Grilled Pineapple Chicken With Avocado Salsa (Printable)
Tender grilled chicken in a tangy pineapple marinade, topped with fresh avocado salsa for a perfect tropical summer meal.
# List of ingredients:
→ Chicken Marinade
01 - 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 cup fresh pineapple juice
03 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
04 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
05 - 2 tablespoons honey
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - ½ teaspoon salt
10 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
→ Avocado Salsa
11 - 2 ripe avocados, diced
12 - 1 cup fresh pineapple, diced
13 - ½ small red onion, finely chopped
14 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
15 - ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
16 - Juice of 1 lime
17 - Salt and pepper to taste
→ For Serving
18 - Lime wedges
19 - Fresh cilantro leaves
# Steps:
01 - Whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, olive oil, honey, garlic, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until fully combined.
02 - Place chicken breasts in the marinade, turning to coat completely. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
03 - Gently combine avocado, pineapple, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime juice in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
04 - Heat grill to medium-high temperature. Remove chicken from marinade and pat dry with paper towels.
05 - Grill chicken for 6–8 minutes per side until cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a plate and rest for 5 minutes.
06 - Top each chicken breast with avocado salsa. Garnish with lime wedges and additional cilantro if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The pineapple marinade keeps the chicken incredibly juicy while giving it this gorgeous caramelized char
- The avocado salsa is basically a meal in itself, I have caught guests eating it straight from the bowl with chips
02 -
- Do not skip patting the chicken dry before grilling or you will not get those gorgeous char marks everyone loves
- The salsa really needs to sit for at least 15 minutes so the flavors can meld together
03 -
- If your chicken breasts are thick, pound them to an even thickness before marinating so they cook evenly
- Let the grilled chicken rest for the full 5 minutes or you will lose all those juices when you cut into it