Sweet and Spicy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts!
Other Chicken Recipes to Consider
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, or take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #greensnchocolate.
Grilled Hawaiian BBQ Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- ½ cup pineapple juice
- 2 teaspoon soy sauce
- 2 teaspoon fresh minced ginger
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2-3 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, pineapple juice, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic powder.
- Place chicken thighs in a Tupperware container or Ziplock plastic baggie.
- Add the marinade and marinate for at least 30 minutes ideally 8 hours.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill the chicken for 4-6 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
- Enjoy!
