Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken
This Easy Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken recipe offers a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors inspired by the tropical spirit of Hawaii. Featuring juicy boneless, skinless chicken thighs glazed with a rich pineapple-soy sauce, this dish is quick to prepare, family-friendly, and ideal for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
- Author: Barbara
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken
- 1.5 to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Marinade & Sauce
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup fresh pineapple juice
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for slurry)
- 2 tablespoons water (for cornstarch slurry)
Garnish
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- Prepare the Marinade. In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, fresh pineapple juice, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil until the sugar is fully dissolved. This mixture will tenderize the chicken and infuse it with vibrant tropical teriyaki flavors.
- Marinate the Chicken. Place the chicken thighs in a shallow dish or ziplock bag and pour the marinade over them. Ensure each piece is fully coated. Refrigerate and let it marinate for at least 20 minutes or up to 2 hours for maximum flavor.
- Cook the Chicken. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add a splash of oil. Remove the chicken from the marinade (reserve the marinade) and sear the thighs for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
- Make the Teriyaki Glaze. Pour the reserved marinade into the skillet and bring it to a boil. Mix cornstarch with water to prepare a slurry, then slowly stir it into the marinade to thicken it into a shiny glaze.
- Coat and Serve. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Spoon the thickened teriyaki sauce over each piece, coating the chicken beautifully. Cook for another minute until everything is glazed and irresistible. Garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the best texture and juiciness.
- Even a short marinating time helps the flavors penetrate deeply.
- Add cornstarch slurry gradually to avoid overly thick or gloopy glaze.
- Fresh pineapple juice significantly improves the flavor over bottled alternatives.
- Let chicken rest a couple of minutes after cooking to retain juices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: Hawaiian teriyaki chicken, easy teriyaki recipe, pineapple chicken, weeknight dinner, sweet and savory chicken