Thank you McCormick® for sponsoring these Teriyaki Chicken Tacos post. All opinions are my own.
Fire up your grill for Teriyaki Chicken Tacos smothered in the BEST easy teriyaki sauce and piled high with sweet and smoky Grilled Pineapple Pear Salsa all drizzled with silky Pineapple Lime Crema! Company worthy. Everyday easy.
Move over Chili Lime Chicken Tacos, there’s a new taco in town. Last year for Memorial Day, I shared my Chili Lime Chicken Tacos with Grilled Pineapple Salsa – and they have remained my favorite taco recipe since then. I’ve loved the other taco recipes I’ve posted in between but they did not bump the Chili Lime Chicken Tacos from their coveted pedestal. Until now.
These Teriyaki Chicken Tacos are savory, sweet, spicy, tangy and everything in between to become your new favorite tacos!
Looking for More Teriyaki Recipes?
- One Pot Teriyaki Chicken and Pineapple Rice
- Teriyaki Meatballs
- Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry,
- Sheet Pan Teriyaki Salmon
- Teriyaki Chicken Salad with Pineapple Ginger Dressing
- Sweet Chili Teriyaki Chicken
- Teriyaki Chicken Bowls
- Honey Teriyaki Chicken Pineapple Sandwich
- Sheet Pan Teriyaki Shrimp, Pineapple and Snap Peas
The symphony of textures starts with a bed of rice layered with Monterey Jack Cheese and then topped with the show stopping teriyaki chicken. Now teriyaki chicken (and subsequently teriyaki chicken tacos), are only as good as the teriyaki marinade/sauce – so the teriyaki sauce better be jaw dropping delicious. To create such encore worthy flavor, I used McCormick® Grill Mates® 7 Spice Teriyaki Single Use Marinade – my jaw is still on the floor.
If you have followed Carlsbad Cravings for any time at all, you know I LOVE spices AKA bold flavors. So to be honest, before I tasted Grill Mates® Teriyaki Sauce, I was strongly tempted to doctor it up a bit but I decided I would try it at least once exactly as is. I should have known, after all, it is McCormick,the king of spices – the marinade was perfect! The chicken was tender, juicy and packed with multi-dimensional flavors – my kind of obsessive worthy chicken!
And obsessive worthy easy. Simply reserve ¼ cup of the teriyaki sauce to toss the chicken in after grilling (stovetop directions also included) and marinate the chicken in the remaining sauce for 30 minutes up to overnight. That’s it! Easy and delicious and just in time for warm weather, stress free grilling!
To pair with this show stopping teriyaki chicken, I wanted something bright and fresh with a nice crunch that would add a sweet, tangy and slightly spicy punch, so I paired it with Grilled Pineapple Pear Salsa. HEAVEN. I already drooled over the salsa HERE, so I won’t wax too effusive, but let me just say this salsa with its caramelized pineapple and onions, sweet and slightly crunchy pears that add a nice Asian flair, smoky red bell peppers and jalapeno with hints of lime, cilantro, cumin and ginger can stand alone in its deliciousness but makes these Teriyaki Chicken Tacos that much better. As in top spot pedestal better.
Lastly, these tacos are drizzled with super creamy Pineapple Lime Crema which is a simple mixing of pineapple yogurt, lime juice and a touch of mayonnaise – so creamy, sweet, tangy and just so perfect for Teriyaki Chicken Tacos.
If you love everything Tacos, be sure to check out some of my Baja Fish Tacos, Blackened Fish Tacos, Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos, Baked Fiesta Ranch Chicken Tacos, Buffalo Chicken Tacos, Thai Chicken Tacos, Honey Chipotle Chicken Tacos and on and on…
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Teriyaki Chicken Tacos with Grilled Pineapple Pear Salsa
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Ingredients
- 1 McCormick® Grill Mates® 7 Spice Teriyaki Single Use Marinade (or sub your favorite)
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 4-6 flour tortillas taco-sized
- 2 cups shredded Montery Jack Cheese
- 1 1/4 cups cooked rice
- 1 Recipe Grilled Pineapple Pear Salsa
Pineapple Lime Crema
- 5.3 oz pineapple yogurt
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1/2 tablespoon lime juice (or more to taste)
Instructions
- Chicken Marinade: Reserve ¼ cup Teriyaki Marinade for after grilling. Pound chicken to an even thickness and poke several times on each side with a fork. Add chicken to a large freezer bag or shallow dish and add remaining Teriyaki Marinade; toss to evenly coat chicken. Marinate 30 minutes at room temperature or up to overnight in the refrigerator.
