Grilled BBQ Chicken with Pineapple Salsa is made by smothering grilled chicken with thick & flavorful bbq sauce then topping it with a delicious pineapple salsa.
Perfect for weeknight dinners or weekend get-togethers, the pineapple salsa pairs perfectly with the tangy grilled barbecue chicken.
Anyone ready for some BBQ chicken with pineapple salsa?! I know I am. Summer is quickly approaching and with that comes GRILLING SEASON! It seems like for the better part of the last several months my grill was buried under at least a foot of snow, so I’m thrilled to fire it up. This recipe is the perfect way to dress up ordinary barbecue chicken. It’s easy to make and has the best flavor!
How to make the BEST BARBECUE CHICKEN
Here are a few tips on how to make the best ever grilled BBQ chicken. First, start by sprinkling the chicken with salt and pepper. Yes, even though you’ll be slathering on sauce later, chicken is pretty bland so more flavor is always a good idea.
If you’re nervous about your chicken being dry or tough, try “marinating” it with a simple mixture of milk, olive oil and cornstarch first. Just combine 1 cup milk with 2 TBSP olive oil and 1 teaspoon of cornstarch. Whisk together and immerse chicken for about 15 minutes. Then transfer to a hot grill and sprinkle on some salt and pepper, then proceed with the recipe.
Don’t add the barbecue sauce right away. Sometimes, if I’m cooking kabobs or other types of small chicken, I’ll slather some sauce on early. However, for most chicken breasts, if you sauce early then the sugar in the sauce causes it to burn. Burnt chicken in any form doesn’t taste good! So cook most of the way, then slather on the sauce so you get the moist flavor, but not the burned taste.
Use a meat thermometer! Chicken can be inedible when overcooked, so be sure to use a meat thermometer when grilling. Small pieces of chicken can cook quickly, so this really helps you know when the meat is done. Just stick it in the thickest part of the piece of chicken and push the button to get a reading. Chicken is fully cooked at 165 degrees F but it’s okay to take it off the grill at 160-162 degrees. Place it in a glass dish and cover with foil. Let the cooked chicken rest for 5-10 minutes and serve.
My all-time favorite meat thermometer is the Thermapen. It’s super fast and incredibly durable. Another great meat thermometer is the ThermoPop which is a more basic version that works just as well!
GRILLED BBQ CHICKEN WITH PINEAPPLE SALSA
Grilled BBQ Chicken with Pineapple Salsa is made by smothering grilled chicken with thick & flavorful bbq sauce then topping it with a delicious pineapple salsa made with lime and jalapeno. Perfect for weeknight dinners or weekend get-togethers, the pineapple salsa pairs perfectly with the tangy grilled barbecue chicken.
- Makes: 4 servings
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 12 minutes
INGREDIENTS
- 6 pineapple rings
- 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 small jalapeño pepper, diced
- Salt and Pepper
- Extra virgin olive oil
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat your grill.
- Place the pineapple rings on the grill and cook 1 minute on each side or until slightly charred. Remove the pineapple from the grill and dice.
- In a small bowl, combine the diced pineapple, onion, cilantro, lime juice, and jalapeño, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
- Lightly coat the chicken breasts with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the chicken on the grill over direct heat and cook until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit, about 5 to 6 minutes per side.
- Coat the chicken breasts liberally with BBQ Sauce and allow the sauce to caramelize. Remove the chicken breasts from the grill after 1 minute to avoid burning, and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Top each chicken breast with a generous amount of pineapple salsa and serve.
GRILLED BBQ CHICKEN WITH PINEAPPLE SALSA
Ingredients
- 6 pineapple rings
- 1/4 cup red onion chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 small jalapeño pepper diced
- Salt and Pepper
- Extra virgin olive oil
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Preheat your grill.
- Place the pineapple rings on the grill and cook 1 minute on each side or until slightly charred. Remove the pineapple from the grill and dice.
- In a small bowl, combine the diced pineapple, onion, cilantro, lime juice, and jalapeño, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
- Lightly coat the chicken breasts with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the chicken on the grill over direct heat and cook until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit, about 5 to 6 minutes per side.
- Coat the chicken breasts liberally with BBQ Sauce and allow the sauce to caramelize. Remove the chicken breasts from the grill after 1 minute to avoid burning, and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Top each chicken breast with a generous amount of pineapple salsa and serve.
Video
Notes
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More BBQ Chicken Recipes and Summer Dinner Ideas:
If you love sweet and savory chicken recipes, there are so many easy dinner ideas to try next! BBQ Chicken Bacon Pineapple Kabobs are another delicious pineapple chicken recipe that’s perfect for summer cookouts and backyard grilling. Easy Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken has the same sweet Hawaiian-style flavors that make pineapple chicken recipes so popular, while Chicken Pineapple Tacos are an easy family dinner with tons of flavor.
Best Homemade Chicken Strips and McDonald’s Copycat Chicken Nuggets are two of our most popular chicken dinner recipes and always family favorites. For more easy chicken meals, try flavorful Zesty Italian Chicken or smoky Easy Smoked Chicken Legs for cookouts and weekend dinners.
More Summer Salads and BBQ Side Dishes:
This grilled BBQ chicken recipe pairs perfectly with fresh salads and easy summer side dishes! Frito Corn Salad is always a favorite for BBQs and potlucks, while Copycat Ruby Tuesday Pasta Salad and Red White and Blue Pasta Salad are perfect for summer gatherings and family cookouts.
For lighter side dish options, try refreshing Cucumber Tomato Salad or sweet Mandarin Orange Salad alongside grilled chicken dinners and summer meals.
Sandra Shaffer says
This BBQ chicken is making my mouth water! What a delicious way to serve skinless chicken. I think I might need to make extra pineapple salsa. I could eat that by the spoonful!
Jenn says
A meat thermometer is a must! Love the pairing of this sweet pineapple salsa with the bbq sauced chicken – such a fantastic combo!
Jessica says
I agree on all accounts, Jenn! 😉
Carissa Nelson says
Okay, so I just had pineapple salsa at a restaurant and it’s so been on my mind since then! This looks amazing!
Jessica says
It is amazing Carissa! I hope you like it!