Juicy Island-Inspired Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

Tender chunks of chicken soak up a mouthwatering teriyaki sauce that brings island flavors dancing across your plate.

Bright marinades blend sweet and savory notes in this classic Hawaiian-inspired dish.

The recipe captures the essence of Pacific cuisine with simple, fresh ingredients.

Vibrant bell peppers and green onions add color and crunch to each delectable bite.

Marinating the chicken allows deep flavor penetration, ensuring every morsel bursts with tangy goodness.

Serve this crowd-pleasing meal over steamed rice for a complete tropical experience.

You’ll transport your taste buds to the sunny Hawaiian coastline with this irresistible chicken masterpiece.

Ingredients for Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken

• Soy Sauce: Provides rich, salty depth and traditional Asian flavor profile with umami undertones.
• Pineapple Juice: Adds tropical sweetness and helps tenderize the chicken with natural enzymes.
• Brown Sugar: Creates caramelized sweetness and helps marinade stick to chicken.
• Honey: Enhances glossy finish and provides natural sweetening with complex flavor.
• Mirin: Traditional Japanese rice wine that brings delicate sweetness and subtle complexity.

• Sesame Oil: Delivers nutty, toasted essence that elevates overall recipe authenticity.
• Garlic: Introduces pungent, bold flavor that complements teriyaki's sweet-savory balance.
• Ginger: Offers warm, spicy notes with bright, zesty undertone that cuts through richness.

• Black Pepper: Adds gentle heat and subtle spiciness to round out marinade's flavor profile.

Tools to Cook Chicken Island-Style

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining marinade ingredients and coating chicken.
• Whisk: Essential for blending sauces smoothly without lumps.
• Measuring cups: Helps accurately portion marinade and ingredients.
• Cutting board: Use for prepping garlic and ginger.
• Sharp knife: Helps mince garlic and grate fresh ginger.
• Grill or grill pan: Key for achieving authentic teriyaki char and flavor.
• Basting brush: Crucial for applying reserved marinade while cooking.
• Tongs: Great for flipping and handling chicken on the grill.

How to Make Teriyaki Chicken with Big Flavor

• Create Flavor Fusion

Whip up a tantalizing teriyaki sauce by blending soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, honey, mirin, sesame oil, crushed garlic, grated ginger, and a dash of black pepper in a mixing bowl.

• Marinate Chicken

Immerse chicken pieces into the zesty sauce, ensuring every bit gets coated with the tropical-inspired marinade. Set aside a small portion of the liquid for later basting magic.

• Prep Grill or Skillet

Heat your cooking surface to a sizzling medium-high temperature, creating the perfect environment for transforming your marinated chicken into a mouthwatering masterpiece.

• Grill to Perfection

Place chicken onto the hot surface, letting each side develop a gorgeous caramelized exterior. Brush reserved marinade periodically to enhance flavor and create a gorgeous glaze.

• Check Doneness

Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, guaranteeing juicy, safe-to-eat meat that’s bursting with Hawaiian-inspired deliciousness.

• Rest and Serve

Allow chicken to rest for a few minutes, letting juices redistribute. Slice and plate, ready to transport your taste buds to a tropical paradise with every succulent bite.

Flavor Additions to Bring Even More Aloha

• Marinate Magic: Let chicken soak in the teriyaki mixture for at least 2 hours or overnight to maximize flavor penetration and tenderness.
• Grilling Perfection: Pat chicken dry before grilling to achieve a beautiful caramelized exterior and prevent steaming instead of searing.
• Low-Sodium Swap: Use reduced-sodium soy sauce and replace some liquid with water to cut down on salt content without losing flavor intensity.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Substitute regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to make the recipe completely gluten-free without compromising taste.
• Vegetarian Twist: Replace chicken with firm tofu, tempeh, or portobello mushrooms and follow the same marinating and grilling technique for a plant-based alternative.

Presentation Tips for This Tropical Chicken Dish

• Tropical Luau Plating: Arrange chicken on a bed of fluffy white rice, garnished with fresh pineapple chunks and chopped green onions for a vibrant, Hawaiian-inspired presentation.
• Backyard BBQ Feast: Grill the marinated chicken and serve alongside grilled vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and corn, creating a delicious summer cookout spread.
• Island-Style Meal Combo: Pair the teriyaki chicken with a side of creamy macaroni salad and a crisp green salad topped with mandarin orange slices for a complete Hawaiian-inspired meal.
• Sandwich Transformation: Slice the grilled chicken and stuff into soft Hawaiian rolls with a drizzle of extra marinade and some fresh coleslaw for a quick and tasty lunch option.

How to Store and Reheat Teriyaki Chicken Smoothly

• Marinate Magic: Let the chicken soak in the flavorful mixture for 2-4 hours in the refrigerator to maximize taste absorption and tenderness.
• Chilling Strategy: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor retention.
• Freezing Friendly: Wrap individual portions in freezer-safe bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen teriyaki chicken stays delicious for 2-3 months.
• Reheat with Care: Warm refrigerated chicken in a skillet over medium heat or microwave at 50% power, adding a splash of reserved marinade to maintain moisture and restore vibrant flavor.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 430 kcal

Servings: 4

Succulent Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Succulent Hawaiian style teriyaki chicken brings tropical flavors to your dinner table. Marinated chicken grills to perfection with sweet and tangy sauce, offering a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lb (900 g) chicken thighs (boneless, skinless, or breasts)
• ½ cup soy sauce (Aloha Shoyu)
• ½ cup pineapple juice (fresh or canned)
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsps honey
• 2 tbsps mirin (or rice vinegar)
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger (grated)
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsps water (for thickening, optional)
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil (for grilling)
• 2 tbsps green onions (chopped, for garnish)
• 1 tsp sesame seeds (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Marinade Preparation: Combine soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, honey, mirin, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and cracked black pepper in a large mixing bowl, whisking until ingredients harmonize into a glossy, aromatic liquid.
2. Marinating Process: Separate 1/4 cup of marinade for basting, then fully submerge chicken pieces in the remaining mixture, ensuring complete coverage. Seal container and refrigerate for 2-8 hours, allowing flavors to deeply infuse the meat.
3. Temperature Calibration: Remove chicken from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking, letting it approach room temperature. Meanwhile, heat grill or heavy skillet to medium-high, creating an ideal caramelization zone.
4. Cooking Technique: Arrange marinated chicken on cooking surface, searing each side to develop a rich, golden-brown crust. Periodically brush reserved marinade to build complex, glossy layers of flavor.
5. Doneness Verification: Continue cooking until chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature, ensuring thorough cooking while maintaining succulence. Rest meat for 5 minutes post-cooking to redistribute internal juices.
6. Presentation: Elegantly plate the chicken, garnishing with toasted sesame seeds and finely chopped green onions to enhance visual appeal and add complementary texture and flavor notes.

Notes

• Maximize Flavor Absorption: Marinate chicken overnight to allow deep flavor penetration, ensuring maximum taste and tenderness.
• Control Cooking Temperature: Maintain medium-high heat to achieve perfect caramelization without burning the sugary marinade.
• Prevent Cross-Contamination: Use separate portions of marinade for basting and initial marinating to avoid bacterial risks.
• Ensure Proper Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F internally, guaranteeing safe and juicy results.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Hawaiian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 426
• Sugar: 16 g
• Sodium: 1000 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg