Grilled Hawaiian Plate with Pineapple and Teriyaki Chicken
A sweet and savory Hawaiian-inspired grilled chicken plate featuring teriyaki glaze and fresh pineapple slices. This hawaiian-inspired grilling ready in about 30 minutes pairs fresh pineapple rings, soy sauce, packed brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless (about 1.5 lbs) chicken thighs
- 8 slices, fresh pineapple rings
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp water
- 2 sliced for garnish green onions
- 1 tbsp for garnish sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup pineapple juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, and 2 tbsp rice vinegar to make the teriyaki marinade.
- Step 2: Place 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs in a resealable bag and pour half of the marinade over them. Seal and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, ideally 3-4 hours.
- Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat and brush grates with 2 tbsp vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
- Step 4: Remove chicken from marinade and reserve the marinade. Grill chicken thighs for 5-6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and chicken is nicely charred.
- Step 5: While chicken cooks, grill 8 fresh pineapple rings for 2-3 minutes per side until caramelized and grill marks appear.
- Step 6: Pour reserved marinade into a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Step 7: Mix 1 tsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp water to make a slurry, then whisk into simmering marinade. Cook for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens to a glaze consistency.
- Step 8: Remove chicken and pineapple from grill, brush chicken with teriyaki glaze generously.
- Step 9: Serve grilled chicken thighs over a plate with pineapple rings on the side, garnished with 2 sliced green onions and 1 tbsp sesame seeds.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Hawaiian Plate with Pineapple and Teriyaki Chicken take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Grilled Hawaiian Plate with Pineapple and Teriyaki Chicken?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep fresh pineapple rings from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Hawaiian Plate with Pineapple and Teriyaki Chicken?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Grilled Hawaiian Plate with Pineapple and Teriyaki Chicken for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Grilled Hawaiian Plate with Pineapple and Teriyaki Chicken?
Hawaiian grilling like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.