Embark on a tropical adventure with this Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken recipe, bringing the bright flavors of the islands straight to your kitchen. This dish combines juicy chicken thighs with a sweet and tangy teriyaki glaze that will have everyone reaching for seconds.

Whether you’re planning a backyard cookout or just craving a vibrant dinner, this recipe will transport you to paradise with each bite. The combination of pineapple juice, soy sauce, and fresh ginger creates an unforgettable sauce that perfectly caramelizes on the grill.
Ideal for sunny gatherings or cozy nights at home, this Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken embodies the warm, laid-back spirit of island cooking. Ready to turn your mealtime into a mini vacation? Let’s jump into this straightforward and absolutely rewarding recipe.
Juicy and Flavorful: The Best Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken
This Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken isn’t just another grilled chicken recipe—it’s a celebration of sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavors coming together in perfect harmony. The marinade infuses each piece of chicken with deep flavor, while the final glaze gives it a sticky, irresistible finish.
Even better, this recipe is simple to prepare and only needs a bit of planning ahead to let the chicken soak up all that delicious marinade. You’ll love how the sauce thickens into a glossy glaze that coats each bite beautifully. Here’s how you can bring this Hawaiian delight to your dinner table.
Serving Suggestions:
Pro Tips for Perfect Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken
- Marinate Overnight: For the best flavor, marinate the chicken overnight to allow the sauce to deeply penetrate the meat.
- Don’t Skip the Grill Marks: Those charred grill marks add extra flavor and make the chicken look amazing.
- Use Fresh Ginger and Garlic: Fresh ingredients give the sauce a brighter, more authentic taste.
- Thicken the Sauce: Always cook and thicken the leftover marinade for a safe, glossy finishing glaze.
- Serve with Extras: Pair with grilled pineapple and steamed rice for a true Hawaiian plate lunch vibe.

Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
- Preparation time: 15 minutes (plus marinating time)
- Cooking time: 15 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Equipment: Grill or grill pan, mixing bowl, small saucepan
With this Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken, your kitchen will transform into a beachside cookout, filled with the rich aroma of sweet and savory grilling. Each tender, juicy bite feels like a mini escape to the islands.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup pineapple juice
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
- 2 green onions, sliced thin
Directions:
- Prep the Chicken: Trim any excess fat from the chicken thighs and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Set them aside while you prepare the marinade.
- Make the Marinade: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, pineapple juice, rice vinegar, mirin, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken pieces into a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, making sure each piece is well coated. Seal or cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
- Preheat and Prepare: When ready to cook, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off. Reserve the marinade for later.
- Grill the Chicken: Place the chicken pieces on the grill and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until cooked through and slightly charred. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.
- Thicken the Sauce: While the chicken grills, pour the reserved marinade into a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to form a slurry. Stir this into the boiling marinade and reduce heat to low. Continue cooking, stirring often, until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
- Rest and Glaze: Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes. Drizzle the thickened teriyaki sauce generously over the chicken.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions over the glazed chicken for a fresh and colorful finish.
Ready to Relish!
This Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken offers a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and tangy flavors that will make every bite unforgettable. It’s easy to make, fun to serve, and guaranteed to impress your family and friends.
Storage Solutions:
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through. You can also freeze the cooked chicken for up to two months; just thaw and reheat when you’re ready to enjoy another taste of the islands.
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Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken
With this Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken, your kitchen will transform into a beachside cookout, filled with the rich aroma of sweet and savory grilling. Each tender, juicy bite feels like a mini escape to the islands.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
-
1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
-
½ cup soy sauce
-
¼ cup brown sugar, packed
-
¼ cup pineapple juice
-
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
-
2 tablespoons mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)
-
1 tablespoon sesame oil
-
2 cloves garlic, minced
-
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
-
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
-
2 tablespoons cornstarch
-
2 tablespoons water
-
2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
-
2 green onions, sliced thin
Instructions
-
Prep the Chicken: Trim any excess fat from the chicken thighs and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Set them aside while you prepare the marinade.
-
Make the Marinade: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, pineapple juice, rice vinegar, mirin, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
-
Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken pieces into a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, making sure each piece is well coated. Seal or cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
-
Preheat and Prepare: When ready to cook, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off. Reserve the marinade for later.
-
Grill the Chicken: Place the chicken pieces on the grill and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until cooked through and slightly charred. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.
-
Thicken the Sauce: While the chicken grills, pour the reserved marinade into a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to form a slurry. Stir this into the boiling marinade and reduce heat to low. Continue cooking, stirring often, until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
-
Rest and Glaze: Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes. Drizzle the thickened teriyaki sauce generously over the chicken.
-
Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions over the glazed chicken for a fresh and colorful finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus marinating time)
- Cook Time: 15 minutes






