Easy Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken with Rice dripping with flavor and cooked all in the same skillet!
Teriyaki Chicken + pineapple + rice = Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken AKA a match made in heaven. The marinade doubles as the Glaze (no double work) for incredibly juicy chicken with flavor through and through – not just on the surface. The Teriyaki Glaze seeps into the rice for slightly tangy, sweet, teriyaki pineapple rice that perfectly compliments your chicken. It doesn’t get any better.
Our favorite Teriyaki Pineapple Chicken
Teriyaki Chicken has to be one of the most beloved Asian foods of all time. Its savory, slightly sweet, and just so satisfying. And even more satisfying when its made with pineapple all in one pot to create Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken, my happy place.
In Seattle Washington, they love their teriyaki chicken. In 2010, there were over 83 restaurants with the word teriyaki in it. It became the signature cuisine, in lieu of traditional fast food options.
I am sure they have lots of great variations of teriyaki in Seattle but because we can’t all fly to Seattle when we want teriyaki chicken, I am giddy to bring you THIS Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Recipe bursting with flavor to perfectly compliment your palate, and your busy lifestyle, and your dislike of dishes, and above all, your love of teriyaki chicken, this teriyaki chicken. Happy Teriyaking!
Why you’ll love this Pineapple Chicken Teriyaki Recipe
- ONE POT WONDER: The chicken, rice and glaze all cook in one pan for loads of flavor and only one pan to wash!
- FLAVORFUL CHICKEN: The chicken is marinated for one hour (or more if you like) in what readers call the “best teriyaki chicken marinade!”
- PINEAPPLE RICE: The rice is cooked with crushed pineapple its juices, soaking up the sweet and tangy flavor.
PANTRY FRIENDLY: You probably have everything you need to make it right now!
What you’ll need for Teriyaki Chicken and Rice
Making Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken at home is EASY and only requires a few pantry staples. You can also customize it to fit YOUR personal preference whether that be more sweet, more savory, or more heat.
Traditional Teriyaki Sauce is equal parts, soy and mirin (a sweet cooking sake) and sugar to taste. Another version of simple teriyaki is equal parts soy sauce to granulated sugar which is what I have used in this Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken recipe.
- chicken: as previously mentioned, you can either use 4 small boneless skinless chicken breasts or 4 boneless chicken thighs. I have included cooking times for each in the recipe.
- rice: use long-grain white rice as brown rice will require different cooking times and ratios.
- pineapple: use one 20 oz. can crushed pineapple.
- olive oil: you may substitute with your favorite cooking oil such as avocado oil or coconut oil.
- soy sauce: make sure you use reduced sodium soy sauce or your Teriyaki Chicken will be too salty.
- sugar: is necessary to balance the soy sauce and the vinegar. You may substitute with some honey, or brown sugar but it will create a slightly different flavor profile.
- apple cider vinegar: provides the fruity, tangy balance to the soy sauce. You may substitute with rice wine vinegar or white vinegar if that’s all you have on hand. White vinegar has more acidic than apple cider vinegar, so only use 3 tablespoons.
- garlic: one teaspoon garlic powder will do the trick.
- ginger: adds a warm spicy, almost pepper taste that cuts through the sweetness. You will need 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger.
- salt and pepper: enhance all of the flavors.
- Sriracha: you can use sriracha or sambal oelek. Use more or less to taste.
WHAT CHICKEN IS BEST FOR Pineapple TERIYAKI CHICKEN?
You have two options when it comes to what chicken you would like to use for this Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken recipe:
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs: are dark meat and therefore inherently juicier and more forgiving as far as cooking time. It is hard to dry out chicken thighs, so although the pictures show chicken breasts, I actually recommend chicken thighs.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: are leaner but still emerge wonderfully juicy from the marinade. If you use chicken breasts, take care they are pounded to an even thickness so they cook evenly. Chicken breasts vary wildly in size, so adjust cooking time accordingly.
