PINEAPPLE TERIYAKI CHICKEN MEATBALLS EASY

Tired of the same old boring weeknight dinners? Imagine biting into juicy, tender chicken meatballs, glazed with a sweet and tangy pineapple teriyaki sauce that’s bursting with flavor. These Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs are the perfect solution to your dinner dilemma, offering a fun and delicious twist on a classic dish that everyone will love, and I promise you’ll be making them again and again!

The Magic Behind the Meatballs

Let’s be honest, sometimes cooking feels like a chore, right? But it doesn’t have to be! I’m here to help you unlock your inner chef and create amazing meals with simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions. This recipe for Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs is a total game-changer because it’s quick, flavorful, and incredibly versatile. Whether you’re serving them as an appetizer at your next party or making them the star of a family dinner, these meatballs are guaranteed to be a hit.

What makes these meatballs so special? It’s all about the perfect balance of sweet and savory. The juicy chicken meatballs are infused with Asian-inspired flavors, and the pineapple teriyaki glaze adds a tropical twist that’s simply irresistible. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you!

What You’ll Need: The Ingredients

For the Chicken Meatballs:

• 1 pound ground chicken
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the Pineapple Teriyaki Sauce:

• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1/2 cup diced pineapple chunks
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Optional: Red pepper flakes, to taste

Optional Garnish:

• Sesame seeds
• Chopped green onions

Step-by-Step Instructions: Let’s Get Cooking!

Making the Chicken Meatballs:

1. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, gently combine the ground chicken, panko breadcrumbs, chopped onion, egg, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and pepper. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatballs tough.
2. Form the Meatballs: Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs. I like to use a small cookie scoop to ensure they are all the same size. This helps them cook evenly.
3. Cook the Meatballs: There are a few ways you can cook the meatballs:
   • Oven-Baked: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through.
   • Pan-Fried: Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 10-12 minutes.
   • Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the meatballs in the air fryer basket in a single layer (you may need to do this in batches). Cook for 10-12 minutes, or until cooked through.

Making the Pineapple Teriyaki Sauce:

1. Prepare the Sauce: In a medium saucepan, whisk together the pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, and rice vinegar.
2. Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to form a slurry. Add the slurry to the saucepan.
3. Cook the Sauce: Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
4. Add Flavor: Stir in the diced pineapple chunks, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for another minute until fragrant.

Combining the Meatballs and Sauce:

1. Combine: Add the cooked chicken meatballs to the saucepan with the pineapple teriyaki sauce. Gently toss to coat the meatballs evenly.
2. Simmer: Simmer for 5-10 minutes, allowing the meatballs to absorb the sauce and the flavors to meld together.

Serving:

1. Garnish: Transfer the Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs to a serving dish. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
2. Enjoy: Serve hot as an appetizer or over rice for a complete meal.

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Meatballs

Want to take your Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs to the next level? Here are a few tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way:

• Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the meatball mixture can result in tough meatballs. Gently combine the ingredients until just mixed.
• Use Quality Ingredients: Using fresh ginger and garlic makes a huge difference in the flavor of the sauce.
• Adjust the Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet sauce, reduce the amount of brown sugar.
• Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the sauce for a little kick.
• Make Ahead: You can make the meatballs and sauce ahead of time and store them separately. When you’re ready to serve, simply combine them and simmer until heated through.
• Freezing: These meatballs freeze beautifully! Allow the meatballs to cool completely, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Serving Suggestions: More Than Just an Appetizer

These Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs are incredibly versatile. Here are some creative ways to serve them:

• Over Rice: Serve the meatballs over a bed of fluffy white rice or brown rice for a satisfying meal. Add some steamed broccoli or stir-fried vegetables for a complete and balanced dish.
• In Lettuce Wraps: Use the meatballs as a filling for lettuce wraps. Add some shredded carrots, cucumbers, and a drizzle of extra sauce for a fresh and flavorful appetizer.
• On Skewers: Thread the meatballs onto skewers with pineapple chunks, bell peppers, and red onion for a fun and festive presentation.
• In Sliders: Serve the meatballs on mini slider buns with a dollop of coleslaw for a delicious and easy-to-eat snack.
• With Noodles: Toss the meatballs with your favorite noodles (such as udon or soba) for a quick and flavorful Asian-inspired meal.

Variations and Substitutions

Want to customize this recipe to your liking? Here are some variations and substitutions you can try:

• Use Ground Turkey: Substitute ground turkey for ground chicken for a leaner option.
• Add Vegetables to the Meatballs: Grate some zucchini or carrots into the meatball mixture for added nutrients and moisture.
• Use Different Fruits: Try using mandarin oranges or peaches instead of pineapple in the sauce.
• Make it Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and tamari (gluten-free soy sauce) to make this recipe gluten-free.
• Add a Crunchy Topping: Sprinkle the meatballs with toasted coconut flakes or chopped peanuts for added texture.

Other Asian-Inspired Recipes You’ll Love

If you’re a fan of Asian flavors, you’ll definitely want to check out these other delicious recipes:

• Honey Garlic Chicken: A classic dish that’s always a crowd-pleaser.
• Sweet Baby Ray’s Chicken: The perfect blend of sweet and tangy.
• Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Wings: A must-try for wing lovers!
• Teriyaki Chicken: A simple and flavorful weeknight meal.
• Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken: Set it and forget it!
• Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl: A customizable and healthy meal option.

Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs: Your New Go-To Recipe

There you have it! A foolproof recipe for Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs that’s sure to impress. So, gather your ingredients, put on some music, and let’s get cooking! I know you’re going to love this recipe, and I can’t wait to hear what you think. Happy cooking, my friend!

Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs

These Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs are a flavorful and versatile dish, perfect as an appetizer or main course. Juicy chicken meatballs are coated in a sweet and tangy pineapple teriyaki sauce, offering a delightful twist on a classic favorite. They’re easy to make and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine: Asian-Inspired

Calories: 400

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound ground chicken
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1/2 cup diced pineapple chunks
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Red pepper flakes, to taste optional
• Sesame seeds for garnish
• Chopped green onions for garnish

Equipment

• Large bowl
• Small cookie scoop (optional)
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper (optional)
• Large Skillet
• Air fryer (optional)
• Medium saucepan
• Whisk
• Small bowl
• Serving dish

Method

 

1. In a large bowl, gently combine the ground chicken, panko breadcrumbs, chopped onion, egg, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and pepper. Be careful not to overmix.
2. Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs. Use a small cookie scoop to ensure they are all the same size.
3. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through. Alternatively, heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 10-12 minutes. Another option is to preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the meatballs in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 10-12 minutes, or until cooked through.
4. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, and rice vinegar.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to form a slurry. Add the slurry to the saucepan.
6. Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
7. Stir in the diced pineapple chunks, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for another minute until fragrant.
8. Add the cooked chicken meatballs to the saucepan with the pineapple teriyaki sauce. Gently toss to coat the meatballs evenly.
9. Simmer for 5-10 minutes, allowing the meatballs to absorb the sauce and the flavors to meld together.
10. Transfer the Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs to a serving dish.
11. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
12. Serve hot as an appetizer or over rice for a complete meal.

Notes

Don’t overmix the meatball mixture. Use fresh ginger and garlic for the best flavor. Adjust the sweetness by reducing the amount of brown sugar. Add red pepper flakes or sriracha for a spicy kick. The meatballs and sauce can be made ahead of time and stored separately. These meatballs freeze well for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.