Sizzling Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken Recipe for Island Bliss

Crafting an authentic hawaiian style teriyaki chicken brings island flavors right to your kitchen.

Sweet and savory notes dance across tender meat marinated in traditional sauce.

Pineapple juice adds unexpected brightness to this classic dish.

Local cooks have perfected these recipes through generations of culinary wisdom.

Tropical ingredients blend seamlessly with familiar chicken preparation techniques.

Each bite promises a delightful journey through pacific coastline cuisine.

Trust me, you’ll want to make this recipe part of your weekly meal rotation.

Why Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken Is A Must-Try

• Capture Tropical Flavors: Dive into a vibrant Hawaiian-inspired dish that transports your taste buds to a sunny paradise with its perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and savory ingredients.
• Customize with Ease: Adapt the recipe to suit your preferences by adjusting marinade ingredients, choosing different protein options, or adding extra toppings for a personalized touch.
• Minimal Prep, Maximum Taste: Create a restaurant-quality meal with simple ingredients and straightforward cooking techniques that deliver impressive flavor without complicated steps.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Enjoy a universally loved chicken recipe that appeals to both kids and adults, making it ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or casual gatherings.

What’s In Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: Tender and lean meat that absorbs the delicious Hawaiian teriyaki flavors.

• Soy Sauce, Brown Sugar: Creates a sweet and savory foundation for the chicken's flavor profile.
• Garlic, Ginger: Adds aromatic depth and traditional Asian-inspired seasoning.
• Pineapple Juice: Provides a tropical sweetness and helps tenderize the meat.

• Cornstarch, Water: Helps create a glossy and thick teriyaki sauce.
• Green Onions: Offers a fresh, sharp garnish that adds color and mild onion flavor.
• Pineapple Chunks: Brings a fresh, sweet tropical element to complete the Hawaiian-style dish.

Steps To Make Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken

Step 1: Whip Up A Tasty Marinade

• Soy sauce
• Brown sugar
• Minced garlic
• Freshly grated ginger
• Pineapple juice

Dunk the chicken breasts into this tropical mixture, making sure every inch gets coated. Let the chicken soak up the goodness for at least 30 minutes, but overnight in the refrigerator is even better for maximum flavor explosion.

Step 2: Fire Up The Cooking Surface

Warm up a grill or skillet to medium heat. Take the chicken out of the marinade but save that liquid gold for later.

Grill the chicken until it turns a beautiful golden brown, cooking about 6-7 minutes on each side. You’ll know it’s done when the chicken is cooked through and looks absolutely mouthwatering.

Step 3: Transform Marinade Into Magical Sauce

Pour the reserved marinade into a saucepan. Mix cornstarch with water to create a thickening agent.

Bring the sauce to a boil, then let it simmer until it transforms into a glossy, rich teriyaki glaze that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Step 4: Create A Stunning Plate

Drizzle the thick, glossy sauce all over the perfectly grilled chicken.

For an extra tropical touch, sprinkle some chopped green onions and add a few pineapple chunks as a vibrant garnish. Your Hawaiian-style teriyaki chicken is ready to wow everyone at the table!

Helpful Tips For Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken

• Let the chicken marinate overnight for deeper, more intense flavor infusion that transforms the entire dish.
• Adjust cooking heat carefully to prevent burning, ensuring golden-brown exterior while maintaining juicy chicken interior.
• Use fresh garlic and ginger for more vibrant, authentic Hawaiian taste compared to dried or powdered alternatives.
• Create a low-sodium version by replacing traditional soy sauce with reduced-sodium soy sauce or tamari for health-conscious individuals.
• Pat chicken dry before grilling to achieve perfect caramelization and prevent steaming instead of proper searing.

Ways To Change Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken

• Aloha Pineapple Fusion: Replace marinade pineapple juice with fresh grilled pineapple puree for deeper tropical flavor.
• Coconut Island Remix: Add coconut milk to marinade and coat chicken with toasted coconut flakes before grilling for extra richness.
• Spicy Luau Kick: Incorporate sriracha or red pepper flakes into marinade for a bold, fiery Hawaiian-inspired heat.
• Mango Sunset Variation: Swap pineapple juice with fresh mango puree and top grilled chicken with diced fresh mango for a sweet-tangy profile.

Perfect Pairings For Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken

• Tropical Fruit Symphony: Pair the teriyaki chicken with fresh mango salsa, adding bright, zesty notes that complement the sweet and savory marinade.
• Island-Inspired Beverage Pairing: Serve a chilled passion fruit mojito or Hawaiian-style Mai Tai, which echoes the tropical pineapple undertones in the dish.
• Rice Bed Companion: Serve the chicken over coconut jasmine rice, creating a creamy, fragrant base that absorbs the teriyaki glaze beautifully and enhances the overall Hawaiian flavor profile.
• Crisp Green Harmony: Add a light cucumber and macadamia nut salad on the side, providing a refreshing crunch that balances the richness of the teriyaki chicken.

How To Store Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken Safely

• Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the chicken is completely cooled before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Freeze: Wrap individual chicken pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Chicken can be frozen for up to 2 months without losing flavor or texture.
• Microwave Reheat: Place chicken on a microwave-safe plate, sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent drying. Heat in 30-second intervals, checking temperature until warmed through.
• Oven Reheat: Preheat oven to 350°F. Cover chicken with foil to retain moisture, warm for 10-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Drizzle extra teriyaki sauce to refresh flavor.

Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken FAQs

• Why use pineapple juice in the marinade?

Pineapple juice helps tenderize the chicken by breaking down proteins, adds a sweet tropical flavor, and creates a more complex taste profile that’s signature to Hawaiian-style cooking.

• Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs work great for this recipe because they’re more flavorful and stay juicier, absorbing the teriyaki marinade wonderfully while maintaining a tender texture.

• How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), which ensures the chicken is safe to eat and prevents overcooking.

Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 42 minutes (or overnight)
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savor Hawaiian-style teriyaki chicken, a delightful fusion of sweet and tangy flavors that whisks taste buds to island paradise. Tender chicken glazed with rich teriyaki sauce promises a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 1 tablespoon water

Aromatics and Garnish:

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions
• 1/2 cup canned pineapple chunks (optional)

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Instructions

1. Create a flavor-packed marinade by whisking together soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and pineapple juice in a large bowl.
2. Completely submerge chicken breasts in the marinade, ensuring thorough coating. Refrigerate for minimum 30 minutes, preferably overnight for deeper flavor infusion.
3. Remove chicken from marinade, carefully setting aside the liquid for sauce preparation. Pat chicken dry with paper towels to promote even browning.
4. Preheat grill or skillet to medium heat (around 375°F). Cook chicken for 6-7 minutes per side, achieving a golden-brown exterior and ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F.
5. Transfer reserved marinade to a saucepan. Whisk cornstarch with water to create a smooth slurry, then blend into the liquid.
6. Bring marinade to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 3-4 minutes until sauce transforms into a glossy, thickened teriyaki glaze.
7. Plate grilled chicken and generously drizzle with prepared teriyaki sauce. Optionally garnish with freshly chopped green onions and caramelized pineapple chunks for authentic Hawaiian presentation.

Notes

• Enhance flavor by using fresh ginger and garlic for a more vibrant and authentic Hawaiian taste.
• Tenderize chicken by piercing with a fork before marinating, allowing the marinade to penetrate deeper into the meat.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to maintain the rich umami profile.
• Prevent dry chicken by using a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F without overcooking, keeping the meat juicy and tender.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes (or overnight)
• Cook Time: 12-14 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Hawaiian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 820 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg