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Flavorful Grilled Teriyaki Chicken with Pineapple

grilled teriyaki chicken with pineapple - featured image

A quick and easy grilled teriyaki chicken recipe paired with caramelized fresh pineapple, perfect for summer dinners and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds / 680g)
  • 1 small fresh pineapple, peeled and cut into rings or chunks
  • ⅓ cup (80ml) soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger (or 1 teaspoon ground ginger)
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 2 stalks green onions, sliced thin for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, sesame oil, water, and black pepper until sugar dissolves (about 3 minutes).
  2. Place chicken breasts in a resealable bag or shallow dish and pour marinade over them. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 4 hours (1 hour recommended).
  3. Peel and slice pineapple into ½-inch thick rings or chunks; set aside (about 5 minutes).
  4. Preheat grill to medium-high heat (around 375°F / 190°C). Oil grates lightly to prevent sticking.
  5. Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes per side, flipping once, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Watch for grill marks and caramelization; move to cooler part of grill if flare-ups occur.
  6. Grill pineapple slices for 2-3 minutes per side until caramelized and slightly charred.
  7. Transfer chicken to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes. Arrange grilled pineapple on top or alongside. Garnish with sliced green onions if desired.

Notes

Do not over-marinate chicken to avoid mushy texture; 1-4 hours max is ideal. Control flare-ups caused by sugars in marinade by moving chicken to indirect heat or using a spray bottle of water. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). Let chicken rest 5 minutes before serving. For extra sauce, reserve some marinade before adding chicken and simmer to thicken. If no grill is available, use a grill pan or broiler indoors, watching closely to avoid burning.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled teriyaki chicken, pineapple chicken, summer recipe, easy grilled chicken, teriyaki marinade, barbecue chicken, tropical chicken recipe