Description
These Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs are a flavorful twist on a classic favorite, combining juicy ground chicken with sweet pineapple and a savory homemade teriyaki sauce. Baked to perfection and paired with roasted broccoli and bell peppers, this recipe makes for a delicious, easy weeknight dinner served over rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground chicken
- ¼ cup panko bread crumbs
- ¼ cup crushed pineapple, juice drained but reserved
- 2 tablespoons green onion, white & green divided diced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Teriyaki Sauce
- ½ cup low sodium soy sauce
- ⅓ cup water
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 6 tablespoons pineapple juice, reserved from the canned pineapple
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- 4 teaspoons cornstarch
- 4 teaspoons water
Vegetables
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
- Spray olive oil
- Salt & pepper to taste
To Serve
- Rice (quantity as desired)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
- Remaining sliced green onions (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside for easy cleanup.
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, panko bread crumbs, drained crushed pineapple, diced white parts of the green onions, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated fresh ginger, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly blended into a uniform mixture.
- Form Meatballs: Using a cookie scoop or your hands, portion the mixture into evenly sized meatballs (approximately 17-18). Place them spaced apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Add Vegetables to Bake: On the other half of the baking sheet, spread out the broccoli florets and sliced red bell pepper. Spray the vegetables with olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), and the vegetables are tender.
- Make Teriyaki Sauce: While the meatballs bake, combine the low sodium soy sauce, ¼ cup water, light brown sugar, reserved pineapple juice, garlic powder, grated fresh ginger, and sesame oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
- Thicken Sauce: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 4 teaspoons of water to create a slurry. Slowly whisk the slurry into the simmering teriyaki sauce. Continue cooking and whisking constantly for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency.
- Coat Meatballs: Once the meatballs are cooked, remove them from the oven and transfer to a bowl. Pour the thickened teriyaki sauce over the meatballs and toss gently to coat thoroughly.
- Serve: Serve the glazed meatballs alongside the roasted broccoli and bell peppers over a bed of rice. Garnish with sesame seeds and the remaining sliced green onions for an added fresh touch.
Notes
- Ensure meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F to guarantee they are fully cooked.
- Pineapple juice adds natural sweetness and tang to the teriyaki sauce; don’t discard it when draining the pineapple.
- You can substitute ground chicken with ground turkey for a leaner option.
- Adjust the amount of brown sugar in the sauce to taste if you prefer it sweeter or less sweet.
- Use low sodium soy sauce to better control the salt content in the dish.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute panko bread crumbs with gluten-free bread crumbs and use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Keywords: chicken meatballs, pineapple teriyaki, baked meatballs, easy dinner, weeknight meal, Asian fusion, healthy chicken recipe
