Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Sandwiches (Printable)
Teriyaki-marinated grilled chicken, melted Swiss, charred pineapple, lettuce and tomato on toasted buns.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken & Marinade
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
03 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
04 - 2 tablespoons pineapple juice
05 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
06 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Sandwich Components
08 - 4 pineapple rings, fresh or canned and drained
09 - 4 slices Swiss or provolone cheese
10 - 4 sandwich buns, split
11 - 1 tablespoon butter, for toasting buns
12 - 4 lettuce leaves
13 - 4 tomato slices
14 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
→ Optional Dressings
15 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise
16 - 1 tablespoon Sriracha or hot sauce, optional
# How To Make:
01 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together the teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, pineapple juice, olive oil, garlic powder, and black pepper until well combined.
02 - Add the chicken breasts to the marinade, turning to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor.
03 - Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
04 - Remove the chicken from the marinade and grill for 6 to 7 minutes per side, until fully cooked through with clear grill marks. During the last 2 minutes, place a slice of cheese on each breast and allow it to melt.
05 - Grill the pineapple rings for 1 to 2 minutes per side until lightly charred and caramelized. Set aside.
06 - While the chicken cooks, spread butter on the cut sides of each bun. Grill or toast until golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes.
07 - Spread mayonnaise on the bottom halves of the toasted buns. Add Sriracha or hot sauce if desired for a spicy kick.
08 - Layer each sandwich starting with a lettuce leaf, followed by the cheesy grilled chicken, a grilled pineapple ring, a tomato slice, and red onion. Cap with the top bun and serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The marinade does all the heavy lifting so you look like a genius with almost zero effort.
- That sweet charred pineapple against savory melted cheese is a combination you will crave year round.
- Everything cooks on one grill which means almost no dishes to wash afterward.
02 -
- Do not skip pounding the chicken flat because uneven breasts lead to burned edges and pink centers every single time.
- Reserve a tablespoon of marinade before adding raw chicken so you can baste the pineapple as it grills for extra punch.
03 -
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes off the grill before assembling so the juices redistribute instead of running out onto your bun.
- Pat the pineapple rings dry before grilling because excess moisture prevents that beautiful caramelization you are after.