Hereās a detailed recipe with FAQs for your š® Teriyaki Chicken Tacos with Grilled PineappleāPear Salsa:
š® Teriyaki Chicken Tacos with Grilled PineappleāPear Salsa
Ingredients
For the Teriyaki Chicken:
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
- ½ cup teriyaki sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar
For the Grilled PineappleāPear Salsa:
- 1 cup fresh pineapple slices (rings or chunks)
- 1 ripe pear, firm but slightly sweet, diced
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- 1 jalapeƱo, seeded and minced (optional for heat)
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt, to taste
For Assembly:
- 8 small flour or corn tortillas, warmed
- Shredded purple cabbage or lettuce (for crunch)
- Sliced avocado (optional)
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken:
- In a bowl, whisk together teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and honey.
- Add chicken, coat well, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to 4 hours for best flavor).
- Cook the Chicken:
- Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook chicken 5ā6 minutes per side, until cooked through and caramelized.
- Rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
- Prepare the Salsa:
- Grill pineapple slices for 2ā3 minutes per side until lightly charred.
- Chop grilled pineapple into small chunks and combine with pear, onion, jalapeƱo, cilantro, lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Mix gently.
- Assemble the Tacos:
- Warm tortillas and layer with shredded cabbage.
- Add sliced teriyaki chicken, spoon over pineappleāpear salsa, and top with avocado slices if using.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds and extra cilantro for garnish.
ā Recipe FAQs
Q1: Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes! Thighs are juicier and hold marinade better, but breasts work fine if you donāt overcook them.
Q2: How do I make this vegetarian?
Swap chicken with grilled tofu or portobello mushrooms marinated in teriyaki sauce.
Q3: Can I make the salsa ahead of time?
Yesāmake it up to 4 hours ahead. Keep chilled, but add lime juice just before serving to prevent sogginess.
Q4: What tortillas are best?
Corn tortillas give authentic flavor, while flour tortillas are softer and hold more filling. Either works.
Q5: How do I store leftovers?
- Chicken: Store in an airtight container for 3 days.
- Salsa: Best eaten same day but can last 1ā2 days refrigerated.
- Assemble tacos just before eating to avoid soggy tortillas.
Q6: Can I make this spicier?
Add extra jalapeƱos, sriracha drizzle, or a spicy teriyaki glaze.
Q7: What sides go well with these tacos?
- Coconut rice or cilantro-lime rice
- Asian-style slaw
- Edamame with sea salt
- Crispy wonton chips with dipping sauce
Would you like me to also include a quick homemade teriyaki sauce recipe in case you donāt want to use bottled?