As a seasoned recipe creator I have dozens of easy recipes that are great for company! This Grilled Chicken with Pineapple is a tasty twist on Malibu Chicken. I promise it makes for stress-free entertaining, and it’ll have your guests begging for the recipe!

Everyone is sure to love this Grilled Pineapple Chicken

One reader Kristi said, “I made this the other night and it was so good that I had to make a second batch because I had only made a little the first go around. I was glad that it was easy enough to make that I didn’t mind repeating the whole process. Absolutely delicious!”

You’ll love this juicy grilled chicken recipe topped with grilled pineapple and a savory, buttery glaze. (Like a fancier, upgraded version from the Sizzler dish from the 90s.) Want a more traditional Malibu chicken? Add a slice of Swiss cheese!

Grilling malibu chicken is unique, I think, but what makes it really special is the smoky-sweet sauce that gets spread all over it and between every layer (chicken, ham, cheese, and pineapple).

The sauce is mostly butter and pineapple juice with some other things thrown in to make it pop. The cheese is obviously optional and we like Swiss or pepper-jack cheese the best on these.

We used to go to Sizzler when I was a kid, and I’d always want their malibu chicken. Let me tell you, though… this is EONS better than their flavorless breaded patties (that probably came out of the freezer).

This is the kind of malibu chicken I want to eat for the rest of time.

What is Malibu Chicken?

Malibu Chicken is a classic dish typically made with breaded and fried chicken breasts topped with ham and Swiss cheese, then baked until the cheese is melted and bubbly. However, if you know me, you know I like to mix things up a bit. That’s why this recipe takes a twist by using the grill! Enjoy the delicious combination of chicken, savory ham, and gooey melted cheese without the need for frying!

Chicken Malibu ingredients

• Chicken breasts
• BBQ seasoning (I used Montreal Steak Seasoning)
• Deli ham (thin)
• Canned pineapple
• Swiss cheese
• Pineapple juice (from the can)
• Butter or ghee
• Plain yellow mustard
• Honey
• Molasses
• Coconut aminos
• Chili powder

How to make Malibu Chicken

1. Slice through the thicker part of the chicken breasts horizontally to make them more uniform in thickness. They cook faster this way, the meat goes farther, and it’s more flavorful when you’re using sauces or marinades. Season both sides of each breast with the BBQ seasoning, cover and refrigerate at least an hour.
2. Combine the butter, pineapple juice, mustard, honey, molasses, coconut aminos, and chili powder a medium mixing bowl and whisk until smooth, then set aside.
3. Prepare your grill for two-zone cooking (direct and indirect) at medium-high heat (about 400ºF/200ºC). Or if that last sentence makes you panic, turn on your grill-pan to medium-high heat.
4. Quickly grill one side of each breast and each pineapple ring over direct heat until they are seared and have nice grill marks, about two minutes. Flip each breast and ring, brush with the sauce, and cook another two minutes.
5. Move the chicken to the indirect part of the grill (or a not-so-hot part of your pan) and brush the top of each with the sauce. Top each breast with two slices of ham and drizzle the ham with the sauce. Put a slice of cheese then a pineapple ring on each breast and drizzle yet again with the sauce. Continue cooking with the grill lid down (or in my case, a piece of aluminum foil. . . grill masters are rolling their eyes, I’m sure) until the internal temperature reaches 160ºF (70ºC), about 10 minutes.
6. Drizzle some more sauce ontop and serve!

Pineapple Grilled Chicken tips

Try not to move your chicken and pineapple too much while they’re on the grill – We want those beautiful grill marks and for the pineapple to caramelize in those places.

Serving Grilled Chicken with Pineapple

I love to serve my Malibu chicken with these refreshing sides:

Roasted Broccoli
Cucumber Tomato Salad with Feta
Cucumber Jicama Slaw
Sauteed Green Beans
Coleslaw
Marinated Grilled Zucchini

Storing Chicken Malibu

I highly recommend eating them all if you can since they’re best fresh off the grill. If you have leftovers you’d like to store, just put them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

More Grilled Pineapple Recipes

Grilled Pineapple and Jalapeno Salsa

Southwest Sausage and Pineapple Skewers

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Malibu Chicken Recipe FAQs

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