Grilled Malibu Chicken takes malibu chicken to another level! I love the sweet & spicy buttery glaze that get brushed on during cooking.
Everyone is sure to love this Grilled Pineapple Chicken
We had a couple of 20-year-old guys over for dinner the other night. (Dark suits, black name tags, riding bikes, seen them around?) I like having them over because they’re sweet. And easy to please.
While we were eating, I asked them if they’d ever had Malibu Chicken.
“Yes, but not like THIS,” one replied.
That was exactly my thought the first time I made this.
Grilling malibu chicken is unique, I think, but what makes it really special is the smoky-sweet sauce that gets spread all over it and between every layer (chicken, ham, cheese, and pineapple).
The sauce is mostly butter and pineapple juice with some other things thrown in to make it pop. The cheese is obviously optional and we like Swiss or pepper-jack cheese the best on these.
We used to go to Sizzler when I was a kid, and I’d always want their malibu chicken. Let me tell you, though… this is EONS better than their flavorless breaded patties (that probably came out of the freezer).
This is the kind of malibu chicken I want to eat for the rest of time.
What is Malibu Chicken?
Malibu Chicken is a classic dish typically made with breaded and fried chicken breasts topped with ham and Swiss cheese, then baked until the cheese is melted and bubbly. However, if you know me, you know I like to mix things up a bit. That’s why this recipe takes a twist by using the grill! Enjoy the delicious combination of chicken, savory ham, and gooey melted cheese without the need for frying!
Chicken Malibu ingredients
- Chicken breasts
- BBQ seasoning (I used Montreal Steak Seasoning)
- Deli ham (thin)
- Canned pineapple
- Swiss cheese
- Pineapple juice (from the can)
- Butter or ghee
- Plain yellow mustard
- Honey
- Molasses
- Coconut aminos
- Chili powder
How to make Malibu Chicken
- Slice through the thicker part of the chicken breasts horizontally to make them more uniform in thickness. They cook faster this way, the meat goes farther, and it’s more flavorful when you’re using sauces or marinades. Season both sides of each breast with the BBQ seasoning, cover and refrigerate at least an hour.
- Combine the butter, pineapple juice, mustard, honey, molasses, coconut aminos, and chili powder a medium mixing bowl and whisk until smooth, then set aside.
- Prepare your grill for two-zone cooking (direct and indirect) at medium-high heat (about 400ºF/200ºC). Or if that last sentence makes you panic, turn on your grill-pan to medium-high heat.
- Quickly grill one side of each breast and each pineapple ring over direct heat until they are seared and have nice grill marks, about two minutes. Flip each breast and ring, brush with the sauce, and cook another two minutes.
- Move the chicken to the indirect part of the grill (or a not-so-hot part of your pan) and brush the top of each with the sauce. Top each breast with two slices of ham and drizzle the ham with the sauce. Put a slice of cheese then a pineapple ring on each breast and drizzle yet again with the sauce. Continue cooking with the grill lid down (or in my case, a piece of aluminum foil. . . grill masters are rolling their eyes, I’m sure) until the internal temperature reaches 160ºF (70ºC), about 10 minutes.
- Drizzle some more sauce ontop and serve!
Pineapple Grilled Chicken tips
Try not to move your chicken and pineapple too much while they’re on the grill – We want those beautiful grill marks and for the pineapple to caramelize in those places.
Serving Grilled Chicken with Pineapple
I love to serve my Malibu chicken with these refreshing sides:
Roasted Broccoli
Cucumber Tomato Salad with Feta
Cucumber Jicama Slaw
Sauteed Green Beans
Coleslaw
Marinated Grilled Zucchini
Storing Chicken Malibu
I highly recommend eating them all if you can since they’re best fresh off the grill. If you have leftovers you’d like to store, just put them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
More Grilled Pineapple Recipes
Grilled Pineapple and Jalapeno Salsa
Southwest Sausage and Pineapple Skewers
Malibu Chicken Recipe FAQs
Cordon Bleu chicken involves rolling it up with ham and cheese, followed by coating in breadcrumbs and frying. In contrast, Malibu chicken features ham and cheese melted directly over the chicken.
According to Carb Manager, Malibu Chicken contains 11g total carbs, 11g net carbs, 25g fat, 22g protein, and 360 calories.
