Description
Sizzling Hawaiian grilled teriyaki chicken delivers tropical paradise on a plate, blending sweet and savory flavors. Juicy marinated chicken promises a quick escape to island bliss with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Teriyaki Sauce:
- ½ cup soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup pineapple juice
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger (grated)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Garnish:
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
- 2 green onions (sliced)
Instructions
- Craft a vibrant teriyaki marinade by whisking together soy sauce, brown sugar, pineapple juice, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and cracked black pepper until sugar completely dissolves.
- Transfer chicken into a non-reactive container or sealed plastic bag, thoroughly coating each piece with the prepared marinade. Refrigerate for minimum 2 hours, allowing flavors to deeply penetrate the meat.
- Heat outdoor grill to medium-high temperature around 375-400F. Clean and lightly oil grates to prevent chicken from sticking during cooking.
- Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Position chicken pieces on preheated grill grates, maintaining consistent spacing between each piece.
- Cook chicken for approximately 6-7 minutes per side, rotating once to achieve beautiful crosshatch grill marks. Verify doneness by checking internal temperature reaches 165F using a meat thermometer.
- Optional: Transform remaining marinade into a glossy reduction by simmering in a small saucepan for 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened and syrupy.
- Plate grilled chicken attractively, optionally brushing with reduced marinade for extra flavor intensity. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions as a fresh, aromatic garnish.
Notes
- Transform marinade by boiling it completely to kill any bacteria from raw chicken, creating a safe and flavorful glaze.
- Swap chicken for tofu or tempeh to make this recipe vegetarian-friendly, maintaining the same delicious teriyaki flavor profile.
- Tenderize chicken before marinating by gently pounding it to an even thickness, ensuring uniform cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
- Prevent cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards and utensils for raw chicken, and always wash hands thoroughly during preparation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg