Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Burger

My roommate burst through the door carrying a fresh pineapple like it was a prize, declaring tonight was the night we recreated that incredible burger from the beach shack in Waikiki. The kitchen filled with tropical sweetness as we grilled, and somehow between laughter and slightly charred pineapple rings, magic happened on those buns.

We served these at our annual summer cookout, and I swear my brother stopped midconversation after his first bite. Now he requests them every time he visits, claiming no restaurant burger has quite captured that perfect sweet and savory balance.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts: Pound them to even thickness so they cook evenly and stay incredibly juicy
• 2 tbsp soy sauce:
• 2 tbsp pineapple juice: Natural enzymes tenderize the chicken while infusing tropical sweetness
• 1 tbsp olive oil: Prevents sticking and adds richness to the marinade
• 1 tsp garlic powder: Even distribution of flavor without any burnt bits
• ½ tsp ground black pepper: A gentle heat that complements the sweet elements
• 60 ml low-sodium soy sauce:
• 60 ml pineapple juice: The backbone of that signature island flavor profile
• 2 tbsp brown sugar: Caramelizes beautifully and balances the salty soy
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar:
• 1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water: The secret to that glossy restaurantstyle consistency
• 4 pineapple rings: Fresh grills up beautifully but canned works in a pinch
• 4 burger buns: Brioche or sesame add extra flavor, but whatever you love works
• 4 lettuce leaves: Iceberg adds that perfect crunch and protects the bun
• 4 slices red onion: Sharp bite that cuts through the sweet teriyaki
• 4 slices tomato: Fresh acidity to balance all the sweet and savory elements
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise: Optional creamy element that ties everything together

Instructions

Marinate the chicken:

Whisk together soy sauce, pineapple juice, olive oil, garlic powder, and black pepper in a shallow dish. Add chicken and turn to coat, letting it sit for at least 15 minutes while you prep everything else.

Make the teriyaki sauce:

Combine soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, and rice vinegar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the cornstarch slurry and simmer until it thickens into a glossy coating consistency.

Fire up the grill:

Get your grill or grill pan nice and hot over mediumhigh heat. Those beautiful char marks are half the appeal here.

Grill chicken and pineapple:

Cook chicken for about 6 minutes per side until it reaches 165°F internally. Toss pineapple rings on during the last 2 minutes to get those gorgeous caramelized grill marks.

Toast your buns:

A quick 30 seconds on the grill gives your buns structure and subtle flavor. No one wants a soggy burger situation.

Build your masterpiece:

Layer it up with mayo, lettuce, chicken, a generous drizzle of teriyaki, that glorious grilled pineapple, and fresh veggies. Top it all off and dig in immediately.

Save

These burgers have become our go-to for celebrating small victories. Theres something about that first bite of sweet, smoky, tangy perfection that makes any regular Tuesday feel like a beach vacation.

Make It Your Own

My cousin adds sliced jalapeños to hers for a spicy kick, while my aunt swears by swapping the mayo for wasabi aioli. The beauty of this recipe is how well it plays with whatever flavor profile you are craving that day.

Side Dish Magic

Sweet potato fries are the natural pairing here, their earthy sweetness echoing the pineapple. A crisp macadamia nut salad with citrus vinaigrette also brings out those tropical notes beautifully.

Make Ahead Strategy

The teriyaki sauce keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to two weeks, so I always double the batch. Having that liquid gold ready to go means weeknight burgers feel like a special occasion.

• Marinate chicken up to 24 hours in advance for maximum flavor penetration
• Grill extra pineapple to chop into morning smoothies or top oatmeal
• Everything else comes together in about 20 minutes from there

Save

These burgers have turned more skeptics into pineappleonpizza believers than I can count. Once you try it, there really is no going back to plain chicken burgers again.