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Whiskey Pineapple Chicken

Whiskey Pineapple Chicken with a caramelized whiskey-pineapple glaze. Marinated chicken thighs get grilled until smoky-tender, then finished with sweet, sticky pineapple flavor.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Marinating 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Hawaiian Fusion
Calories: 560
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken and marinade
  • 2 lb chicken thighs
  • 0.5 cup pineapple juice
  • 0.25 cup whiskey
  • 0.25 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 grilled pineapple slices Serve on top of the cooked chicken.

Equipment

  • 1 grill

Method
 

Make the whiskey-pineapple marinade
  1. In a bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, whiskey, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, and grated ginger until the sugar dissolves and the mixture looks smooth and glossy.
  2. Pour out and reserve 1/3 cup of the marinade for basting, then pour the remaining marinade over the chicken thighs.
Marinate
  1. Marinate the chicken for 1-4 hours in the refrigerator, covered, so the thighs take on the sweet-savory pineapple and whiskey flavor.
Grill the chicken and pineapple
  1. Preheat a grill to medium heat and place the chicken on the grates; cook for 6-7 minutes per side, basting frequently, until grill-marked and caramelized.
  2. Add grilled pineapple slices to the grill and cook for 2 minutes per side, just until lightly charred and warmed through.
Serve
  1. Serve the grilled whiskey-pineapple chicken topped with the grilled pineapple slices for a sweet and smoky finish.

Notes

Pro tip: if the reserved marinade starts to look too thick while the chicken is grilling, brush it on during the last 5 minutes so it caramelizes without burning. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days; freeze cooked chicken for up to 2 months (freeze pineapple separately for best texture). For a lower-sugar option, use 3/8 cup brown sugar instead of 1/4 cup to reduce sweetness while keeping the caramelized glaze effect.