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Flavorful Grilled Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Thighs

grilled pineapple teriyaki chicken thighs - featured image

Juicy, tender chicken thighs marinated in a sweet and tangy pineapple teriyaki glaze, grilled to perfection with a smoky char and caramelized finish. Perfect for quick and flavorful BBQ meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds / 900g)
  • ¾ cup (6 fl oz / 180 ml) fresh or canned pineapple juice (unsweetened if possible)
  • ⅓ cup (2.7 fl oz / 80 ml) low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger (optional but recommended)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Fresh pineapple rings or chunks for grilling or mixing into marinade

Instructions

  1. Make the Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and black pepper until well combined. (About 5 minutes)
  2. Marinate the Chicken: Place chicken thighs in a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour marinade over chicken, add pineapple rings or chunks, seal, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, preferably 1-2 hours.
  3. Preheat the Grill: Heat grill to medium-high (375-400°F / 190-205°C). Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking. (10 minutes)
  4. Grill the Chicken: Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Discard leftover marinade. Place thighs skin-side down on grill and cook 6-7 minutes per side until nicely charred and cooked through. (12-15 minutes total)
  5. Grill the Pineapple: Grill pineapple rings or chunks alongside chicken for 2-3 minutes per side until grill marks appear and they soften slightly.
  6. Check for Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  7. Rest the Chicken: Transfer grilled thighs to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before marinating to ensure crispy skin. Avoid flipping chicken too often to preserve skin integrity. Rest chicken after grilling to keep juices. If marinade burns on grill, lower heat or move chicken to indirect heat. Do not use marinade that touched raw chicken for basting unless boiled first.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled chicken, pineapple teriyaki, BBQ chicken thighs, juicy chicken, summer BBQ, easy chicken recipe, teriyaki marinade, grilled pineapple