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This Whole30 pineapple teriyaki chicken recipe is a quick and healthy weeknight meal, only sweetened with pineapple that’s blended in the addicting sauce. It comes together in 15 minutes and you’ll never get takeout again!

Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
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I’ve never really been a huge fan of teriyaki sauce unless I made it at home. Most teriyaki sauce from restaurants always tasted way too sickeningly sweet to me, and I always felt my blood sugar spiking after eating it. However, cooking at home allows to control my own spices and sweetness, and it’s the only way I enjoy any teriyaki dish now.

How to Make this Whole30 Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

For this Whole30 teriyaki chicken, fresh or canned pineapple chunks are used to sweeten the sauce. The tart flavor of the pineapple complements this dish perfectly, and it’s been our go-to weeknight meal! Best of all, it only takes less than 15 minutes from start to finish

Watch the Recipe Video Here:

Whole30 teriyaki sauce in the blender

Recipe Ingredients

This Whole30 teriyaki chicken requires some simple ingredients that come together so quickly! There are 2 components for this dish: the chicken and the Whole30 teriyaki sauce:

To Make the Chicken

  • boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
  • salt
  • ghee: You can also use coconut oil
  • garlic
  • sesame seeds and chopped green onions: For the AIP version, just omit the sesame seeds.

To Make the Sauce:

  • fresh OR canned pineapple chunks: Make sure there’s no sugar added! Crushed pineapples can also work in a pinch
  • coconut aminos: A great alternative to soy sauce if you want to avoid soy
  • ginger
  • vinegar
  • arrowroot starch: Tapioca starch will also work in a pinch!

You just blend the sauce ingredients together until smooth in texture. The arrowroot starch helps the sauce thicken once the chicken is cooked and heated. Once you have the sauce ready, it’s very easy to make this Whole30 and paleo teriyaki chicken that you’ll want over and over again!

Whole30 teriyaki chicken

Step-by Step Directions: How to Make Whole30 Teriyaki Chicken

Once the Whole30 terikyaki sauce is made, the rest of the pineapple teriyaki chicken recipe is easy breezy:

  1. Stir fry the chicken pieces in oil on the stove top until the chicken is cooked. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
  2. Cook garlic in the same pan until golden and fragrant.
  3. Add the blended sauce in the pan and simmer for 1 minute until thickened.
  4. Add the chicken back in the pan and cook in the sauce for 2 minutes until heated through.

That’s it! Super easy, better-than-takeout gluten free teriyaki chicken. You can sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions before serving, and the leftovers save well too. Serve with cauliflower rice, white rice, or brown rice for a complete meal!

Paleo teriyaki chicken over cauliflower rice

Tips and FAQs for this Recipe

What chicken is best to use for pineapple chicken teriyaki?

Either skinless boneless chicken breasts or chicken thighs will work. I personally prefer thighs because they are more flavorful and juicier. Either one will work well though!

Can I use pre-cooked, frozen, or canned chicken?

If using pre-cooked chicken, you can just chop it up into bite-sized pieces then add it at the end with the sauce. No need to brown it beforehand. Same thing with canned chicken.

For frozen chicken, make sure to defrost it completely before using it in the recipe.

How should I store my leftovers?

Leftovers of Whole30 teriyaki chicken can be enjoyed for up to 3 days. Just store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

What to serve with pineapple teriyaki chicken recipe

There are so many ways to enjoy this Whole30 and paleo teriyaki chicken, and the possibilities are endless. Here are some ideas on how to serve this delicious dish:
– with cauliflower rice, or regular white or brown rice if not avoiding grains
– broccoli
– green beans
– snap peas
– roasted carrots
– broccoli rabe
– sautéed zucchini
It goes well with so many stir-fry veggies so feel free to experiment!

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4.74 from 19 votes
Servings: 4 servings

Whole30 Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Recipe (Paleo, AIP)

This Whole30 pineapple teriyaki chicken recipe is a quick and healthy weeknight meal, only sweetened with pineapple that's blended in the addicting sauce. It comes together in 15 minutes and you'll never get takeout again!
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 8 minutes
Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!

