The Perfect Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken Recipe for Families

Hawaiian style teriyaki chicken transports your taste buds to a sun-drenched tropical paradise with its bold, tangy essence.

Sweet and savory notes dance together, creating a harmonious flavor profile that captures island cuisine’s spirit.

Marinades packed with aromatic ingredients convert ordinary proteins into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Grilling techniques enhance natural meat tenderness while developing complex caramelized edges that tantalize the palate.

Cultural influences shine through each carefully blended ingredient, telling a delicious story of regional cooking traditions.

Balanced sauces and strategic seasoning elevate simple proteins into memorable meals that spark conversation.

Prepare to impress friends and family with this vibrant, mouthwatering dish that celebrates global flavor connections.

The Ingredients That Bring Sweet and Smoky Magic

• Soy Sauce: Rich umami base that helps tenderize and flavor the chicken.
• Water: Helps balance the intensity of soy sauce and create proper marinade consistency.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create caramelization during grilling.
• Garlic: Adds depth and aromatic punch to the marinade.
• Ginger: Brings a bright, zesty flavor and helps tenderize the meat.

• Chicken Thighs: Juicy cut that absorbs marinade well and stays moist during grilling.

• Green Onions: Fresh, sharp flavor that brightens the final dish.
• Sesame Seeds: Toasted seeds that add nutty crunch and visual appeal.
• Teriyaki Sauce: Additional sauce for extra flavor and moisture during steaming.

How to Cook Island-Style Teriyaki Chicken Right

Step 1: Prepare Marinade

• Soy sauce
• Water
• Sugar

Stir until sugar completely dissolves. Add mashed garlic and thinly sliced ginger for extra flavor depth.

Step 2: Marinate Chicken

Place chicken thighs into the prepared marinade, ensuring complete coverage. Cover with plastic wrap or transfer to a resealable bag. Refrigerate for 24 hours to 3 days for maximum flavor absorption.

Step 3: Preheat Grill

Heat the grill to high temperature, creating perfect conditions for a beautiful sear on the chicken.

Step 4: Grill Chicken

Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Grill each chicken thigh for 5-7 minutes per side. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and achieve a nice char on the exterior.

Step 5: Steam Chicken

Transfer grilled chicken to a grill-safe pot with fresh teriyaki sauce. Cover tightly and steam over medium heat for 10 minutes, keeping the meat tender and infusing additional flavor.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

• Chopped green onions
• Toasted sesame seeds

Serve alongside steamed rice or grilled vegetables for a complete meal.

Tips for a Juicy, Flavor-Packed Teriyaki Chicken

• Maximize Marination Magic: Let chicken soak in marinade for full 48 hours to deeply infuse rich, complex flavors that penetrate every fiber of the meat.
• Grill Temperature Control: Maintain consistent high heat around 400-450°F to achieve perfect caramelization without burning the chicken's delicate exterior.
• Moisture Preservation Technique: Use tongs when handling chicken to prevent piercing meat, which helps retain essential juices and prevents dryness.
• Sauce Layering Strategy: Brush additional teriyaki sauce during grilling to create multiple flavor dimensions and develop a beautiful glossy finish.
• Resting Period Perfection: Allow grilled chicken to rest 5-7 minutes after cooking, enabling juices to redistribute and ensuring each bite remains incredibly succulent and tender.

The Smart Way to Store and Reheat Teriyaki Leftovers

• Refrigeration: Seal cooked chicken in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping the meat moist and flavorful by preventing air exposure.
• Freezing Method: Wrap individual chicken pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe bag. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen teriyaki chicken maintains quality for up to 2 months when properly sealed.
• Reheating Technique: Warm refrigerated chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of teriyaki sauce to restore moisture. Alternatively, use the microwave with a damp paper towel covering the chicken, heating in 30-second intervals until internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Rice, Veggies, and Sides That Pair with This Dish

• Boost Flavor with Tropical Cocktail Pairing: Craft a refreshing Hawaiian Mai Tai or Pineapple Mojito that complements the teriyaki chicken's sweet and savory profile, enhancing the tropical essence of the dish.
• Create Textural Contrast with Side Dishes: Serve grilled pineapple slices or a crisp Asian slaw to add crunch and brightness that balances the rich, tender chicken, creating a harmonious eating experience.
• Match Wine with Hawaiian Flair: Select a slightly sweet Riesling or Gewürztraminer that echoes the teriyaki's sweetness while cutting through the chicken's richness, providing a delightful wine pairing that elevates the meal.
• Elevate with Cooling Condiment: Prepare a quick cucumber-yogurt sauce or wasabi-mayo dip that offers a cool, tangy counterpoint to the grilled chicken's intense flavors, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to each bite.