For the best grilled pineapple, I would cut my slices about 1/2-inch think. The easiest way is to use a mandoline slicer.
Using a little oil on the grill and try not to move the pineapple too much – We want those beautiful grill marks and for the pineapple to caramelize in places.
If you make one of my recipes, be sure to post it on social media and tag me at @perrysplate or #perrysplate so I can send you some love!
Malibu Chicken Recipe
Grilled Malibu Chicken takes malibu chicken to another level! I love the sweet & spicy buttery glaze that get brushed on during cooking.
Ingredients
- 6 boneless/skinless chicken breasts
- 2 Tablespoons BBQ seasoning (I used Montreal Steak Seasoning)
- 12 slices deli ham (thin)
- 6 slices canned pineapple
- 6 slices Swiss cheese
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice (from the can)
- 4 Tablespoons grassfed butter or ghee
- 1 Tablespoon plain yellow mustard
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- 1 Tablespoon molasses
- 2 teaspoons coconut aminos
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
Instructions
- The original recipe suggested pounding the thicker parts of the breasts to make them more uniform in thickness, but I simply sliced through them horizontally to form two thin breasts out of each one. They cook faster this way, the meat goes farther, and it's more flavorful when you're using sauces or marinades. Season both sides of each breast with the BBQ seasoning, cover and refrigerate at least an hour.
- Combine the butter, pineapple juice, mustard, honey, molasses, coconut aminos, and chili powder a medium mixing bowl and whisk until smooth, then set aside.
- Prepare your grill for two-zone cooking (direct and indirect) at medium-high heat (about 400º). Or if that last sentence makes you panic, turn on your grill-pan to medium-high heat.
- Quickly grill one side of each breast and each pineapple ring over direct heat until they are seared and have nice grill marks, about two minutes. Flip each breast and ring, brush with the sauce, and cook another two minutes.
- Move the chicken to the indirect part of the grill (or a not-so-hot part of your pan) and brush the top of each with the sauce. Top each breast with two slices of ham and drizzle the ham with the sauce. Put a slice of cheese then a pineapple ring on each breast and drizzle yet again with the sauce. Continue cooking with the grill lid down (or in my case, a piece of aluminum foil. . . grill masters are rolling their eyes, I'm sure) until the internal temperature reaches 160º, about 10 minutes.
- Serve with . . . another drizzle of sauce.
Side Dish Suggestions: We ate this with a green salad, roasted broccoli, and garlic bread. D-LISH.
Notes
Nat's Notes:
1. The first time I made this I used fresh pineapple. Instead of buying pineapple juice separately, I just pureed enough pineapple to make 1/2 cup for the sauce. It made it thicker, but still tasted great.
2. If you can't find coconut aminos you can use Worcestershire sauce.
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Phyllis
Sunday 10th of April 2022
Even though it is technically spring, Mother Nature says otherwise. However, this is a perfect way to commence the beginning of spring. I will use fresh pineapple and make this recipe next week. Thank you for much for a great idea.
Natalie Perry
Thursday 21st of April 2022
I feel your pain! It's been so up and down here, too. I wish she would make up her mind. I think this recipe would hurry things along. Enjoy!
The Best Summer BBQ Recipes – Golden Hour Life
Wednesday 24th of June 2020
[…] Grilled Malibu Chicken – I have made this grilled chicken recipe several times and it does not disappoint! With the added extras of ham and pineapple, it brings a new spin to a plain ol’ chicken thigh. […]
Fav Dinner Recipe Roundup – Golden Hour Life
Wednesday 18th of March 2020
[…] Grilled Malibu Chicken – another summertime favourite! Pro tip: if you’re not a fan of Swiss cheese (like me), try Havarti! I found the taste worked very well with the other ingredients. […]
Kristi
Saturday 4th of December 2010
I made this the other night and it was so good that I had to make a second batch because I had only made a little the first go around. I was glad that it was easy enough to make that I didn't mind repeating the whole process. Absolutely delicious! Our grill broke in our cross country move so I did this on the george foreman grill, which was exciting to say the least!
One of our new favorite meals for sure!
grace
Monday 18th of October 2010
this is all kinds of tasty, natalie! i can imagine how juicy and sweet and delicious the chicken becomes. well done!