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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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