Introduction

These Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Burgers bring a juicy, flavorful twist to your usual burger night. Featuring a blend of smoky spices and sweet grilled pineapple, they are perfect for a paleo or Whole30-friendly meal. Quick to prepare and packed with vibrant taste, they’re sure to become a favorite.

The dish shows two layers: a thick, juicy grilled patty as the base, with dark brown grill marks and a slight charred texture, topped by two golden-yellow grilled pineapple rings with visible caramelized edges. This is all placed over fresh green lettuce leaves on a white plate with a white marbled surface background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

Coconut oil or olive oil for brushing grill/skillet
1 lb ground chicken (not too lean)
1 1/2 Tbsp coconut aminos
1/4-1/2 tsp fine grain sea salt (less if sensitive to saltiness)
1 tsp smoked paprika
3/4 tsp chili powder (ancho chili powder recommended, or any)
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp garlic powder
4 pineapple slices (about 1/2” thick; fresh or canned in juice only)
1/2 cup chipotle ranch sauce (see below)
Butter lettuce for serving
Cilantro or green onion for topping
For the chipotle ranch sauce:
- 1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp Paleo mayo (homemade or purchased)
- 1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder
- 1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried chives
- Optional salt to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the chipotle ranch sauce by mixing all sauce ingredients in a small bowl until well blended. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Step 2: Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat and brush it with coconut or olive oil to prevent sticking.
Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken with coconut aminos, salt, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder. Wet your hands with water to prevent sticking, then form the mixture into patties.
Step 4: Grill the patties for about 3 minutes on each side, until the juices run clear and the first side has a nice char before flipping.
Step 5: If space allows, grill pineapple slices alongside the burgers for the last 2 minutes, flipping once the first side has deep golden brown grill marks.
Step 6: To serve, place each burger on a butter lettuce leaf, top with a grilled pineapple slice and a generous spoonful of chipotle ranch sauce. Garnish with thinly sliced green onion or cilantro and enjoy.

Tips & Variations

Use fresh pineapple for the best flavor, but canned pineapple in juice-only works well as a convenient substitute.
Adjust the chili powder in the patties and sauce to match your preferred spice level.
For extra juiciness, avoid using very lean ground chicken and consider mixing in a small amount of finely chopped onion or grated zucchini.
Butter lettuce leaves make a crisp, low-carb alternative to buns and add a fresh crunch.

Storage

Store leftover grilled chicken patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep pineapple slices separate to avoid sogginess. Reheat patties gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through. Prepare chipotle ranch sauce fresh or keep refrigerated for up to one week.

How to Serve

Two white plates on a white marbled surface each have two layers of food: the bottom layer is bright green lettuce leaves with crisp texture, topped by round, thick, brown grilled patties with visible char marks. On top of each patty lies a grilled pineapple ring with dark caramelized lines. Both pineapple rings and patties have a drizzle of light orange creamy sauce. Small fresh green cilantro leaves are sprinkled on top. Each plate also holds a small white bowl filled with a light orange creamy sauce on the side. Two silver forks are placed near the plates. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different meat instead of ground chicken?

Yes, ground turkey or lean ground pork are good substitutes. Keep in mind cooking times may vary slightly, so monitor patties closely while grilling.

What if I don’t have a grill or grill pan?

You can cook the patties and pineapple slices in a skillet over medium-high heat with a bit of oil. Aim for a good sear on each side and cook through as you would on a grill.