Description
This Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken recipe features tender chicken thighs or breasts marinated and cooked in a flavorful homemade teriyaki sauce infused with pineapple juice for a sweet tropical twist. Quick to prepare and perfect for a weeknight dinner, this dish balances savory soy sauce, sweet brown sugar, and zesty ginger and garlic, garnished with toasted sesame seeds and fresh green onions.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Teriyaki Sauce
- 1/2 cup soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice (fresh or canned)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
Thickener (optional)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger until the sugar dissolves and the ingredients are well combined.
- Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken thighs or breasts in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over the chicken. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, preferably 2 hours, to let the flavors penetrate.
- Cook the chicken: Heat a skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, reserving the marinade, and cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the chicken is nicely browned.
- Make the sauce: While the chicken cooks, pour the reserved marinade into a small saucepan over medium heat. In a separate small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Once the marinade comes to a simmer, slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. If you prefer a thinner sauce, you can skip this step.
- Glaze the chicken: Spoon or brush the thickened teriyaki sauce over the cooked chicken in the skillet, coating it thoroughly and letting it caramelize for a minute or two.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the chicken from the heat, sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, and serve hot with steamed rice or your favorite side dishes.
Notes
- Using low-sodium soy sauce helps control the salt content.
- Pineapple juice adds natural sweetness and helps tenderize the chicken.
- Marinate for longer than 30 minutes for deeper flavor, but avoid marinating more than 8 hours to prevent texture changes.
- Cornstarch thickening is optional — skip it for a lighter, thinner sauce.
- Chicken thighs provide more juiciness and flavor, but breasts offer a leaner option.
- Toasting sesame seeds lightly enhances their nuttiness.
