I’m usually not a fan of hot fruit. Before I eat any fruit-filled pie, it has to be at room temperature or chilled — so you don’t have to worry about me sneaking a bite of a freshly baked pie cooling on a windowsill.
However, when a heated savory dish includes pineapple, like Hawaiian pizza or sweet and sour pork, I don’t mind it. And the same can be said about Jollibee’s Aloha Chicken Sandwich.
If you’re unfamiliar with Jollibee, it’s a Philippines-based fast food chain that has over 80 locations in US. It’s mostly known for its chicken and spaghetti, but also offers burgers and other items.
The sandwich has been around since 2024 — and there’s a burger version that’s been around for even longer — but I only got around to trying it recently because my wife was craving Jollibee, and she decided I’d probably write about a fried chicken sandwich with a grilled pineapple ring. What can I say? I’m pi…neapple-curious, and she knows me too well. Besides the pineapple, the sandwich features a hand-breaded chicken breast fillet, bacon, lettuce, cheese, and Aloha Dressing on a toasted brioche bun.
This sandwich isn’t my first rodeo with a fast food sandwich topped with a grilled pineapple. Remember the Carl’s Jr. Teriyaki Burger? You don’t. Well, it’s a good thing this site does because I totally forgot I enjoyed it.
Despite having a decently sized pineapple slice, I didn’t notice its flavor or texture in the sandwich. There was a hint of sweetness that enhanced the Aloha Dressing, but the pineapple never screamed, “Hey! There’s a pineapple in here. Can you believe it? That’s crazy, right?” The tasty sauce is noticeably tangy, and I got honey mustard vibes from it, but between the sauce, chicken, and bacon, the pineapple never really stood a chance.
While the pineapple, Aloha Dressing, and a little bit of the brioche bun bring the sweetness, the chicken filet and the bacon bring the savory. The chicken was juicy, and the light breading had a nice crunch and a mild umami flavor that sets it apart from other chicken chains. I should note that Jollibee is my second favorite fast food chain for fried chicken — it’s tastier and crispier than KFC, and I’d say I like it as much as Popeyes. As for the bacon slices, they weren’t crispy, but they provided a porky, salty kick that rounded out the sandwich nicely. Overall, there’s a tasty, sweet-and-savory dynamic here. It’s just a shame the ingredient the sandwich is named after is the quietest one.
Anyhoo, if you’re pi…neapple-curious, I’d skip the Aloha Chicken Sandwich. But if you’re Jolli…bee-curious, any of the other chicken sandwiches are worth the trip.
Purchased Price: $9.49*
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 639 calories, 33 grams of fat, 8 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 149 milligrams of cholesterol, 1686 milligrams of sodium, 64 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 21 grams of sugar, and 40 grams of protein.
*Because I live on a rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, things are a bit pricier here. You’ll probably pay less than I did.
There are a few Jollibee’s in Illinois (the nearest ones are closer to Chicago than I normally travel), but there is a Hardee’s (the eastern US twin of Carl’s Jr.) in my hometown. Wouldn’t mind trying a Teriyaki Chicken sandwich from Hardee’s if it’s ever brought back!
I have no idea who this shit is.
Crap. You made a good point. I didn’t even explain what the heck Jollibee is. Added a paragraph about it.
They’ve been building a Jollibee for almost a year now in the shopping center where the Costco I go to is, looking forward to it opening.
Sad to hear the bacon wasn’t crispy (is this the norm?) I just read they added two new angus bacon burgers to their menu a couple days ago
To be honest, when I usually go to Jollibee I don’t get the burgers and chicken sandwiches, so I’m not sure if that’s the norm. When I do go, I get the fried chicken and spaghetti. I love how the fried chicken comes with a side of gravy to dip the chicken in. Also, just to give you a heads up, the spaghetti sauce might be something you’re not used to. It’s much sweeter than what you’d get from an Italian chain. But I really like it.
Marvo is right on all points and suggestions made.
The Chickenjoy is, by far, the most popular and most brand-recognized standard menu item, and should be the go-to to try when first dining there.
Important to remember this is a widely popular international brand started in the Philippines, with less than 5 percent (currently) of all locations being US based.
It’s different than American cuisine. The Jolly Spaghetti is a good example of that.
Thanks for the input JLebowskiTheDude
There’s another location in town I’ve been driving past for 10-15 years, it’s near a Popeyes which has always won out.
Does the chicken travel well (stay crispy)?
it’s about a 15 minute ride home from their location.
The sweet sauce sounds strange, but it’s the sliced up hot dogs that have always kept me from trying it.
It does lose some crispiness if you don’t eat it right away, but I guess that’s the case with any fast food fried chicken.
A 15 minute travel time should be okay; but as Marvo mentions, it’s susceptible to a loss of crispiness like any fast food chicken. Or any fried chicken at all, for that matter.
Main suggestion would be to check the take out container that gets utilized (it can sometimes vary by locaton) and make certain it ISN’T sealed tightly. Especially if the contents are really hot. The chief way any fried foods loose their crispiness is moisture; so if the contents of the container are hot, the steam will condense, and begin to the contents of the container soggy.
I am not familiar with the restaurant (fast food I assume??) or why is sounded like a glowing review with a mere 6/10.
“but between the sauce, chicken, and bacon, the pineapple never really stood a chance.”
“chicken was juicy, and the light breading had a nice crunch and a mild umami flavor that sets it apart from other chicken chains. I should note that Jollibee is my second favorite fast food chain for fried chicken — it’s tastier and crispier than KFC, and I’d say I like it as much as Popeyes”
“As for the bacon slices, they weren’t crispy, but they provided a porky, salty kick that rounded out the sandwich nicely. Overall, there’s a tasty, sweet-and-savory dynamic here. It’s just a shame the ingredient the sandwich is named after is the quietest one.”
“I’d skip the Aloha Chicken Sandwich. But if you’re Jolli…bee-curious, any of the other chicken sandwiches are worth the trip.”