How to Make Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken
- Whisk marinade ingredients together. To make this irresistibly delicious Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken, whisk together your Teriyaki Sauce ingredients of soy sauce, sugar, cider vinegar, ginger, garlic, Sriracha and cornstarch and remove some to a freezer bag with your chicken to marinate one hour up to overnight – the longer, the better. The marinade alone makes this chicken super tender and flavorful and allows you to use chicken breasts (although you are welcome to use skinless chicken thighs) without loosing juiciness.
- Reserve remaining marinade for Teriyaki Sauce. The remaining Teriyaki Sauce creates a luscious glaze by simmering it in your pot for a couple minute. You then remove the glaze, brown your moist chicken and then its time for pineapple rice!
- Cook rice with crushed pineapple. Your rice is simmered in a can of crushed pineapple with its juice and water so the rice drinks up the slightly tangy, sweet, pineapple essence, perfectly complimenting the soy based teriyaki chicken which you nestle in your rice to finish cooking, periodically basting with your glaze, so the sticky, flavorful teriyaki glaze seeps further into the drool-worthy chicken and glides down to permeate the rice to create teriyaki pineapple rice. mind. blown.
How to make Teriyaki Pineapple Chicken in advance
You can prepare elements of this recipe in advance so when it’s time to cook, all the prep is done! The chicken can be marinated up to 12 hours ahead of time, then brought to room temperature before cooking. The crushed pineapple can be combined with water and refrigerated. The glaze can be thickened and refrigerated. Microwave glaze before using, stirring in a little water, as needed, to thin.
Pineapple Chicken Teriyaki Recipe tips
- Pound chicken: The chicken breasts should be small to medium, pounded to an even thickness. If they are too large, they will not cook in the same time as the rice.
- Rice: White rice should always be rinsed and drained before using, otherwise, it releases too much starch and can become mushy.
- Use crushed pineapple in juice: Don’t use pineapple in heavy syrup!
- Fresh aromatics: You may use fresh ginger and garlic in the marinade instead of powders. You will need 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic and ½ tablespoon minced fresh ginger.
- Bring chicken to room temperature: The chicken can be marinated up to 12 hours in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before cooking so it cooks evenly, about one hour.
- Use a nonstick skillet: The rice can stick and burn on the bottom (although I love crunchy brown bits) if you use a cast iron skillet due to the sticky glaze and sugar in the pineapple juice.
- Don’t burn the glaze: Stir constantly while thickening. Thicken a little less than your desired consistency because it will continue to thicken upon standing. If it becomes too thick, you can whisk in a little water.
- Bring water to a boil before adding rice: This is crucial to help it cook evenly.
- Don’t overcook the chicken: Cook chicken to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F, it will continue to rise to 165 F while resting. If the chicken finishes cooking before the rice, remove it from the skillet while the rice finishes cooking.
What to serve with Teriyaki Chicken and Rice
Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken is fantastic served with any sautéed, roasted or grilled veggies you have on hand. Broccoli, snow peas, peppers, are great vegetables to add to make it healthier and well balanced. But don’t stop there, here are some more ideas to spice up your Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken:
- Stir Fry Veggies. You can stir fry any veggies your heart desires from broccoli, to bell peppers, to mushrooms, to carrots, etc. or you can serve with roasted veggies such as Roasted Broccoli, Roasted Broccolini, Roasted Cauliflower, Roasted Carrots, Sauteed Brussels Spouts, or Roasted Squash.
- Shortcut Veggies. You an can purchase pre-chopped veggies perfect for stir fries or use a frozen stir-fry blend or steam-in-the-bag microwavable frozen veggies.
- Salad. You can serve Teriyaki Chicken with Crunchy Asian Salad, Chinese Salad, Asian Pineapple Salad or add the chicken directly to the salad to make Teriyaki Chicken Salad.
- Soups: Miso Soup, Thai Noodle Soup, Curried Butternut Squash Soup, Thai Soup
- Fruit: Grilled Pineapple, Summer Fruit Salad, Perfect Fruit Salad, Creamy Grape Salad, Pina Colada Fruit Salad
- Appetizers. For an Asian feast, Teriyaki Chicken is delicious with Wontons, Asian Salad, Potstickers, Wonton Soup and Chinese Chicken Egg Rolls.
