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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!
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
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!
Step-by Step Directions: How to Make Whole30 Teriyaki Chicken
Step 1: Place all ingredients for the pineapple teriyaki sauce in a blender and blend until smooth. Set aside.
Step 2: Toss the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
Step 3: Heat avocado 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.
Step 4: 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 scrape the bottom of the pan as it heats.
Step 5: 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 salt, as needed.
Step 6: Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, and serve with cauliflower rice.
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!
Tips and FAQs for this Recipe
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!
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.
Leftovers of Whole30 teriyaki chicken can be enjoyed for up to 3 days. Just store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
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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Ingredients
- 1½ lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 tsp sea salt, or more to taste
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp avocado oil, or any neutral flavored oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- Sesame seeds and chopped green onions, to serve (omit seasame seeds for AIP)
Pineapple Teriyaki Sauce
- 1 cup fresh or canned pineapple chunks
- 1/2 cup coconut aminos
- 1/2 inch fresh ginger
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar, or rice vinegar
- 2 tsp arrowroot starch
Instructions
- Place all ingredients for the pineapple teriyaki sauce in a blender and blend until smooth. Set aside.1 cup fresh or canned pineapple chunks, 1/2 cup coconut aminos, 1/2 inch fresh ginger, 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 2 tsp arrowroot starch
- Toss the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.1½ lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, 1/2 tsp sea salt, 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- Heat avocado 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.1 tbsp avocado oil
- 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 scrape the bottom of the pan as it heats.3 garlic cloves
- 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 salt, as needed.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, and serve with cauliflower rice.Sesame seeds and chopped green onions
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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!
Yay! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!! I love the idea of adding red and green peppers. I’ll have to try that!
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!
Sounds amazing. Thank you so much!
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!
Thank you so much! I’m so glad your whole family enjoyed it. 🙂
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?!
So glad you enjoyed it!! YESSS, all the rice and broccoli with this. That’s how I enjoy it too!
Made this tonight! Even my picky family was on board. Super easy and delish!
Amazing! So happy you enjoyed it.
Yum is all I need to say!
Yay! I’m so glad you like it! Thank you so much!!
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!
Yay! I’m so glad!! Thanks so much.
This was so easy and delicious! I agree most take out sauces are too sweet. This one was perfect!
Thanks so much!
Super easy and very tasty!
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed. 🙂