Honey Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken

Name: Honey Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1/4 cup reduced sodium soy sauce (if gluten intolerant, use one that's gluten free); 1/4 cup water; 6 tablespoons honey; 2 tablespoons pineapple juice, reserved from fresh (or use 2 tablespoons more honey); 1.5 tablespoons rice vinegar; 1.5 tablespoons mirin*; 1/2 tablespoon finely grated ginger (or 1 teaspoon ground ginger); 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water; 2-4 tablespoons canola oil; 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1" cubes); 2 tablespoons cornstarch; salt and pepper (to taste); 1 red bell pepper (cored and cut into 1" chunks); 1.5 cups fresh pineapple chunks; scallions and chopped cashews (for serving, optional)

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by Marcie // September 27, 2021 (updated 12/15/21)

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Forget the takeout — this Honey Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken is packed with tender chunks of chicken, sweet and savory flavor, and is a hit with everyone in the family! It’s so easy to make and it’s on the table in 30 minutes!

Pan of honey pineapple chicken teriyaki with a wooden spoon

**This post was originally published in April 2015. Step by step photos were added and text has been modified to include more recipe information.

I love ordering takeout as much as the next person, but I don’t always feel great about it afterward because it’s laden with fat and sodium.

This Honey Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken was inspired by my boys’ favorite sweet and sour chicken. Tender chunks of chicken are combined with juicy pineapple and bell peppers in a sweet and savory honey teriyaki sauce.

It was a huge hit with my family, and the best part is that it’s much healthier and it’s on the table faster than I can pick up takeout!

If you love teriyaki sauce as much as we do, be sure to try my teriyaki salmon!

Chicken teriyaki in a pan with a wooden spoon

Why you’ll love this recipe:

Honey pineapple teriyaki chicken is the healthier way to enjoy takeout! It’s packed with protein, sweet and savory flavor, and it’s ready in 30 minutes.
The honey teriyaki sauce is so easy to make, and contains no refined sugar.
It’s a family-friendly dinner that’s great served over rice or quinoa.
It’s dairy and gluten-free, so it’s great for special diets.

Recipe ingredients

If you make Asian inspired dishes at home, you probably already have most of the ingredients to make this pineapple teriyaki chicken recipe.

If you don’t have them on hand, the good news is that these ingredients are reasonably priced and have a long shelf life!

Ingredient notes

Chicken. The chicken breast may be substituted with ground chicken or boneless skinless chicken thighs.
Pineapple. Fresh pineapple is best for this recipe, and pre-cut pineapple is a huge time saver. There’s also just enough pineapple juice in the container to add to the honey teriyaki sauce.
Soy sauce. Use reduced sodium soy sauce to reduce the amount of salt. If you’re gluten intolerant, make sure to purchase a certified gluten-free soy sauce. Tamari or liquid aminos may be substituted as well.
Mirin. Mirin is a Japanese rice wine that adds a nice depth of flavor to the pineapple teriyaki sauce, but it may not always be gluten-free. If you’re gluten intolerant, it may be substituted with sake, dry sherry or additional rice vinegar.
Rice vinegar. You can purchase seasoned or unseasoned rice vinegar. Seasoned rice vinegar simply has added sugar. You may substitute the rice vinegar with apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar or fresh lemon or orange juice.
Ginger. I love freezing ginger root and using my microplane zester to grate it peel and all to use in my recipes.
Bell pepper. Substitute the bell peppers with your favorite veggies. Broccoli, carrots or your favorite greens are great additions.

How to make this recipe

This pineapple teriyaki chicken recipe comes together very quickly. Simply gather your ingredients, prep the sauce, chicken, pineapple and veggies and everything cooks up very quickly.

If you’re cooking rice, get it started first to make this a 30 minute meal.

Pro tip: Use pre-cut pineapple for a big time saver. The bonus is that there is just enough pineapple juice in the container to add to your honey teriyaki sauce!

How to make pineapple teriyaki chicken collage

Make the honey teriyaki sauce. Whisk together the soy sauce, water, honey, pineapple juice, rice vinegar, mirin, and grated ginger. Set aside with the cornstarch slurry.
Prep the chicken. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, and toss with cornstarch in a zip top bag.
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the chicken in a single layer in the skillet to brown. Turn over when it releases easily from the pan and continue to cook another 2 minutes on the other side.
Add the red bell pepper, and sauté 2-3 minutes more.
Add the pineapple to the pan. Whisk the cornstarch slurry into the teriyaki sauce, and pour it into the skillet, and stir until it coats the chicken mixture.
Continue to cook until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and serve!

Wooden spoon digging into pineapple teriyaki chicken

FAQs

Can canned pineapple be used?

Fresh pineapple works best in this pineapple teriyaki chicken recipe, but canned pineapple may be used in a pinch.

Does teriyaki sauce contain pineapple?

Teriyaki sauce can contain pineapple juice for sweetness, although it depends on the brand that you purchase. This honey teriyaki sauce includes honey and pineapple juice to sweeten it without unrefined sugar.

Is teriyaki sauce and teriyaki marinade the same thing?

Teriyaki sauce and teriyaki marinade are the same thing but are used differently. This honey teriyaki sauce contains cornstarch to thicken it and coat the chicken, but it can also be used as a marinade (with no cornstarch) to flavor meat prior to cooking.

Recipe notes

Pro tip: Use pre-cut pineapple wedges for a time saver, and simply used the pineapple juice in the bottom of the container to add to the sauce.
Mirin is a Japanese rice wine which adds a nice depth of flavor here, but it may not always be gluten free. If you’re gluten intolerant, it may be substituted with sake, dry sherry or additional rice vinegar.
To make this a 30 minute meal, get your rice, quinoa, or quick cooking brown rice on first, then prep your ingredients.
6 tablespoons of honey will give you a mildly sweet, tangy sauce. If you prefer your teriyaki sweeter, add 1-2 more tablespoons of honey.

Plate of rice with pineapple teriyaki chicken on top

More Asian recipes you’ll love:

Asian black rice salad
Egg roll in a bowl
Miso salmon
Napa cabbage salad
Sweet and sour chicken by Dinner, Then Dessert
Thai peanut veggie pasta

If you make this recipe I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment and rating below, or tag me @flavorthemoments on Instagram!