How to store Pineapple Chicken and Rice
Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for 4-5 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or in the microwave.
Teriyaki Chicken and Rice Recipe FAQs
Teriyaki is used to describe any chicken, beef, fish, etc. marinated in or served with teriyaki sauce. Teriyaki sauce is typically made of soy sauce, sake, sugar and ginger. So essentially, it is a dish, flavor, and sauce all with an interesting history.
The word “Teriyaki” is Japanese, and describes the method of cooking: yaki- means grilled, and teri refers to a shine given from the sugar, so the direct simplistic translation is “shine-grilled.”
Although the word teriyaki is of Japanese origin, teriyaki cooking is actually tied to Hawaiian roots. It is believed that Japanese immigrants in Hawaii used the local foods there and came up with teriyaki, and if you’ve been to a Hawaiian barbecue, you’ll know the deliciousness I’m talking about.
The first Hawaiian/Japanese people used pineapple juice as their sugar and acid to get the shine while Japanese soy sauce remained the main ingredient. So teriyaki chicken has its origins in japan … and Hawaii. It is a blend of two great cultures and one of the best blends of simple ingredients in the world!
The chicken in Teriyaki Chicken is very healthy. It is a lean protein which means it doesn’t have very much fat which can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle and even lose weight all while helping to sustain your muscles. Chicken is also full of calcium and phosphorous which helps strengthen your bones and reduce the risk of arthritis.
To keep your Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken on the lighter side, make sure to cook it on the stove, grill or in the oven as opposed to deep frying. As far as teriyaki sauce, soy sauce is quite high in sodium so take care to use a low sodium soy sauce.
Yes, pineapple juice contains an enzyme called bromelain, which can help tenderize chicken and other meats. Bromelain works by breaking down proteins, which can help to tenderize tougher cuts of meat and make them more tender and juicy. However, it’s essential to use pineapple juice in moderation and not marinate the chicken for too long, as prolonged exposure to bromelain can also lead to mushy or overly soft meat. Typically, marinating chicken in pineapple juice for 30 minutes to 2 hours should provide tenderizing benefits without compromising the texture of the chicken.
The main difference between teriyaki marinade and sauce lies in their intended uses and consistency:
Teriyaki Marinade: Teriyaki marinade is a mixture of soy sauce, sugar (often brown sugar or honey), ginger, garlic, and sometimes other ingredients like sesame oil or mirin. Its primary purpose is to flavor and tenderize meats before cooking. Teriyaki marinade is thinner in consistency and is used to coat meat for a period of time (usually 30 minutes to several hours) to infuse flavor and help tenderize it.
Teriyaki Sauce: Teriyaki sauce is a thicker, more concentrated mixture made from similar ingredients as the marinade but typically includes additional ingredients like cornstarch or other thickeners to create a sauce-like consistency. Teriyaki sauce is used as a finishing sauce or glaze for cooked meats or vegetables. It’s brushed onto the food during or after cooking to add a glossy coating and a burst of sweet and savory flavor.
Looking for More Teriyaki Recipes?
- Teriyaki Chicken Tacos with Pineapple Pear Salsa
- 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
WANT TO TRY THIS Pineapple TERIYAKI CHICKEN RECIPE?
PIN IT TO YOUR ASIAN, CHICKEN, DINNER or ONE POT BOARD TO SAVE FOR LATER!
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One Pot Pineapple Chicken and Rice
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Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice
- 1 20 oz. can crushed pineapple
- olive oil
Teriyaki Sauce/Glaze
- 1/2 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon sriracha
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Whisk together Teriyaki Sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Add ⅓ cup of this sauce plus 1 tablespoon olive oil and chicken to a freezer bag/shallow dish and marinate 1 hour up to overnight. Refrigerate remaining Teriyaki Sauce separately.
- When ready to cook, strain pineapple juice from crushed pineapple and add water to strained juice to equal 3 ½ cups liquid (“Pineapple Water”). Set aside.
- Stir reserved Teriyaki Sauce and add to large skillet (nonstick works best). Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer until slightly thickened, stirring constantly (glaze will continue to thicken upon standing). Remove Teriyaki Glaze to same bowl it was refrigerated in.
