Spicy-Sweet Grilled Chicken & Pineapple with Avocado

5.0
(6)
4 Reviews

This chipotle grilled chicken with pineapple and avocado strikes the perfect balance of spicy and sweet. Enzymes in the fresh pineapple help tenderize the chicken breasts in only 15 minutes. Be sure to take them out of the marinade after the 15 minutes is up to prevent the meat from breaking down. You can buy pre-cut pineapple if you prefer, or learn how to cut a pineapple.

By
Liv Dansky
Liv Dansky
Liv Dansky
Liv Dansky has worked with Dotdash Meredith since 2019 as a recipe tester and developer and, more recently, as a writer for the commerce team. Her work can be found across brands like Food & Wine, Southern Living, Real Simple, Eating Well, and Serious Eats.
EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
Updated on June 25, 2024
Reviewed by Dietitian
Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD
Emily Lachtrupp Headshot
Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD

Emily Lachtrupp is a registered dietitian experienced in nutritional counseling, recipe analysis and meal plans. She's worked with clients who struggle with diabetes, weight loss, digestive issues and more. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying all that Vermont has to offer with her family and her dog, Winston.

EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
Tested by
EatingWell Test Kitchen
Eating Well Bio Page
Tested by EatingWell Test Kitchen

The EatingWell Test Kitchen is comprised of a group of culinary professionals who develop and test our recipes. Our recipes go through a rigorous process, which includes testing by trained recipe testers, using different equipment (e.g., gas and electric stoves) and a variety of tools and techniques to make sure that it will really work when you make it at home. Testers shop major supermarkets to research availability of ingredients. Finally, a Registered Dietitian reviews each recipe to ensure that we deliver food that's not only delicious, but adheres to our nutrition guidelines as well. Learn more about our food philosophy and nutrition parameters.

Meet the EatingWell Test Kitchen
Active Time:
45 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 10 mins
Servings:
6
Nutrition Profile:
Sesame-Free Diabetes-Friendly Nut-Free Dairy-Free Soy-Free High-Protein Egg-Free Gluten-Free
Jump to Nutrition Facts
Ingredients for the spicy-sweet grilled chicken & pineapple with avocado recipe

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
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Ingredients

  • 1 large fresh pineapple (about 3 pounds)

  • 1 tablespoon canola oil

  • 1 (7-ounce) can chipotles in adobo sauce, divided

  • 2 tablespoons honey

  • 4 (6 ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided

  • 2 medium ripe avocados, cut into wedges

Directions

  1. Peel and core pineapple. Cut the pineapple flesh into planks about 1 inch thick and 3 inches long to yield about 2 cups. Place the sliced pineapple, oil and 1 tablespoon adobo in a medium bowl; toss until combined.

  2. Finely chop more pineapple to yield about 1/4 cup. Transfer the chopped pineapple to a large bowl along with any accumulated juices. (Reserve remaining pineapple for another use.)

    Finely chopped pineapple and a knife on a wooden cutting board

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

  3. Finely chop 2 to 3 chipotles to yield roughly 2 tablespoons; add to the large bowl with the chopped pineapple. Whisk in honey and 1/4 cup adobo. (Reserve remaining chipotles and adobo for another use.) Add chicken; toss to coat. Cover and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.

    Raw chicken breasts tossed in pineapple adobo marinade in a clear bowl

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

  4. Preheat grill to high (450°F to 500°F). Remove the pineapple planks from the marinade; place on oiled grates (reserve remaining marinade). Grill, uncovered, turning once, until charred and tender, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a large platter.

    Grilled pineapple chunks on a white large plate, with metal tongs on the right side

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

  5. Remove the chicken from the marinade; sprinkle with 3/4 teaspoon salt (discard chicken marinade). Grill the chicken on oiled grates, uncovered and turning once, until the outside is caramelized and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest portion registers 165°F, 6 to 8 minutes per side. Brush the tops of the breasts with the reserved pineapple marinade; grill for 1 minute more. Transfer to the platter with the pineapple.

    A plate with grilled pineapple breasts and pineapple chunks, and another plate with sliced avocado

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

  6. Serve the chicken breasts whole or sliced with the grilled pineapple and fresh avocado. Season everything evenly with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt before serving.

    A serving plate with spicy-sweet grilled chicken & pineapple with avocado

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, August 2023

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

300 Calories
15g Fat
15g Carbs
27g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Serving Size about 3 oz. chicken & 1/3 avocado & about 1/3 cup pineapple
Calories 300
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 15g 5%
Dietary Fiber 6g 21%
Total Sugars 7g
Added Sugars 1g 2%
Protein 27g 54%
Total Fat 15g 19%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 83mg 28%
Vitamin A 226IU 5%
Vitamin C 33mg 37%
Vitamin D 1IU 0%
Vitamin E 3mg 18%
Folate 75mcg 19%
Vitamin K 16mcg 13%
Sodium 473mg 21%
Calcium 21mg 2%
Iron 1mg 6%
Magnesium 58mg 14%
Potassium 765mg 16%
Zinc 1mg 9%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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