Tropical Salsa Grilled Chicken

This marinated grilled chicken is topped with a sweet tropical salsa which includes pineapple and oranges. It’s a colorful summer entree that always impresses!

Update: This recipe was originally published in 2018 and has been republished with all new photos.

Dinner has never looked so summery or tasted as good. This Tropical Salsa Grilled Chicken is a fiesta in your mouth and on your plate, friends. Imagine having guests over and serving this. It’s so colorful and impressive!

Plus it’s easy. Marinade. Chop. Grill. Eat.

To give this tender chicken a tropical twist we’re creating a simple fruity salsa with pineapple, oranges, cilantro, jalapeno, and soy sauce or coconut aminos. The jalapeno does not make it spicy. It’s all just so sweet and yummy!

Marinating chicken in soy sauce or coconut aminos and a few simple seasonings gives us big flavor that complements the salsa so well.

I recommend using all fresh ingredients. I know that you can get canned pineapple chunks but it’s just quite the same. The color isn’t as vibrant and the flavor isn’t as strong. Fresh ingredients from the produce department or your local farmer’s market just make for a better salsa.

Serve this gorgeous chicken with tropical flavors over white rice and prepare to be delighted!

For more dishes featuring pineapple, try these recipes for my Chicken and Pineapple Kabobs, Hawaiian Steak Kabobs, Slow Cooker Shredded Pineapple Chicken, and Pineapple Ginger Chicken.

Tropical Salsa Grilled Chicken Ingredients

• Chicken breasts: I use boneless skinless chicken breasts in this recipe. You can use chicken thighs if you prefer.
• Pineapple: Fresh pineapple is best for the most flavorful and colorful tropical salsa so I recommend avoiding canned options. Chop the pineapple into small pieces so you get a bit of it in every bite.
• Orange: Any orange will do. I like a combination of Navel and Cara Cara oranges because I love the color contrast between the two. Cara Cara orange have a lovely pinkish-red flesh. It reminds me of a grapefruit without the sourness.
• Jalapeno: We’re only using half a jalapeno in this salsa because we want it to remain sweet and not spicy. For more heat you can of course use the whole jalapeno.
• Cilantro: Fresh cilantro adds an earthy flavor that helps balance out the sweetness in the salsa.
• Soy sauce or coconut aminos: You can use either coconut aminos or soy sauce in this marinade.
• Seasonings: Garlic powder, ground ginger, salt, and black pepper are the only seasonings you need to flavor this easy marinade.

How to Make Tropical Salsa Grilled Chicken

Let’s make this tropical chicken recipe, shall we? Place chicken breasts in a resealable bag with all marinade ingredients. Seal bag, squeezing out any excess air. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 12 hours. The longer you marinate, the bigger the flavor.

While the chicken is marinating, combine your tropical salsa ingredients in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate until it’s time to serve the chicken. The deliciously sweet flavors will build while the salsa is in the refrigerator. No need to add pineapple juice or orange juice to this salsa because the fresh fruit will release the juices naturally.

When it’s time to cook, oil the grill grates with a bit of olive oil to prevent sticking. Grill your chicken on an outdoor grill. I use a gas grill just because it’s so easy but a charcoal grill is a great option. To grill, remove each chicken breast from the bag and place on a hot grill over medium heat. Throw away any excess marinade remaining in the bag.

Grill with the lid closed 4 to 5 minutes on each side, flipping only once for nice grill marks. Your chicken should be a beautiful golden brown and juices should run clear.

If you find that you regularly overcook chicken I recommend getting a meat thermometer. It’s the most accurate way to make sure your chicken is the right temperature when you take it off the grill. You want the thickest part of the chicken to have an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. It will continue to cook once removed from the grill so take it off at around 150/160 degrees in order to avoid it drying out.

How to Store Leftover Grilled Chicken

Want to enjoy this grilled chicken recipe the next day or later in the week? This entree makes great leftovers and it’s perfect for meal prep! Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Store the tropical salsa in a separate container.

Reheat the chicken in the microwave or in a large skillet on the stovetop on low to medium-low heat until warmed through. Then top with the salsa when you’re ready to serve.

How to Serve Tropical Salsa Grilled Chicken

I recommend serving this grilled chicken topped with tropical salsa over white or brown rice.

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