Teriyaki Chicken and Pineapple Foil Packets

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🍍 Recipe: Teriyaki Chicken and Pineapple Foil Packets

  • Prep time: 15 minutes

  • Cook time: 20–25 minutes

  • Servings: 4

  • Method: Oven or Grill

Ingredients

  • Chicken: 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch chunks.

  • Pineapple: 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks (canned works too, just drain well).

  • Vegetables: 1 large red bell pepper (chopped) and 1 small red onion (wedged).

  • Sauce: 3/4 cup high-quality teriyaki sauce (thick/glaze style works best).

  • Aromatics: 2 cloves garlic (minced) and 1 tsp fresh ginger (grated).

  • Garnish: Toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Instructions

  1. Prep the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the teriyaki sauce, minced garlic, and ginger.

  2. Combine: In a large bowl, toss the chicken, pineapple, bell pepper, and onion with about 2/3 of the sauce. Save the rest for drizzling later.

  3. Assemble: Cut four 12×12 inch sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Divide the mixture evenly onto the center of each sheet.

  4. Fold: Bring the short sides of the foil together and fold over twice to seal. Fold the ends to create a completely sealed packet.

  5. Cook:

    • Oven: Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes.

    • Grill: Cook over medium heat for 15–20 minutes, flipping once halfway through.

  6. Finish: Carefully open the packets (watch out for the steam!), drizzle with the remaining sauce, and top with sesame seeds and green onions.

💡 Notes & Pro-Tips

  • The Foil Factor: Use heavy-duty foil. If you only have standard foil, double it up to prevent tears and leaks.

  • Rice is Nice: These packets don’t usually include a starch. Serve them over a bed of jasmine rice or quinoa to soak up all that extra teriyaki liquid.

  • Don’t Overcrowd: Ensure the chicken is in a relatively single layer inside the packet so it cooks evenly.

  • Char it Up: For a “grilled” look when using the oven, open the packets for the last 2-3 minutes and turn on the broiler.

🥗 Nutritional Info (Per Serving)

Estimate based on standard ingredients.

Metric Amount
Calories 340 kcal
Protein 36g
Carbohydrates 28g
Fat 6g
Fiber 3g
Sugar 18g

✅ The Benefits

  1. Zero Cleanup: You eat out of the foil and toss it when you’re done. Your dishwasher will thank you.

  2. Meal Prep Friendly: You can assemble these 24 hours in advance and keep them in the fridge until you’re ready to cook.

  3. Nutrient Dense: You get a lean protein, Vitamin C from the peppers and pineapple, and anti-inflammatory benefits from the fresh ginger.

❓ Common Questions (Q&A)

Q: Can I use frozen chicken?

A: It’s best to thaw it first. Frozen chicken releases a lot of water as it thaws, which will dilute your sauce and make the packet “soupy” rather than glazed

Q: Is it okay to use canned pineapple?

A: Absolutely. Just make sure to buy the kind in juice (not heavy syrup) and drain it thoroughly before adding it to the mix.

Q: My chicken is dry. What happened?

A: You likely overcooked it or used very lean breast meat without enough sauce. Try using chicken thighs next time—they are much more forgiving in foil packets!

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