- Grilled Pineapple Pear Salsa: Meanwhile prepare Salsa according to directions. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Pineapple Lime Crema: Meanwhile, whisk all of the Pineapple Lime Crema ingredients together in a small bowl. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Chicken Grilling Directions: If chicken has been refrigerated, let sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes (time permitting). Meanwhile, grease and preheat grill to medium heat, 375-450°F.
- Grill chicken undisturbed for for 6-7 minutes per side, or until chicken is cooked through. (An inserted thermometer should read 155 degrees F.) Remove chicken from grill and let rest 5 minutes before slicing into thin strips.
- Chicken Stovetop Directions: If chicken has been refrigerated, let sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes (time permitting).
- Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Once very hot, add chicken and cook, undisturbed for 3-5 minutes, or until nicely browned (or blackened if you prefer) on one side. Turn chicken over, cover, and reduce heat to medium. Cook for approximately 5-7 more minutes (depending on thickness of chicken), or until chicken is cooked through.
- Remove chicken and let rest 5 minutes before slicing into thin strips.
- Assemble: Toss chicken strips in reserved ¼ cup Teriyaki Sauce until evenly coated. Divide rice evenly among tortillas followed by cheese. Melt cheese on rice in the microwave or stovetop then top with Teriyaki Chicken followed by Grilled Pineapple Pear Salsa. Drizzle with Pineapple Lime Crema.
Notes
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Elizabeth Gawalek says
I made this tonight and WOW! All the flavors come together wonderfully. Everyone loved and rated it 5-star.
Thanks for a phenomenal recipe posting!
Jen says
You’re so welcome Elizabeth, I’m thrilled it was a hit with the entire fam!
Lorraine Parks says
These recipes look delicious! Can’t wait to try all the recipes! Thank you for sharing!!
Jen says
Welcome to my site Lorraine! I hope you enjoy exploring and find many new favorites!
Leila Hays says
Hi! I can’t find any pineapple yogurt for the crema. What can I use instead?
Jen says
You can try any other fruit like mango or peach or even coconut.
Debbie says
Will Greek yogurt be ok
Jen says
Yes! Greek yogurt can almost always be subbed for sour cream, you just have to expect it taste a little tangier.
Kristen says
These are hands down the most amazing tacos ever!! This from someone who makes a variety of taco recipes, at least 1 per week. LOVE LOVE LOVE Thank you
Jen says
Thanks for such high praise Kristen, I love hearing these tacos were such a hit!
D says
Could I freeze the chicken in the marinade then just defrost?
Jen says
Yes!
Deb says
This is one of my favorite recipes. I’ve made it a few times and it never disappoints! The grilled pineapple and pear salsa is so perfect for these tacos and the crema is the perfect final touch. There’s a lot of prep work but so worth it. I’ve saved and made a lot of your recipes…guess we have the same taste!
Jen says
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment Deb and for making my recipes! It’s always so fun when you find a foodie kindred spirit!
Michele says
I absolutely love these! Best tacos ever! Can you tell me what’s best to serve with them?
Jen says
Thank you so much Michele! We love them with a side of rice and roasted veggies or if you’re feeling more ambitious than https://carlsbadcravings.com/ramen-noodle-salad/#wprm-recipe-container-47956 is amazing!
Angie says
I made this tonight and it was a hit! I was disappointed that I did not double the recipe. I tried the Crema after I mixed it and did not care for it, however; I did put it on my taco and all the flavors came together! The Crema really pulled it all together!
Jen says
Yay! I am so glad that it all came together in the end!
Helen Mercer says
Absolutely Amazing!! I followed the recipe exactl we made one of our pastors & wife to drop off. 5 Star meal. We all loved the leftovers for lunch the next day. Quick ? I’d like to try this with flank steak. Any thoughts? Thank you so very much. Helen M
Jen says
Yay Helen! I’m so glad that it turned out delicious for you! You are so kind to share the love! I realize this is a long time coming, which I apologize for, but you most definitely can use flank steak! I hope you continue to have wonderful results from my recipes!
Vicki L says
Delicious! I prepared on the stovetop, and omitted the rice and used street taco tortillas. I also could not find pineapple yogurt, so I used sour cream with fresh pineapple juice instead. Can’t wait for leftovers for lunch tomorrow!
Jen says
Very creative substituting! I am so glad that it was a hit!!
Cel says
Hi! I couldnt find that specific teriyaki mix and am marinating it now with a teriyaki cooking sauce overnight. I hope it works. Can I do this in an instant pot?
Jen says
Hope you enjoy! I haven’t tried it in the instant pot but I’m sure it would work! You can try cooking it on high for 6 minutes, and release the pressure. You’ll know it’s ready if the thermometer reads 165 degrees F at the thickest part of the chicken.