Tropical Island Magic: Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

Sizzling aromas of tangy teriyaki chicken waft through the kitchen, transporting you straight to the warm, sunny beaches of Hawaii.

This mouthwatering teriyaki chicken recipe delivers authentic island flavors that dance on your palate.

Tender chicken pieces marinate in a perfectly balanced sauce that blends sweet and savory notes.

Rich, glossy glaze caramelizes beautifully, creating a golden-brown exterior that promises incredible taste.

Each bite tells a story of traditional Hawaiian cuisine, combining simple ingredients with bold, vibrant flavors.

The recipe comes together effortlessly, making it a go-to meal for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend gatherings.

Let’s find out this delectable dish and let your taste buds experience a tropical culinary adventure.

How to Make Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken

• Flavor Fusion Marinade

Create a tasty blend of soy sauce, water, and sugar, whisking until smooth. Crush fresh garlic and slice ginger into the mixture, allowing the aromatics to mingle and develop a rich base of flavor.

• Marinating Magic

Submerge chicken thighs completely in the marinade, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Seal in a container and let the chicken rest in the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat for maximum deliciousness.

• Grill Preparation

Fire up the grill to high heat, creating the perfect searing environment for achieving those beautiful caramelized marks that bring out incredible depth in the chicken.

• Cooking Perfection

Grill the marinated chicken thighs, carefully turning to create a gorgeous char on each side. Cook until the meat is fully done, with internal temperature reaching safe levels and exterior showing beautiful golden-brown coloration.

• Steaming Finale

Transfer grilled chicken to a covered pot with fresh teriyaki sauce. Steam gently to lock in moisture and enhance the overall flavor profile, creating incredibly tender meat that falls apart with each bite.

• Serving Presentation

Arrange the succulent chicken on a stunning platter. Sprinkle with freshly chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve alongside fluffy steamed rice or grilled vegetables for a complete meal that transports taste buds to the Hawaiian islands.

Tips to Perfect Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken

• Swap regular sugar with honey or brown sugar for a deeper, more complex sweetness that caramelizes beautifully during grilling.
• Let chicken sit in the teriyaki mixture for up to 48 hours to develop an incredibly rich, intense flavor profile that penetrates deep into the meat.
• Use indirect heat zones on the grill to prevent burning while ensuring the chicken remains juicy and perfectly cooked with beautiful char marks.
• No grill? No problem! Bake the marinated chicken in a preheated 400°F oven for 25-30 minutes or use a heavy cast-iron skillet for indoor stovetop cooking that delivers similar caramelized results.
• Experiment with boneless chicken breasts, pork tenderloin, or firm tofu as delicious alternatives that absorb the teriyaki marinade equally well for different dietary preferences.

How to Serve Hawaiian Teriyaki Chicken Well

• Tropical Luau Plate: Arrange the teriyaki chicken on a large platter with colorful pineapple chunks, creating a vibrant Hawaiian-inspired feast that transports you straight to island paradise.
• Fusion Rice Bowl Delight: Slice the chicken and serve over coconut jasmine rice, topped with quick-pickled cucumber ribbons and a sprinkle of furikake for a modern twist on classic teriyaki.
• Summer BBQ Companion: Pair the grilled chicken with a fresh mango salsa, grilled corn on the cob, and a crisp Asian-inspired coleslaw for a complete backyard barbecue experience that celebrates bold, summery flavors.
• Quick Lunch Wrap Magic: Shred the chicken and wrap it in a warm tortilla with crisp lettuce, quick-pickled carrots, and a drizzle of extra teriyaki sauce for an easy, portable meal that packs a flavor punch.

Storing Hawaiian Teriyaki Chicken Meals

• Refrigerator Revival: Store leftover chicken in airtight containers for up to 4 days, keeping the meat moist and delicious. Seal tightly to lock in those amazing teriyaki flavors and prevent any unwanted odors from seeping in.
• Freezer Friendly Strategy: Wrap individual portions in freezer-safe bags or containers, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 3 months, creating quick and easy future meals that retain their original juicy texture and taste.
• Reheating Magic: Warm chicken gently in a skillet with a splash of extra teriyaki sauce to prevent drying out. Alternatively, use the microwave with a damp paper towel covering the meat to maintain moisture and revive the original succulence.
• Meal Prep Champion: Prepare a double batch during cooking to create multiple meals throughout the week. Slice cold chicken over salads, stuff into wraps, or quickly reheat for a fast protein-packed lunch that keeps your taste buds excited and hunger satisfied.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 396 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients for Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs: Perfect cut with rich flavor and tenderness, selecting fresh thighs ensures juicy and succulent meat that absorbs marinade beautifully.

