If you’re looking for a surefire way to bring a taste of the islands straight to your dinner table, you have to try this Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken. Super tender, sweet, and savory, each juicy bite is bursting with bold flavors from soy sauce, pineapple juice, fresh ginger, and a glossy, caramelized finish on the grill. It’s an absolute staple in Hawaiian cuisine Main Course.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken comes from its balance of simple, easy-to-find ingredients. Every single item in the lineup brings something wonderful to the table, from richness and color to aromatic depth and tropical sweetness—don’t skip a thing if you want this dish to really shine!
- Chicken thighs: These stay extra moist and juicy on the grill, soaking up all that incredible marinade.
- Soy sauce: The backbone of the marinade, adding deep umami and a gorgeous color to your chicken.
- Brown sugar: Keeps the sauce sweet and helps create that beautiful caramelized finish when grilled.
- Pineapple juice: Infuses a bright tropical tang and tenderizes the meat for that signature island flair.
- Mirin or rice vinegar: Adds just a hint of delicate acidity, balancing sweetness and bringing out bold flavors.
- Sesame oil: Gives the marinade a rich, nutty depth with a tiny splash.
- Garlic (minced): For a pop of irresistible aroma and depth.
- Fresh ginger (grated): Brings in zesty heat, elevating every forkful.
- Black pepper: Accentuates the savory notes without overpowering the sweetness.
- Cornstarch (optional): Perfect for thickening your teriyaki sauce if you like it extra glossy.
- Water (optional): Whisked with cornstarch to smooth out the sauce’s consistency.
- Sliced green onions and sesame seeds: The perfect finishing touch for color, crunch, and a pop of flavor.
How to Make Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Start by whisking together the soy sauce, brown sugar, pineapple juice, mirin, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and black pepper in a large bowl (or simply pour it all into a big zip-top bag for easier cleanup). Add the chicken thighs, making sure every piece is well-coated in that amazing mixture. Let it marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours, but if you can, leave it overnight—the extra time makes the chicken wonderfully flavorful and tender.
Step 2: Fire Up the Grill
Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium heat so it’s ready to go once your chicken has soaked up all those flavors. Remove the chicken from the marinade and let any excess drip off. Grill each thigh for 5 to 7 minutes per side, or until the chicken is nicely caramelized on the outside and cooked all the way through. That deep mahogany color and irresistible aroma means you did it right!
Step 3: Thicken the Sauce (Optional)
For Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken fans who love extra sauce, don’t toss out that marinade! Pour it into a saucepan and bring to a rolling boil. If you’d like your sauce thick and glossy, just whisk together cornstarch and water, then stir it in while the mixture simmers. It’ll thicken up in a couple of minutes—perfect for brushing on your chicken or drizzling over rice.
Step 4: Serve and Garnish
Once the chicken is grilled to perfection, brush it generously with your homemade teriyaki sauce or serve any extra sauce right on the side. Sprinkle sliced green onions and sesame seeds on top for freshness and crunch. The result tastes like a luau in every bite!
How to Serve Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken
Garnishes
Sprinkle plenty of sliced green onions and a hearty handful of sesame seeds right before serving—these not only add bright color but also a satisfying nutty crunch that pairs beautifully with the sweet-savory glaze. If you want to go the extra mile, a few bits of fresh pineapple make a fun, tropical touch.
Side Dishes
There’s nothing better than enjoying Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken with a side of fluffy steamed rice. It soaks up every last drop of sauce! Grilled pineapple, a fresh cucumber salad, or even some classic macaroni salad will complete the plate and make guests feel like they’re at a real Hawaiian cookout.
Creative Ways to Present
For something fun and festive, slice your chicken and serve it in lettuce wraps, or stuff it into Hawaiian rolls for mini sandwiches. Layer the chicken over a bowl piled with rice, roasted veggies, and grilled pineapple for an island-inspired bowl you’ll want again and again!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store your leftover Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken in an airtight container in the fridge. It stays flavorful and juicy for up to 4 days, making it perfect for meal prepping or a weekday lunch treat. Keep any extra sauce in a separate small container so it stays fresh too!
Freezing
This chicken freezes beautifully. Simply place cooked, cooled chicken thighs in a freezer-safe bag or container, and it’ll keep its flavor for up to 3 months. For best results, freeze the chicken and sauce separately and thaw them overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the chicken gently in the microwave, or cover and reheat in the oven at 325°F until steaming hot. If you have extra sauce, drizzle it over top before reheating to keep everything moist and bursting with that sweet-savory flavor.
FAQs
Can I substitute chicken breasts for thighs in Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken?
Absolutely! Chicken breasts will be a bit leaner and cook a little faster, so just be careful not to overcook them. Thighs stay juicier, but breasts work fine, especially if you don’t mind trimming the grilling time by a couple of minutes.
How long should I marinate the chicken?
For the best flavor, marinate your chicken for at least 2 hours. If you have more time, overnight is fantastic—the longer the soak, the deeper and more tender the flavor. Just don’t exceed 24 hours, as the acidity will start to affect the texture.
What can I use instead of mirin?
If you can’t find mirin, rice vinegar works well, or use a splash of dry sherry or apple cider vinegar mixed with a pinch of sugar. The goal is a subtle, gentle tartness that balances all the sweetness and saltiness in the marinade.
Can I make Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken without a grill?
Definitely! A grill pan on the stovetop works great, or you can broil the marinated chicken in the oven for similar caramelization. Even pan-searing in a cast iron skillet will yield a delicious, sticky result if you’re short on grilling equipment.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
As written, it’s not gluten-free due to the soy sauce. To make it gluten-free, simply use tamari or a certified gluten-free soy sauce—everything else in this Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken recipe is naturally gluten free!
Final Thoughts
If you want a burst of sunshine on your dinner table, give Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken a try. It’s a fabulous mix of sweet, savory, and tropical flavors that’s sure to put smiles on faces and bring everyone back for seconds. Get ready for rave reviews—there’s truly nothing like this taste of aloha!
Print
Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus marinating time)
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes (plus marinating)
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the tropical flavors of Hawaii with this delicious Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken recipe. Tender chicken thighs marinated in a sweet and savory sauce, grilled to perfection, and served with a luscious teriyaki glaze.
Ingredients
Marinade:
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup soy sauce
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup mirin (or rice vinegar)
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Optional for Thickening:
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
Garnish:
- sliced green onions
- sesame seeds
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, pineapple juice, mirin, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and black pepper. Marinate chicken for at least 2 hours.
- Grill the Chicken: Grill marinated chicken for 5–7 minutes per side until cooked through and caramelized.
- Prepare the Sauce: Boil the remaining marinade in a saucepan. Thicken with cornstarch mixture if desired.
- Finish and Serve: Brush grilled chicken with sauce and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
- Serve with steamed rice and grilled pineapple for a complete Hawaiian meal.
- Chicken thighs are recommended for tenderness, but chicken breasts can be substituted.
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