Description
These Teriyaki Pineapple Chicken Meatballs are a delightful twist on a classic comfort food, featuring tender, flavorful chicken meatballs coated in a sweet and savory teriyaki glaze with bursts of pineapple. The combination of juicy meatballs, a glossy sauce, and fluffy rice makes this dish a guaranteed hit for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds ground chicken
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup finely diced yellow onion
1 large egg
1/4 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 (20 ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon water
4 cups cooked white rice, for serving
Sliced green onions, for garnish
Sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
In a large bowl, gently combine the ground chicken, panko bread crumbs, diced onion, egg, pineapple juice, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, grated ginger, sesame oil, garlic powder, and black pepper. Be careful not to overmix.
Gently form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the meatballs to the skillet and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.
While the meatballs are cooking, make the teriyaki sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together the drained pineapple chunks, 1/4 cup soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, cornstarch, and water.
Once the meatballs are cooked, pour the teriyaki sauce over them in the skillet.
Simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly and the pineapple is heated through.
Serve the teriyaki pineapple chicken meatballs over cooked white rice, garnished with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
Don’t Overmix: Mixing the meatball ingredients gently prevents them from becoming tough.
Even Cooking: When browning the meatballs, make sure they cook evenly on all sides, turning them occasionally.
Check for Doneness: The meatballs are cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F. You can use a meat thermometer to check.
Sauce Consistency: The sauce should thicken slightly, but if it becomes too thick, add a splash of water to loosen it up.
Garnishing: Don’t skip the garnish! The green onions and sesame seeds add a fresh, appealing finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Calories: Approximately 500 per serving (Estimate)
- Fat: Approximately 25g per serving (Estimate)
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 50g per serving (Estimate)
- Protein: Approximately 30g per serving (Estimate)