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Grilled Chicken with Pineapple Salsa

5 from 1 vote
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posted: 04/26/20

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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

This Grilled Chicken with Pineapple Salsa comes together quickly to make a delicious, fresh, amazing dinner that everyone will love!

a close up of a sliced grilled chicken breast that was marinated covered in pineapple salsa on a black rimed white plate next to some rice

The marinade for this incredible grilled chicken has been in the works for a while. I am now OBSESSED.

The other day I was running on the treadmill and my wonderful husband asked me what I wanted for dinner . . . over text. So I sent him the recipe for this marinade and he made it, grilled up the chicken, and it was quite literally one of the best pieces of chicken I’ve ever eaten.

I love every recipe I post. Because if I don’t, it’s just not worth sharing with you. But this recipe is head and shoulders above the rest.

If you made my Pineapple Salsa that I posted the other day, you are already on your way to falling in love with this.

Marinating Chicken

Marinating Chicken is a very simple way to add a lot of flavor to a dish. But there are a few things to keep in mind.

  • Marinate your meat for at least 20 minutes, but no longer than 24 hours.
  • If you marinate for too long, the meat with break down and become gamey.
  • The acid in the lime juice is what helps penetrate just the first layers of the meat, which is what we are going for. A good marinade, should have some acid, like vinegar, lime juice, or lemon juice.
  • Always discard any remaining marinade.
  • Always marinate your meat in the refrigerator.
two grilled, sliced chicken breasts covered in pineapple salsa on a white oval plate on a large cutting board with lime wedges and fresh cilantro

Grilled Chicken Marinade

The marinade for this chicken pairs so perfectly with the salsa that goes on top. Typically you want some sweet element in your marinade, but because of the sweetness of the pineapple, you really don’t need anything.

Marinade Ingredients

  • Olive Oil
  • Lime Juice
  • Kosher Salt
  • Black Pepper

Despite it’s simplicity, the flavors in this blend together like magic!

Meat Substitutions

You could absolutely do this recipe with other meat! I have done it with skirt steak, and it was fantastic. Just swap out the chicken for a pound of something else. Shrimp would be amazing too!

a grilled chicken breast covered in pineapple salsa on a plate with cilantro lime rice, lime wedges, and cilantro on a small cutting board with a striped cloth napkin

Pineapple Salsa

The star of this show is really the Pineapple Salsa. It marries with the simple marinade of the chicken so wonderfully. And it only takes about 10 minutes to make!

Oddly, even though this is my recipe, I was Oooohing and Ahhhhing as I ate it, thanking Nathan over and over for grilling up the perfect chicken.

My Pineapple Salsa recipe details how to make it. It also goes over things like:

  • How to Pick the Perfect Ripe Pineapple
  • How to store Cilantro
  • How to cut a Jalapeño

You definitely want to check out that post. Or you could mix things up and make Grilled Pineapple Salsa.

How Long to Grill Chicken

One of the things I love about this recipe is how quick it comes together even with a marinade.

Grill the boneless skinless chicken breasts for about 5 to 7 minutes on each side or until the internal temperature registers 165 degrees.

close up side view of the best marinated grilled chicken breast that is covered in pineapple salsa with fresh cilantro next to it on a plate

Pairing Suggestions

If there are only two of you, this recipe is plenty on it’s own and you won’t need to make anything else.

This recipe works as a meal for a family of four, with some additional sides. Some suggestions are:

If you make this Grilled Chicken Breast or any of my recipes, please leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

close up side view of the best marinated grilled chicken breast that is covered in pineapple salsa with fresh cilantro next to it on a plate
5 from 1 vote

Grilled Chicken with Pineapple Salsa

Serves: 4 people
(tap # to scale)
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
This Grilled Chicken with Pineapple Salsa comes together quickly to make a delicious, fresh, amazing dinner that everyone will love!

Ingredients

  • 1 pound chicken breasts (It can be a little over or a little under a pound)
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Pineapple Salsa

  • 4 cups pineapple diced (about 1 small pineapple)
  • 1 large jalapeno minced
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro
  • 1/2 medium red onion diced
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Mix together the ingredients for the marinade, the oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Place in a reusable container. Add the chicken, and make sure it is compltely covered with the marinade. Cover and place in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes.
  • While the chicken is marinating, mix togethr the ingredients for the pineapple salsa, the pineapple, jalapeno, lime juice, red onion, salt, and cilantro.
  • Preheat the grill to medium heat. Add the marinated chicken breasts and cook for 5 to 7 minutes on each side or until the internal temperature reads 165 degrees.
  • Serve the chicken with the pineapple salsa, and enjoy!
Calories: 312kcal (16%) Carbohydrates: 25g (8%) Protein: 25g (50%) Fat: 14g (22%) Saturated Fat: 2g (13%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g Monounsaturated Fat: 7g Cholesterol: 75mg (25%) Sodium: 924mg (40%) Potassium: 234mg (7%) Fiber: 3g (13%) Sugar: 17g (19%)
Author: Lisa Longley
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
close up side view of the best marinated grilled chicken breast that is covered in pineapple salsa with fresh cilantro next to it on a plate

did you make this

Grilled Chicken with Pineapple Salsa

I’d love to see what you made! Tag me @lisasimplejoy and hashtag it #simplejoyrecipes!

Hi! I'm Lisa Longley, and I am committed to giving you simple dinner ideas and recipes that are easy to make; recipes that will fill your home with joy. I am the owner and author of SimpleJoy.com and I'm so glad that you are here.

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  1. Carl Pirro says

    Sounds like a great recipe Lisa. Will give it a shot. Thank you.

  2. Ruby Bryant says

    5 stars
    Ughhhhhh this was so good! Even my fruit-hating guys loved it! Perfect for summer! I could eat the salsa and rice and never miss the chicken. Perfection!

    • Lisa Longley says

      So happy to hear this Ruby!

  3. Monica says

    Looks delish!! Will have to give this a try!!

    • Lisa Longley says

      I hope you love it Monica!

  4. clarissa perez says

    thank lisa i love pineapple. I will try.

  5. Carl Pirro says

    Grilled chicken sounds great Lisa. Thanks

  6. Peggy says

    Hi!
    I can’t seem to find the nutrition information. When I clicked on the arrow, nothing came up. Can you provide it?

    Thank you!

    • Lisa Longley says

      It is in there now!

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