• Garlic, Ginger Root: Powerful aromatic duo that adds depth and traditional Hawaiian-style zest, freshly crushed garlic and thinly sliced ginger create an authentic and vibrant taste profile.

• Granulated Sugar, Soy Sauce, Water: Classic teriyaki combination delivering sweet, salty, and glossy sauce that caramelizes beautifully during cooking, selecting high-quality soy sauce intensifies overall flavor complexity and ensures authentic Hawaiian taste experience.

Tools for Cooking Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken

• Large bowl: Essential for mixing marinade ingredients and combining flavors.
• Measuring cups/spoons: Precise for measuring soy sauce, water, and sugar.
• Cutting board: Needed for slicing ginger and chopping green onions.
• Sharp knife: Perfect for thinly slicing ginger and cutting chicken.
• Grill or grill pan: Key tool for achieving that delicious char on chicken thighs.
• Tongs: Great for flipping and handling chicken safely during grilling.
• Pot with lid: Used for steaming chicken after initial grilling.
• Meat thermometer: Crucial for checking chicken's internal temperature.
• Serving platter: Attractive for presenting the final dish.

Succulent Teriyaki Chicken

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4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Homemade Hawaiian style teriyaki chicken brings island flavors to dinner tables with sweet and savory notes. Marinades blend pineapple juice, soy sauce, and ginger for an authentic island experience you can enjoy with rice and grilled vegetables.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 lbs (1.36 kg) chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
• 1 cup (200 g) sugar, granulated
• 1 cup (240 ml) soy sauce
• 1 cup (240 ml) water
• 5 cloves garlic, mashed
• 2 to 3 slices ginger root, thin and cut lengthwise

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Instructions

1. Marinade Preparation: Whisk soy sauce, water, and granulated sugar until dissolved, creating a smooth, glossy base that will infuse the chicken with rich, sweet flavor.
2. Flavor Enhancement: Mince garlic and ginger, incorporating these aromatic ingredients into the marinade to build a complex, layered taste profile that defines Hawaiian-style teriyaki.
3. Marinating Process: Fully submerge chicken thighs in the prepared mixture, ensuring complete coverage. Store in a sealed container or resealable bag, then refrigerate for 24-72 hours to allow deep flavor penetration.
4. Grill Preparation: Heat grill to high temperature (450-500°F), creating the perfect environment for caramelization and achieving those signature char marks that elevate the dish.
5. Cooking Technique: Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Grill for 6-8 minutes per side, rotating to create impressive crosshatch patterns and ensuring even cooking.
6. Safety and Moisture Check: Confirm internal temperature reaches 165°F using a meat thermometer. Transfer to a covered pot with additional teriyaki sauce, steaming on the grill for 10-12 minutes to maximize tenderness.
7. Resting and Serving: Allow chicken to rest 3-4 minutes for juice redistribution. Slice into elegant portions, garnish with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds, then serve alongside steamed white rice or grilled seasonal vegetables.

Notes

• Marinade Magic: Allow at least 24 hours for chicken to soak, letting flavors deeply penetrate the meat for maximum taste explosion.
• Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F, guaranteeing safe and perfectly cooked protein.
• Grill Technique: Create stunning crosshatch marks by rotating chicken once during grilling, ensuring beautiful caramelization and even cooking.
• Resting Ritual: Give chicken 3-4 minutes off heat to redistribute juices, preventing dryness and maintaining succulent texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Grilling, Steaming
• Cuisine: Fusion

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 396
• Sugar: 14.29 g
• Sodium: 1594.29 mg
• Fat: 10.71 g
• Saturated Fat: 2.14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8.57 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 49.29 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 108.57 mg