Discover a vibrant dinner upgrade with these Pineapple Teriyaki Meatballs made with ground chicken, aromatic garlic, and a zesty pineapple element. Perfectly suited for Chicken Teriyaki Meatballs Recipes, they deliver a harmonious balance of sweet and savory notes, capturing an irresistible fusion that elevates any meal. Indulge in flavor bliss.

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I love makin this Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs recipe because its a quick and healthy dinner option that only takes 30 minutes. I start with 1 lb ground chicken, mix in 1 egg and 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs along with salt and pepper, then blend in 2 cloves of minced garlic.

The sweet twist comes from an 8 oz can of crushed pineapple where i drain some juice and save about 1/4 cup for the sauce. For the homemade teriyaki sauce, I combine 1/3 cup soy sauce, the reserved 1/4 cup pineapple juice, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon honey.

I add 2 more minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon grated ginger, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, and 1 teaspoon cornstarch dissolved in water. Its a balanced meal with protein and a moderate level of sugars making it a great option for those interested in prediabetic recipes and healthy ground chicken meals.

Enjoy cookin and savor the flavors!

Why I Like this Recipe

I really dig this recipe for a bunch of reasons. First, I love how the sweet pineapple juice and teriyaki sauce kinda hit that perfect balance with the savory ground chicken. It’s like a flavor explosion that makes every bite interesting. Second, it’s so easy and fast to throw together—only 30 minutes from start to finish and that’s a lifesaver on those busy nights when I’m too tired to cook something complicated. Third, the homemade sauce makes it feel way more special than store bought stuff and knowing I made it myself gives me a sense of accomplishment. Lastly, every time I make these meatballs they always come out tender and juicy, so there’s never a dull moment on my plate.

Ingredients

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Ground chicken: lean protein that helps build strong muscle and makes tasty meatballs.
Crushed pineapple: adds natural sweetness and tangy flavor, plus fiber and vitamin C.
Egg: acts as a binder, adds extra protein, and improves the texture overall.
Panko breadcrumbs: provide structure and subtle crunch with essential carbohydrates for energy.
Soy sauce: gives a salty, savory kick essential for that irresistible teriyaki flavor.
Garlic: adds bold aroma, enhances taste and helps boost immune health naturally.
Ginger: provides a zesty warmth, aids digestion and complements sweet pineapple beautifully.

Ingredient Quantities

1 lb ground chicken

1 egg

1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs

1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple with juice (drain a bit but save about 1/4 cup juice)

2 cloves garlic, minced

Salt, to taste

Pepper, to taste

1/3 cup soy sauce (for the sauce)

1/4 cup pineapple juice (reserved from the can)

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon honey

2 cloves garlic, minced (for the sauce)

1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (or 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder)

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

1 teaspoon cornstarch dissolved in 1 tablespoon water

How to Make this

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1. Preheat your oven to 400°F and lightly grease a baking sheet.

2. In a bowl, mix together 1 lb of ground chicken, 1 egg, 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple (drain a bit but keep about 1/4 cup juice), 2 minced garlic cloves, salt and pepper to taste.

3. Form the mixture into meatballs about 1-
1.5 inches round and place them on the baking sheet.

4. Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes until they are fully cooked through.

5. While they’re baking, let’s make the sauce. In a small saucepan, combine 1/3 cup soy sauce, the 1/4 cup reserved pineapple juice, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon honey, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (or 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder) along with 1 tablespoon rice vinegar.

6. Bring the sauce mixture to a light simmer over medium heat, stirring often, so the sugar starts to dissolve.

7. Stir in the 1 teaspoon cornstarch dissolved in 1 tablespoon water to thicken the sauce, and let it cook for another minute.

8. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed, then turn off the heat.

9. Once the meatballs are done, either toss them directly in the saucepan or drizzle the sauce over the meatballs on a serving dish.

