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Wicked Awesome Chicken

Marinated chicken with sweet and tangy pineapple-soy glaze, grilled until you get caramelized edges and visible grill marks. Chicken thighs cook fast, then get brushed with a thickened glaze in the final minutes for a glossy finish.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
marinating (2-4 hours) 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 780

Ingredients
  

Chicken thighs
  • 3 lb chicken thighs
Pineapple-soy sweet and tangy marinade
  • 1 cup pineapple juice
  • 0.5 cup soy sauce
  • 0.5 cup brown sugar
  • 0.25 cup ketchup
  • 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 4 garlic minced
  • 1 tsp ginger grated
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
To finish
  • 1 green onions for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 grill
  • 1 saucepan

Method
 

Make the marinade
  1. Combine pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, garlic, ginger, and black pepper in a bowl until smooth.
  2. Reserve 1 cup marinade and pour the rest over the chicken thighs, turning to coat.
Marinate
  1. Cover and refrigerate the chicken for 2-4 hours to let the flavors soak in, aiming for at least 2 hours.
Grill and glaze
  1. Preheat the grill to medium heat, then place the chicken on the grates.
  2. Grill the chicken for 10-12 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, looking for caramelized edges and grill marks.
  3. Simmer the reserved marinade in a saucepan until thickened, about 3-5 minutes.
  4. In the last 5 minutes of grilling, brush the thickened glaze over the chicken until glossy.
  5. Remove from the grill and garnish with green onions, serving with extra glaze for dipping.

Notes

For the best caramelized edges, keep the grill at medium heat and brush with glaze only near the end so it doesn’t burn. Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container for up to 4 days; freeze cooked chicken up to 2 months (glaze may thicken again when reheated). For a lower-sugar option, reduce brown sugar by 1/4 cup and add an extra spoon of ketchup for balance.