Video

Ingredients 

  • lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt, or more to taste
  • 1 tbsp ghee, or coconut oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • Sesame seeds and chopped green onions, to serve (omit seasame seeds for AIP)

Pineapple Teriyaki Sauce

Instructions 

  • Place all ingredients for the pineapple teriyaki sauce in a blender and blend until smooth. Set aside.
  • Toss the chicken pieces with salt.
  • Heat ghee in a large skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add the chicken to the pan and cook stirring until browned on all sides, about 3 minutes. Remove from the pan.
  • Add garlic to the pan and stir for 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Pour in the prepared pineapple teriyaki sauce and use a wooden spoon to scrap the bottom of the pan as it heats.
  • Simmer the sauce for 1 minute until thickened.
  • Add the chicken pieces to the sauce, and simmer for 2 minutes until heated through. Taste and add more sale, as needed.
  • Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, and serve with cauliflower rice.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving – makes 4, Calories: 291kcal, Carbohydrates: 14g, Protein: 37g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 118mg, Sodium: 958mg, Potassium: 683mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 75IU, Vitamin C: 22mg, Calcium: 18mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below or tag @whatgreatgrandmaate!

What Great Grandma Ate / Jean Choi is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Regarding other affiliate links and affiliate relationships: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Thank you for your support and understanding.

Jean Choi

I’m a food lover and recipe developer living in Southern California. I love to share simple and approachable gluten-free recipes that are healthy but never sacrifice on flavor.

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48 Comments

  1. Christiane DeSalvo says:

    5 stars
    We absolutely loved this recipe! I couldn’t believe how easy it was to put together and such great flavor overall. We enjoyed over a bed of cauliflower rice with chopped red & green peppers and all the flavor melded together famously. I cannot wait to make this again.

    Thank you for a clean take on a delicious favorite. The pineapple + coconut aminos is a perfect combo without being too sweet!

    1. Jean Choi says:

      Yay! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!! I love the idea of adding red and green peppers. I’ll have to try that!

  2. Mandy says:

    5 stars
    Another great recipe, Jean! The pineapple added a sweetness to the sauce that which was just perfect. I added some shredded carrots and broccoli and served over cauliflower rice – super delicious meal!

    1. Jean Choi says:

      Sounds amazing. Thank you so much!

  3. Cathy says:

    I made this tonight and served with rice and green beans. Was a big hit with the entire family! Also did 1.5 times the quantity of sauce b/c my chicken was a little over 2lbs. Fed all four of us plus enough for two lunches tomorrow!

    1. Jean Choi says:

      Thank you so much! I’m so glad your whole family enjoyed it. 🙂

  4. Monica Mingo says:

    5 stars
    Jean unni,
    Delicious, fast meal! Look forward to meal prepping this with rice and broccoli. Plus I made extra sauce so who isn’t not loving this?!

    1. Jean Choi says:

      So glad you enjoyed it!! YESSS, all the rice and broccoli with this. That’s how I enjoy it too!

  5. Danielle says:

    5 stars
    Made this tonight! Even my picky family was on board. Super easy and delish!

    1. Jean Choi says:

      Amazing! So happy you enjoyed it.

  6. Amanda says:

    5 stars
    Yum is all I need to say!

  7. Jean Choi says:

    Yay! I’m so glad you like it! Thank you so much!!

  8. Janine says:

    5 stars
    Made this as a family meal tonight, even though I am only one doing AIP. They loved it and my 12 year old son even asked for more. Thank you!

    1. Jean Choi says:

      Yay! I’m so glad!! Thanks so much.

  9. Kim says:

    5 stars
    This was so easy and delicious! I agree most take out sauces are too sweet. This one was perfect!

    1. Jean Choi says:

      Thanks so much!

  10. Karen says:

    5 stars
    Super easy and very tasty!

    1. Jean Choi says:

      Thank you! So glad you enjoyed. 🙂