Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Sandwich {Quick & Tropical}

These grilled Hawaiian chicken sandwiches are filled with tropical flavors of rich pineapple barbecue sauce, caramel grilled pineapple and juicy chicken. They get together in an hour and make the perfect summer dinner or backyard barbecue crowd.
287 Cal 37 grams of carbohydrates 2G fat 29g protein 5
Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Sandwich Recipe
These grilled Hawaiian Chicken Sandwiches are officially repeated in our homes. A bite of juicy grilled chicken, caramelized pineapple and sweet spicy barbecue sauce, we were attracted. The kids love the extra pineapple, my husband and jalapeno paired with their gentleness and I took a few bites straight from the grill as I assembled!
What I really like is that the pineapple barbecue sauce is homemade but blends together in minutes. It uses pantry ingredients plus pineapple juice for tropical kicks. Roasted pineapple next to the chicken, it gets these lovely burnt edges that add to the other flavor.
Before you begin
This is my main tip for success in preparing sandwiches for you!
- Pickled: The longer the chicken is marinated. Try for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
- Quick options: For faster options, you can marinate the chicken with teriyaki sauce or Asian inspired barbecue sauce. Both options are great and can come up with some extra preparation.
- Prepare the topping: Cut into red onions, jalapeno and prepare the greens while the chicken is marinated.
- Choose your bread: Regular or Hawaiian rolls are good. Bake them for a reward.
How to Make a Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Sandwich
This step-by-step guide lets you make a juicy grilled chicken sandwich like every bite of summer. Don’t worry. It’s easier than it looks!
1. Making marinade
In a bowl, mix together BBQ sauce, pineapple juice, soy sauce, garlic, ginger and sriracha. Put halfway to drizzle. Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes.
2. Grilled chicken and pineapple
Remove the chicken from the marinade and let the excess drip. Spray pineapple slices with cooking spray. Roast the chicken and pineapple on medium heat for 4-5 minutes on each side until the chicken is cooked and the pineapple is lightly burned.
Expert tips: Smash the chicken breasts to even thicknesses so that they can be cooked evenly.
3. Cook excess sauce
When the chicken is grilled, pour the preserved sauce into a small pot. Bring to a boil and cook for 4-5 minutes until slightly reduced.
4. Assembly of sandwiches
Grill the chicken on bread and top with grilled pineapple, red onion, jalapeno and vegetables. Drizzle with reduced pineapple barbecue sauce.
No grill? Instead do this: Use a baking tray or cast iron skillet on the stovetop. You can also bake at 400°F for about 20 minutes.
Tropical twists and creative combinations
There are endless ways to customize this recipe to your preference or pantry. Here are some of my favorite flavor exchanges and fun twists.
- Spicy or mild: Use Extra Jalapeño or Sriracha for calories, or both skip the sweeter version.
- Pineapple exchange: No fresh pineapple? Use a canned ring or try roasting mangoes or roasted peaches.
- Low Carb Options: Swap the regular BBQ sauce for a light or sugar-free version and wrap the burger with crunchy lettuce or some grilled Portobello mushrooms. For the past version, I like to send the burger into some roasted sweet potato chips.
- Dairy enthusiasts: Personally, I don’t think this burger needs cheese, but you can add a slice of Swiss, pepper jack, cheddar or chopped goat cheese.
- Add avocado: Some thinly sliced avocados are also delicious and can add creamy fresh elements.
- Chicken thighs: Juicy, budget-friendly alternative.
- Vegetarian Burgers: If you are feeding vegans, this sauce tastes great on the grilled vegetarian burger. Just make sure to separate the sauce from the marinade.
Service ideas
There are many ways to serve these burgers! Here are our favorite options:
Storage and heating
Here’s how to keep everything new so you can assemble the sandwich anytime!
- Shop: Separate the roasted chicken and pineapple in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- heating: Heat the chicken in a short burst using medium heat or microwave.
- Leftovers: Slice the chicken and use it in a wrap, burrito bowl or salad.
FAQ
Here are some of the most common questions about this recipe:
Do I have to grill pineapple?
While you can skip this step, I really recommend taking the extra steps and grilling. The pineapple caramel is caramelized on the outside and gets a smoky flavor from the grill, which really adds something to the dish. This doesn’t take any extra time either, as you’re already cooking the chicken.
Is it spicy?
You really depend on the spicy flavor of your making these sandwiches. We love the sweet and spicy combinations in our home, so I added Sriracha to the BBQ sauce and also added fresh jalapeno to the burger. If Spice is indeed not your business, please leave it alone or choose Sriracha or Jalapenos, but not both.
Can I freeze it?
The cooked chicken freezes well, but skip freezing fresh toppings. Reheat the chicken and fresh.