Tropical BBQ Chicken -- The Grill That Brought Everyone Together

Fourth of July, second year in a row at the waterfront with Liam. Last year he was in the carrier and slept through it. This year he was sixteen months on his feet and stood on the blanket with his arms slightly out, which is his stance for things that are loud and enormous, and watched the fireworks with an expression I can't characterize except to say it was complete attention and no fear. When a big one went up he pointed at it. When it faded he looked at us to make sure we'd seen. "Da!" he said to Sean. "Up! Up!"

Sean lifted him onto his shoulders and Liam sat up there with his hands on Sean's head for the last ten minutes of the show, small person perched on tall person, Boston harbor dark and lit below them. I stood next to them and took exactly one photo and then put the phone away because some things you watch and some things you photograph and I know which is which now.

My father came to the neighborhood for the afternoon cookout—he does this every year, comes to wherever the family has gathered and eats and doesn't say much and then drives home. He held Liam for twenty minutes while the fireworks were happening and Liam pointed at each one and my father watched Liam's face instead of the sky. I watched my father watching Liam. The chain of watching that is love.

Grilled everything. Sean did the grill again this year, same as last July, and my father and Sean Sr. stood at it with him and nobody talked for long stretches and the food came out excellent.

The grill was the center of everything that afternoon—Sean and the two dads standing around it in that quiet, comfortable way men have when the food is the conversation. This Tropical BBQ Chicken is exactly what came off it: sticky and caramelized at the edges, sweet from the pineapple, smoky from the char, the kind of thing that disappears fast and leaves everyone standing a little closer to the table than they meant to. It’s become our Fourth of July standard because it’s simple enough that the grill does the work and present enough to feel like a celebration.

Tropical BBQ Chicken

Prep Time: 15 min | Cook Time: 30 min | Total Time: 45 min | Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and drumsticks
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Pineapple rings, for grilling (optional)
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Instructions

1. Make the marinade. In a medium bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, BBQ sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, olive oil, garlic, ginger, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes until combined.
2. Marinate the chicken. Place chicken pieces in a large zip-top bag or shallow dish. Pour half the marinade over the chicken, reserving the other half. Seal and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight for deeper flavor.
3. Prep the grill. Heat an outdoor grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Oil the grates lightly to prevent sticking.
4. Simmer the reserved marinade. Pour the reserved marinade into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce and simmer 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened. Set aside for basting.
5. Grill the chicken. Remove chicken from marinade and season with salt and pepper. Place on the grill skin-side down. Cook 6–8 minutes per side, turning once, until grill marks form.
6. Baste and finish. During the last 10 minutes of grilling, brush chicken generously with the reduced marinade every few minutes. Cook until internal temperature reaches 165°F and the glaze is caramelized.
7. Grill the pineapple. If using pineapple rings, grill alongside the chicken for 2–3 minutes per side until charred. Serve alongside the chicken.
8. Rest and serve. Transfer chicken to a platter, tent loosely with foil, and rest 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with grilled pineapple.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 410 | Protein: 34g | Fat: 18g | Carbs: 28g | Fiber: 1g | Sodium: 680mg