Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken – Easy Grilled Chicken Recipes You’ll Crave
We all know that one dish that reminds us of a vacation we never want to end, right? This Hawaiian style teriyaki chicken is mine. It’s sweet, savory, smoky, and a little sticky – in the best way. I made this once on a Tuesday and it suddenly felt like Saturday in Maui.
This recipe is one of my go-tos for quick and easy recipes that actually taste like they took hours. It’s ideal for easy recipes for dinner, especially when I want something healthy, air fryer-friendly, or Korean-inspired without going full MasterChef.
We’re working with juicy chicken thighs, a homemade teriyaki marinade that doesn’t mess around, and grill marks that scream ‘I know what I’m doing’. If you’ve got 15 minutes and a grill pan, you’ve got yourself one of the best easy grilled chicken recipes to add to your rotation.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup soy sauce
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar (yes, a whole cup, live a little)
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 2 green onions, chopped (optional but fun)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, water, sugar, garlic, and ginger until the sugar’s dissolved and you’re proud of yourself.
- Place chicken thighs in a large Ziploc bag or a shallow dish. Pour in the marinade. Cover or seal and let it hang out in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or overnight if you're planning ahead (look at you!).
- Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium heat. Remove chicken from marinade and discard the marinade like the strong, decisive cook you are.
- Grill chicken for about 5-7 minutes on each side until nicely charred and fully cooked (165°F inside). Let it rest for a few minutes – it’s earned it.
- Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds before serving, if you’re feeling fancy.