Description
This Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken recipe offers a deliciously sweet and savory dish featuring tender chicken thighs or breasts marinated and cooked in a homemade teriyaki sauce infused with pineapple juice, garlic, ginger, and a hint of sesame. Garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, this easy-to-make recipe brings tropical flavors to your dinner table in under an hour, perfect for a flavorful weeknight meal.
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
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- 1/4 cup water (if using cornstarch)
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a bowl, combine soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Whisk until the sugar is dissolved and ingredients are well blended.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken thighs or breasts and cook until browned on one side, about 5-7 minutes, then flip and cook the other side until cooked through, about another 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Make the Teriyaki Sauce: In the same skillet, pour in the prepared teriyaki sauce mixture and bring it to a gentle simmer. If you want a thicker sauce, mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry and add it to the sauce. Stir constantly until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, spooning the sauce over it to coat well. Let it simmer together for a couple more minutes to absorb the flavors thoroughly.
- Serve and Garnish: Remove from heat. Sprinkle the dish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions for garnish. Serve hot over steamed rice or your preferred side.
Notes
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to control salt levels in the dish.
- Fresh pineapple juice offers the best flavor, but canned juice works well too.
- Cornstarch is optional but recommended if you prefer a thicker sauce.
- Chicken thighs yield juicier results, but breasts can be used for a leaner option.
- Serve with steamed rice or sautéed vegetables for a complete meal.