- Wipe skillet (doesn’t have to be thorough) and heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over high heat. Let excess marinade drip off chicken and add to skillet. Cook over medium high heat for 5 minutes on each side (3 minutes on each side for thighs) or until nicely browned (will not be all the way cooked through) and remove to a plate.
- Wipe skillet and add 1 tablespoon olive oil and Pineapple Water. Bring to a simmer then stir in crushed pineapple and rice. Cover, reduce to medium low and cook for 12 minutes. Stir rice and nestle chicken on top and brush with Teriyaki Glaze. Cover and continue to cook for an additional 8-12 minutes or until rice and chicken are cooked through.
- Brush chicken with additional Teriyaki Glaze and season rice with freshly cracked salt and pepper. Add sriracha for some heat if desired.
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Jim says
Hi! I never leave comments on recipes, and we found this one years ago so I hope that you might see this, but I just wanted to say that this is probably my favorite dinner. Period. It’s absolutely phenomenal. Sorry that it took so long to acknowledge it’s sheer greatness. Keep up the great work and thank you for blessing my life with this incredible dish!
Jen says
Thank you for your incredibly kind comment Jim and for making my day! I’m thrilled to hear this recipe is a family favorite!
Parbeen Uddin says
Hi there. I want to follow the teryaki chicken recipe but could you rephrase this :
“When ready to cook, strain pineapple juice from crushed pineapple and add water to strained juice to equal 3 1/2 cups liquid” (“Pineapple Water”). Set aside.
Do you mean to mix strained pineapple juice 1/2 cups X3 and water 1/2 cups X3 together?
Jen says
Hi Parbeen, it means to add water to the strained pineapple juice until it equals 3 1/2 cups total liquid.
Parbeen Uddin says
Im so sorry! Back again! I’m British so not used to US measurements of cooking… this is really embarrassing but i want to get it right. So when you say 3 1/2 cups -do you mean 1/2 cups three times or
3 WHOLE cups and then 1/2 cup?
Jen says
No reason to be embarrassed! I mean the latter – 3 WHOLE cups and then 1/2 cup
Parbeen Uddin says
Omg i just realised you would use dry cups for dry ingredients and the wet cup for wet ingredients! If i didnt know this i would’ve used the dry cup for measuring water!
Jen says
Not sure what you mean by this? We use the same measurements 1 cup/16 oz. for wet and dry ingredients.
Anna says
Hi! I’m looking for recipes to prep before my first baby comes! This looks delicious! Is there any way to prep this and make it a freezer meal? If not, do you have any suggestions of your other recipes to prepare and freeze? Thank you!! Also, my husband and I have been LOVING your recipes!!!! Thank goodness I found you!!
Jen says
I have been working my way through a backlog of comments and see yours somehow got lost in the mix! I am so glad that you’ve found so many recipes you enjoy! I’m not sure how this recipe would freeze, but these other recipes freeze great! https://carlsbadcravings.com/turkey-meatballs/ https://carlsbadcravings.com/million-dollar-macaroni-cheese-casserole-recipe/ https://carlsbadcravings.com/one-pot-italian-chicken-and-orzo-recipe/ Hope you and your family are well!
Kristina says
The best part of the pineapple rice was the charred bits at the bottom! This was also one of the best teriyaki sauces I’ve tasted.
Jen says
Yessss, my fav too! When I make coconut rice I always add less liquid just so I can enjoy those crispy bits! I’m so pleased you loved the teriyaki sauce too!
Linda says
Is it 1-1/2 cups rice or just 1/2 cup rice? One cup too much or too little makes a big difference!
Jen says
It’s 1 1/2 cups rice, enjoy!
Sharclay says
This is delicious! I will definitely make this again!
Jen says
Thanks so much Sharclay!
Joy says
Love this recipe! So flavorful and quick and easy. No boring chicken dinner here….and marinade for several hours is the key! Thanks for a great meal my family enjoys!
Jen says
Thank you so much, Joy! I am so glad your family enjoys this recipe! I hope you are having a wonderful weekend and find more recipes to enjoy!