Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken
Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken is a delicious dish featuring juicy, tender chicken thighs glazed with a homemade tropical teriyaki sauce. Balancing sweet pineapple juice and brown sugar with savory soy sauce and fresh garlic and ginger, this recipe is easy to prepare, family-friendly, and perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, bringing a taste of the islands straight to your table.
- Author: Maria
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes (including marinating)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken
- 6 boneless, skin-on chicken thighs
Teriyaki Marinade
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
Garnish
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Other
- 1–2 tablespoons cooking oil (for searing)
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and rice vinegar until the sugar dissolves and the mixture forms a smooth glaze.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in a shallow dish or resealable bag and pour the marinade over them. Let them marinate for at least 30 minutes, preferably 2 hours, to absorb the sweet and savory flavors.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from the marinade (reserve the marinade) and sear skin-side down first. Cook each side for about 5-6 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Simmer in the Sauce: Pour the reserved marinade into the pan and bring it to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for about 10 minutes, turning the chicken occasionally so the sauce thickens and coats the meat.
- Finish and Garnish: When the sauce is glossy and the chicken is fully cooked, remove from heat. Sprinkle chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds over the chicken before serving.
Notes
- Pat chicken dry before searing for a crispier skin.
- Marinating longer enhances flavor but 30 minutes works in a pinch.
- Use fresh garlic and ginger for the best authentic taste.
- Cook on medium heat to prevent burning the sugars in the sauce.
- Reserve and boil marinade to avoid contamination from raw chicken.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 900 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: 85 mg
Keywords: Hawaiian teriyaki chicken, sweet and savory chicken, pineapple chicken, homemade teriyaki sauce, tropical chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner