Chicken Breasts with Pineapple Tequila Marinade

Name: Chicken Breasts with Pineapple Tequila Marinade
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 58 min
Ingredients: ⅔ cup pineapple juice; ⅓ cup tequila; 2 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar; 2 tablespoons ketchup; 1½ tablespoons paprika; 1 tablespoon hot sauce; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 1 tablespoon white vinegar; 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice; ¾ teaspoon dried oregano; 2 cloves garlic, (minced); ¼ teaspoon ground cumin; 2 pounds chicken breasts, (trimmed of fat); salt and pepper, (to taste)

By Lori Lange

5 from 1 vote

Sep 10, 2008

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DF GF

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If you’re looking for a new way to grill your chicken, try this recipe for Chicken Breasts with Pineapple Tequila Marinade.

Chicken in a roasting pan with pineapple tequila marinade

Chicken Breasts with Pineapple Tequila Marinade

There is a ton of great flavor in this marinade, but the pineapple juice really stands out as the star. The tequila is in there too, and it adds an element of flavor to the chicken as well. Don’t worry about it being overwhelmed with tequila flavor, it’s not. And the cooking process kind of cooks out the alcohol anyway. This pineapple tequila marinade is very much sweet and spicy. It’s not overloaded on spice, but there is just enough added in to give it great flavor.

🛒Ingredients needed:

pineapple juice
tequila
dark brown sugar
ketchup
paprika
hot and soy sauces
vinegar
lime juice
oregano and cumin
garlic
chicken breasts
salt and pepper

✏️How to make Chicken Breasts with Pineapple Tequila Marinade:

*The complete, printable recipe with all ingredients and instructions is at the end of this post.

In a small bowl, stir together the marinade ingredients. Remove ½ cup of marinade and reserve for basting the chicken later. Pour the rest of the marinade in a 13×9-inch pan. Add the chicken breasts and marinate at room temperature for about 30 minutes, turning once or twice.
Meanwhile, heat grill to medium-high. When grill is ready, lightly oil the rack.
Remove the chicken from the marinade and place the chicken on the rack. Close the grill, basting often with the reserved marinade until it is used up, and turning the breasts every 2 minutes. Continue to grill for at least 2 minutes after the marinade is used up, turning the breasts once, until just done through while remaining juicy. Total grilling time should be about 8 minutes. Transfer the chicken breasts to a cutting board and let them rest for 3 to 4 minutes.
Across the grain and at a slight angle, carve the chicken breasts into thin slices. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve hot or warm.

Chicken in a roasting pan with pineapple and tequila

➡️Recipe Tips:

You never want to overcook chicken breasts, so keep a close eye on them or use an instant read thermometer and cook them to 165℉.
If you are preparing this recipe as gluten free, just be sure to use brands of soy sauce and ketchup that are known to be GF.
If you are going to be marinading the chicken for longer than 30 minutes, do so in the refrigerator.

✔️What to serve with Chicken Breasts with Pineapple Tequila Marinade:

I highly recommend grilling pineapple alongside your chicken. It happens to make a nice side dish for this meal!
I love serving this grilled chicken with Coconut Ginger Rice.
Keeping with the pineapple theme, serve up some Pineapple Margaritas. These are especially fun if you’re having guests.

Chicken breast with pineapple tequila marinade

★How to Store:

Leftovers will be best stored in the refrigerator and used within 2-3 days.

❤️Why I love this recipe:

There is just nothing quite like juicy, sweet, fresh pineapple and this recipe really highlights that.
I love that this is an impressive recipe with really very little effort.
Grilled pineapple! Need I say more?