Unique Twists on Hawaiian Teriyaki Chicken

• Pineapple Paradise: Incorporate fresh diced pineapple chunks into the marinade for a tropical sweetness that complements the savory teriyaki chicken, adding a bright and zesty flavor profile.
• Spicy Island Fire: Blend in some sriracha or red pepper flakes to the marinade for those who crave a kick of heat, transforming the traditional recipe into a fiery Hawaiian-inspired dish.
• Coconut Crusted Creation: Roll the marinated chicken in shredded coconut before grilling to create a crunchy exterior that adds texture and a nutty undertone to the classic teriyaki preparation.
• Vegetarian Veggie Swap: Replace chicken thighs with thick slices of firm tofu or portobello mushrooms, using the same marinade and cooking technique for a plant-based alternative that captures the essence of the original recipe.

What Makes Hawaiian Teriyaki Chicken So Special

• Infuse Flavor Deeply: The 24-hour marinating process allows soy sauce, garlic, and ginger to penetrate chicken thighs completely, creating an explosion of Hawaiian-inspired taste in every single bite.
• Master Two-Step Cooking Technique: Grilling followed by steaming ensures chicken remains incredibly juicy and tender while developing beautiful caramelized exterior with delicious charred edges that lock in maximum flavor.
• High-Protein Powerhouse Meal: Packed with 44 grams of protein per serving, this dish offers substantial nutritional value perfect for athletes, fitness enthusiasts, or anyone seeking a satisfying and muscle-supporting dinner option that feels like a tropical culinary adventure.
• Versatile Serving Possibilities: Easily adaptable to multiple dining scenarios, whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue, preparing a quick weeknight dinner, or wanting to impress guests with restaurant-quality Hawaiian-style cuisine that pairs beautifully with steamed rice and grilled vegetables.

Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken delivers island-inspired flavors with bold marinades and succulent grilled meat. Juicy chicken pieces glazed in sweet-savory teriyaki sauce offer a delicious escape to Pacific paradise that will satisfy you completely.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) soy sauce
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) water

Aromatics:

• 5 cloves garlic (mashed)
• 2 to 3 thin slices ginger root, cut lengthwise

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Instructions

1. Craft a vibrant teriyaki marinade by whisking together soy sauce, water, and granulated sugar until the sugar completely dissolves, creating a smooth base.
2. Mince fresh garlic cloves and finely slice fresh ginger, then fold these aromatic ingredients into the marinade to infuse deep, complex flavors.
3. Submerge chicken thighs completely in the prepared marinade, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Transfer to a sealed container or heavy-duty resealable plastic bag.
4. Refrigerate the marinated chicken for a minimum of 24 hours and up to 72 hours (3 days), allowing the flavors to penetrate deeply into the meat.
5. Preheat the grill to high heat (approximately 450-500°F or 230-260°C), creating optimal conditions for achieving a perfect caramelized exterior.
6. Remove chicken from the marinade, letting excess liquid drip off, then place on the hot grill. Cook for 6-8 minutes per side, rotating once to create beautiful crosshatch grill marks.
7. Verify the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) using a meat thermometer to ensure safe consumption.
8. Transfer grilled chicken to a covered pot with additional fresh teriyaki sauce, then steam on the grill for 10-12 minutes to enhance tenderness and lock in moisture.
9. Remove chicken from heat and let rest for 3-4 minutes to redistribute internal juices.
10. Slice chicken into elegant portions and plate, garnishing with finely chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve alongside steamed white rice or grilled seasonal vegetables.

Notes

• Marinate chicken thighs overnight for maximum flavor absorption and tender texture.
• Ensure sugar completely dissolves when creating the initial marinade base to guarantee smooth, consistent seasoning.
• High-heat grilling develops delicious caramelized exterior while maintaining juicy interior of chicken pieces.
• Steaming after grilling locks in moisture and allows teriyaki sauce to penetrate deeply into meat fibers.
• Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and fresh green onions to elevate presentation and add complementary crunch and brightness.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 564 kcal
• Sugar: 16g
• Sodium: 1200mg
• Fat: 27g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 44g
• Cholesterol: 160mg