Spicy Hawaiian Chicken Burgers
These Spicy Hawaiian chicken burgers with grilled pineapple take your grilled chicken up a notch.
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SPICY HAWAIIAN CHICKEN BURGERS
Summer is here. We’ve been living at the pool. It’s the only way you can survive outside in Florida. You have to be in some sort of water and preferably not one with alligators in it. I’ve given up trying to even do my hair because by the time we do the pool thing and I shower, it’s dinner time. Usually I just let it air dry and it gets all wavy and unruly. I look like that big hairy guy from Harry Potter. What’s his name?
I also love being in the water because it takes some of the weight of this big belly of mine. People at the gym are starting to get worried that I’m still working out. I still have over two months to go but I’m apparently big enough for the “any day” comments to come my way . They stare at me and don’t want to get too close as if my water is going to break on them. Granted, I probably need a bigger workout top. Most of the time I’m actually working out…but I admit my ratio of workout time to looking at food on Pinterest on my phone is nearing 50/50.
We’ve been getting some major mileage out of our grill. I loved the idea of a chicken burger – not something I have often. This is a spicy chicken burger with Hawaiian flavors, topped with pepperjack cheese and some perfectly grilled pineapple.
If you’ve never had grilled pineapple you are missing out. Fresh is the ONLY way to go here. Canned pineapple simply won’t do. I usually like a well dressed burger, heavy on the mustard, but I found that this burger needed nothing. You could add some chipotle mayo but it’s juicy enough that it’s not needed.
OTHER CHICKEN RECIPES
- Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
- Chicken Parmesan Roll-Ups
- One-Pan Cheesy, Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice
- Chicken Spaghetti
- One-Pan Chicken Enchilada Skillet
- Creamy Chicken Noodle Skillet
- One-Pan Mexican Chicken and Rice
- One-Pan Monterey Chicken Pasta
- Baked Parmesan Caesar Chicken
- One-Pot Bacon Broccoli Pasta
- One-Pan Baked Ziti Skillet
- Tomato Basil Chicken Quinoa
- One-Pan Chicken and Spinach Orzo
Spicy Hawaiian Chicken Burgers
Ingredients
- 6 pineapple rings sliced 1/2 inch thick
- 6 slices pepper jack cheese
- 6 hamburger buns
- 2 pounds ground chicken
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- optional sliced red onion for topping, chipotle mayo
Instructions
- Combine the ground chicken, soy sauce, paprika, chili powder, seasoning salt, cumin, and garlic in a large bowl. Lightly mix with your hands and divide into 6 large even balls (or 8 smaller balls for smaller burgers). Form patties, making them slightly thinner in the middle for more even cooking. Refrigerate about 30 minutes (if you have the time).
- Preheat the grill to medium heat. Coat grates lightly with oil. Grill burgers over medium heat about 6 minutes per side or until done. The burgers will flip easily when they are done. Top with cheese for the last 1-2 minutes of cooking time to melt. Remove to a plate and cover with aluminum foil to rest.
- Add the pineapple rings to the grill and cook for about 2 minutes per side.
- To assemble the burgers: Add a pineapple ring to each burger, top with onion and chipotle mayo or other desired toppings.
Notes
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We enjoyed the Hawaiian chicken burger recipe. Thanks for sharing your recipe with us.
Thank you!
Can these be baked instead of grilled? And if so, at what temp and for how long?
That’s going to vary on how thick you make them. I would bake them at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until no longer pink.
Will these work ok with ground chicken that has been frozen (and thawed)?
Yes. The only thing you need to be careful of is sometimes there can be excess moisture when you thaw so make sure you get the meat as dry as you can.
I pinned this ages ago and just got around to trying it. The burgers were awesome! Thanks!
You’re welcome!
Hi Chrissy!! I just made the Caramel Apple Streusel Cheesecake bars. They are cooling as we speak. I cant wait to pop them in the fridge and hopefully snack tonight(if I don’t fall asleep) as a late Mothers Day treat to myself 🙂 But now…..I cant wait to do these burgers!!! They look and sound delish!!! Definitely on the menu this week.
Oops!!! I mean Christy. Sorry about that.
Monique,
Happy Mother’s Day to you! Enjoy!
I’ve never been a fan of poultry burgers, but I made (and posted) the most amazing jalapeño cheddar chicken burger this past weekend, and I have been won over big time. This morning I started searching for similar takes on chx/turkey burgers and found your recipe which I’ve bookmarked and plan to make soon. The combo of flavors in your burger sounds delish. I’m also very much enjoying browsing your blog. I highly recommend trying the jalapeño cheddar chx burger–it knocked my socks off! You haven’t eaten “everything” until you eat this. 🙂 http://www.fransfavs.com/2013/07/jalapeno-cheddar-chicken-burgers-with-guacamole/
Thanks Fran, It sounds fabulous!
Mmmm I love chicken burgers and these look amazing. Perfect for summer and for my waistline too! Ps. Miss you!!
I hope this isn’t to dumb of a question, but do you use white ground chicken or dark?
Thanks
Sandra
Sandra,
I just bought it from the store and it wasn’t breast meat (that would be too dry) but a mixture of mostly white with some darker.
Delicious using thin chicken breast marinated in the soy sauce mixture in place of the ground chicken!
I tried this recipe and i was worried while making it that it would be too sweet even with all the spices, but I have to admit it was perfect. The pineapple had just the right amount of acidity and sweetness to marry in with the chili powder and cumin. These were really delicious and I don’t usually eat chicken burgers. I will admit that my husband did put ketchup on it, but he puts that one everything. I however agree with you. These were delicious, I didn’t even need the chipotle mayo either.
Good to hear!
We just finished eating these for dinner- they were absolutely delicious!!! Thank you so much for sharing…this recipe will definately be added to our summer burger line-up:-).
These look mouthwatering, Christy! I bet the sweet-saltiness of these burgers is just the best. Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend!
These burgers are something I have to try, sounds great!
I think Hagrid is the guy you’re thinking of from Harry Potter, and I’m sure you look nothing like him 🙂
This looks so delicious!
Looks delicious! Glad you are having a fun pool side summer too 🙂
Our grills been seeing a lot of use too and this is one burger that will be making it’s debut on our grill this summer. This sounds wonderful. Love spicy.
These look SO darn good. I’m definitely going to get around to making these. I love everything in this burger!
Oh….my….this burger looks fabulous! Drooling! The chipotle mayo sounds perfect for this burger, but I would gobble it down before removing it from the fridge!
This recipe looks fabulous!! I will have to make these for my husband, who loves spice and is on a chicken and fish only diet. At least this way, he can have a burger! (But he can’t have the bun.)
My youngest would especially love this, because she wont eat hamburgers, she always wants chicken!
These look GREAT Christy!
Thank you!
I love the idea of these! Perfect summer burger!
Even though, I’m a vegetarian, my fiance & all of our friends would love this! We seem to only be going to BBQ’s and grilling lately as well! And, this is so appropriate right now for me; we are going to Hawaii in two weeks! Will have to make this before we go!
These look awesome! Pinning for dinner soon!
YUM. Perfect summer burger!
Sounds right up our alley. I will have to give it a try!
I find when I use ground chicken to make patties, it tends to kind of fall apart until its cooked some. Do you have that problem?
Lacey,
I’ve had that in the past but didn’t have that with these burgers. I think mixing it and then chilling them helps hold them together although I didn’t chill and they held together great.