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Hawaiian BBQ Chicken is marinated in pineapple juice, soy sauce, BBQ sauce, and maple syrup to create a sweet and savory dish perfect for any backyard barbecue or picnic.

overhead view of hawaiian bbq chicken on a pile of pineapple and rice

This Hawaiian BBQ Chicken recipe brings together the tropical sweetness of pineapple juice with savory soy sauce and BBQ sauce.

With minimal prep, you’ll have juicy, flavorful chicken that will be the hit of your backyard barbecue. Plus, grilling some pineapple slices alongside the chicken brings a delightful touch of Hawaii to your dinner table.

Chicken Thighs vs Chicken Breasts

For the past year, I’ve been setting aside chicken breasts that are often too large and end up dry, for dark meat chicken thighs. The dark meat stays tender during cooking and is filled with so much flavor. Give it a try!

Chicken thighs are excellent in slow cooker chicken tacos, oven baked chicken thighs, and even grilled chicken thighs.

Ingredients for Hawaiian BBQ Chicken

The Hawaiian chicken marinade includes:

maple syrup and pineapple juice for sweetness
soy sauce and bbq sauce for savory flavor
olive oil which always keeps chicken tender in marinades
salt & pepper
fresh pineapple for grilling alongside the chicken
boneless skinless chicken thighs

✨ See the recipe card for full ingredients and amounts. ✨

How to Make Hawaiian BBQ Chicken

This pineapple Hawaiian chicken can be made in two simple steps, plus one bonus. Marinating and grilling. The bonus is grilled pineapple, which if you’ve never had, you’re missing out.

Marinate the chicken. Mix all the marinade ingredients together in a medium bowl. Submerge the chicken pieces in the marinade, ensuring they are evenly coated. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 1 hour, or preferably even longer, up to 8 hours, in the refrigerator.

overhead view of chicken marinating in hawaiian bbq sauce

Grill the chicken. Prepare your grill by preheating it to medium-high heat, about 400ºF. Remove the chicken from the marinade and shake off any excess. Place the chicken on the grill, and cook for about 10 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for another 8-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

For a pretty presentation, grill pineapple! This step isn’t necessary, but adds flavor and looks so pretty. Grill fresh pineapple slices alongside the chicken until lightly browned on each side.

Make it with Pork or Shrimp

Hawaiian Pork: Simply swap the chicken thighs for boneless pork chops and proceed with the recipe as directed. If you love this idea, try our Hawaiian pulled pork sliders.
Grilled Hawaiian Shrimp: Large shrimp can be marinated in the same marinade for a sweet and smoky flavor. Thread the shrimp onto skewers and grill until they are pink and caramelized.

Storage Instructions

Refrigerate the leftover Hawaiian chicken in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days.

If you plan on keeping it for a longer period, place the chicken in a freezer-safe container or sealable plastic bag and make sure to squeeze out any excess air before storing. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

tongs holding a piece of grilled pineapple chicken

Make it a meal.

Here are a few ideas for sides to go with Hawaiian BBQ chicken:

Rice: Jasmine or basmati rice are particularly good choices as their mild, nutty flavor won’t overpower the chicken. Try our butter rice recipe or arroz blanco recipe.
Salad: Try a mix of greens, such as romaine lettuce or baby spinach, topped with sliced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and a tangy red wine vinaigrette. Or our sweet macaroni salad or pineapple coleslaw are two salad variations.
Green Beans: Sauté green beans with garlic and a splash of soy sauce, topping them with toasted macadamia nuts or sesame seeds for added crunch. Or simply warm up canned green beans.
Baked Sweet Potatoes: The sweet potatoes go well with the sweet pineapple and savory chicken.

Other Recipes to Try:

After you’ve tried this Hawaiian bbq chicken, give one of these favorite dinners a try next: