My older sister, Jenn described this recipe to me at least 10 years ago and it’s one we enjoy repeating each grilling season. It’s so simple yet tastes like a dish much more complicated. We like to top our chicken with Monterey Jack cheese, but you can use mozzarella or even provolone if you’d like.
Our family doesn’t eat a ton of meat with dinner, so I divided the recipe below into 2 portions and froze half of the chicken and marinade. Feel free to do what works for you!
Cheesy Grilled Pineapple Chicken
Serves 7-8
- 2/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup sherry {cooking wine}
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 clove minced or chopped garlic
- 2 TBSP olive oil
- 20-oz can sliced pineapple {you’ll use 1/2 cup of the juice + the pineapple}
- 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8+ slices Monterey Jack cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
Slice each chicken breast in half and pound thin. {I cut each breast in 3 pieces, first slicing off the thin end, then halving the remaining portion.}
Add the soy sauce, sherry, ginger, garlic and oil into a large ziplock bag. Open the can of pineapple and pour out 1/2 cup of pineapple juice and add that to the ziplock bag. I also add in a bit of salt and pepper. Set aside the remaining pineapple for later.
Add the chicken and let marinate for 5-6 hours, turning the bag over occasionally.
When the chicken is done marinating, slice the cheese. Fire up the grill and first cook the chicken until it’s nearly done. I also like to lay the pineapple slices on the grill as well, to get them nice and hot.
When the chicken is almost cooked through, lay a slice of pineapple on top, then cover the pineapple with a slice of cheese. Close the grill lid and let it cook for another 3-4 minutes, until cheese is melting.
Remove from grill and serve with additional slices of pineapple.
Enjoy!