Description

Teriyaki Pineapple Chicken is a quick and flavorful dish combining tender chicken with sweet pineapple and a homemade teriyaki glaze. Ready in under 30 minutes, this balanced and versatile meal is perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinners, offering a crowd-pleasing combination of sweet and savory flavors using simple pantry staples and fresh ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Protein

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

Fruit

1 cup fresh pineapple chunks

Teriyaki Sauce

1/4 cup soy sauce (or gluten-free tamari for GF)
2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
1 tablespoon rice vinegar or mirin

Thickener

1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water (cornstarch slurry)

Cooking Oil

1–2 tablespoons vegetable or sesame oil

Optional Garnishes

2 green onions, sliced
1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

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Instructions

Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey or brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and rice vinegar or mirin to create the flavorful teriyaki glaze that will coat the chicken and pineapple.
Cook the Chicken: Heat vegetable or sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
Sauté Pineapple: In the same pan, add fresh pineapple chunks and cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly caramelized, enhancing their natural sweetness and texture.
Combine and Glaze: Return the chicken to the pan with the pineapple, pour the prepared teriyaki sauce over everything, and stir in the cornstarch slurry. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the glaze is shiny and coats all ingredients perfectly.
Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds on top for color and texture, then serve immediately over steamed rice, noodles, or your preferred base.

Notes

Marinate the chicken briefly for 15-20 minutes in the teriyaki mixture for deeper flavor.
Use fresh garlic and ginger to elevate the sauce’s aroma and taste.
Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure even browning; cook chicken in batches if needed.
Adjust the amount of honey or brown sugar to balance sweetness to your liking.
Toast sesame seeds in a dry pan before garnishing for enhanced nuttiness.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Skillet Cooking
Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 320 kcal
Sugar: 12 g
Sodium: 800 mg
Fat: 10 g
Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 20 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 30 g
Cholesterol: 80 mg