This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.

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
Save this recipe
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!

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!

If you enjoyed this pineapple teriyaki chicken recipe, you might also love…

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.

You May Also Like

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

48 Comments

  1. Stephanie Lazcano says:

    5 stars
    This was SO DELICIOUS!! 10 out of 10 recommended! The whole family loved it and it was so simple to make. We served ours with some sliced steamed carrots & cauliflower rice. It paired PERFECTLY! This recipe fed 3 with no left overs so for larger families double the recipe! Thank you for this amazingly delicious and fresh recipe!! We will be making this again 🙂

    1. Jean Choi says:

      Thank you so so much! So glad your whole family loved it.

  2. Corinne says:

    5 stars
    This recipe was incredibly easy to make and absolutely delicious. The pineapple adds the perfect sweetness!

  3. Kim says:

    5 stars
    This was an amazing meal!
    I doubled the recipe for my family of 8 and I wish I would have made more.
    Even my picky eaters cleaned up their plates! We will now be adding this meal to our rotation.

  4. Theresa says:

    Do you think mango would work ok. Instead of the pineapple?

    1. Jean Choi says:

      You’ll probably be able to taste the mango but if you don’t mind that, it’ll work just fine!

  5. Angela Pineda says:

    5 stars
    This was ahhhhh-mazing. I actively pulled out my computer to write this review so 1) I wouldn’t eat it all and 2) I had to tell the world that you have to make this because it’s SO good. I ate it with roasted broccoli and plain white rice and I really thought I was eating take out – but in a way that wont me feel slightly sick that I overindulged.

    1. Jean Choi says:

      Thank you so much, Angela!! Makes me sooo happy that you enjoyed it so much.

  6. Mandy Kuypers says:

    5 stars
    This was incredibly easy to make and super delicious! I added red pepper and broccoli and served over cauli rice – I will definitely make this again.

    1. Jean Choi says:

      Thank you so much!

  7. LAURA BATES says:

    4 stars
    I wish i would have started with 1 tbsp of acv. That’s all I can taste in the entire recipe. I’ll eat it, it’s must very overwhelming with acv taste.

    1. Jean Choi says:

      If you don’t like the sourness, yes – definitely cut down the acv.

  8. Christina says:

    This is delicious and so easy to make! I wish I would have doubled the recipe!

    1. Jean Choi says:

      Thanks so much!

  9. Shannon I says:

    1 star
    I tried this recipe, not only did it not look like the picture it tasted to salty. $9.00 down the drain.

    1. Jean Choi says:

      I’ve never heard that yet! Sorry that happened. Did you use sea salt and not table salt? Sea salt is less salty by volume. Also, you can save the recipe by making more chicken (don’t add salt) and adding to the sauce.

    2. Emily says:

      I had the same issue. Had to throw it away. Realized later I had used liquid aminos rather than coconut aminos. BIG mistake on my end!

  10. Jamie says:

    If I used ginger paste instead of fresh ginger, how much would you use? Thanks!

    1. Jean Choi says:

      You can try 1 1/2 tsp