10. Serve your Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs hot, and enjoy your easy 30 minute dinner!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven – for baking at 400°F, necessary for even cooking of meatballs.
2. Baking sheet – lightly greased before placing the meatballs.
3. Large mixing bowl – to mix the ground chicken, egg, breadcrumbs, pineapple, garlic, salt, and pepper.
4. Measuring cups & spoons – to accurately measure ingredients like panko, soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, honey, rice vinegar, and cornstarch.
5. Knife and cutting board – to mince garlic and grate fresh ginger.
6. Small saucepan – for simmering and thickening the teriyaki sauce.
7. Spatula or stirring spoon – to mix ingredients in both the bowl and the saucepan.
8. Small bowl or cup – to dissolve the cornstarch in water.
9. Strainer (optional) – in case you need to remove extra juice from the crushed pineapple.
10. Serving dish – to arrange and serve the finished meatballs.

FAQ

Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?

Yep, you sure can. Just remember that turkey can be a bit lean so you may need to add a bit more seasoning or a splash of extra pineapple juice to keep things moist.

Should i drain all the pineapple juice from the can?

Not really. Drain most of it but keep around 1/4 cup to mix with the sauce. That helps give the sauce a sweet tang.

What is the best cooking method for these meatballs?

I usually bake them in the oven at 375°F for about 20-25 minutes. If you prefer pan-frying then go for it, but make sure to turn them so they cook evenly.

Can I prepare these meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, you can prep them in advance. They freeze well so you can make a big batch and save some for later.

Any tips to prevent the meatballs from drying out?

Keep an eye on the cooking time and avoid overcooking. Also, tossing them in extra teriyaki sauce near the end helps keep them nice and moist.

Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs Recipe Substitutions and Variations

If you dont have ground chicken, you can use ground turkey or lean ground pork instead
If you run out of panko breadcrumbs, you might swap in regular breadcrumbs or crushed crackers
If soy sauce isn’t available or you need a gluten free option, try tamari or even coconut aminos
If you cant get pineapple juice, use orange or apple juice in its place

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you let the pineapple drain enough before mixing it with the chicken. If you overdo it, the meatballs might end up too dry, but you still want enough juice in the sauce to give it some zing.
2. Preheat that oven fully so the meatballs cook evenly. I’ve lost count of the times my oven wasn’t hot enough and the meatballs came out underdone in the middle.
3. Keep a close eye on the sauce while it simmers, and stir it lots. Sometimes, if you’re not careful, the sugar can burn and then the sauce tastes off.
4. For an extra boost of flavor, toss the meatballs in the sauce right after baking. This helps each one soak up the sweet and savory flavors, even if it might get a little messy.

Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs Recipe

Recipe by Toni Baldesera

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

400

kcal

Equipment: 1. Oven – for baking at 400°F, necessary for even cooking of meatballs.
2. Baking sheet – lightly greased before placing the meatballs.
3. Large mixing bowl – to mix the ground chicken, egg, breadcrumbs, pineapple, garlic, salt, and pepper.
4. Measuring cups & spoons – to accurately measure ingredients like panko, soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, honey, rice vinegar, and cornstarch.
5. Knife and cutting board – to mince garlic and grate fresh ginger.
6. Small saucepan – for simmering and thickening the teriyaki sauce.
7. Spatula or stirring spoon – to mix ingredients in both the bowl and the saucepan.
8. Small bowl or cup – to dissolve the cornstarch in water.
9. Strainer (optional) – in case you need to remove extra juice from the crushed pineapple.
10. Serving dish – to arrange and serve the finished meatballs.

Ingredients

1 lb ground chicken
1 egg
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple with juice (drain a bit but save about 1/4 cup juice)
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
1/3 cup soy sauce (for the sauce)
1/4 cup pineapple juice (reserved from the can)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon honey
2 cloves garlic, minced (for the sauce)
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (or 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder)
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon cornstarch dissolved in 1 tablespoon water

Directions

Preheat your oven to 400°F and lightly grease a baking sheet.
In a bowl, mix together 1 lb of ground chicken, 1 egg, 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple (drain a bit but keep about 1/4 cup juice), 2 minced garlic cloves, salt and pepper to taste.
Form the mixture into meatballs about 1-
5 inches round and place them on the baking sheet.
Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes until they are fully cooked through.
While they’re baking, let’s make the sauce. In a small saucepan, combine 1/3 cup soy sauce, the 1/4 cup reserved pineapple juice, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon honey, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (or 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder) along with 1 tablespoon rice vinegar.
Bring the sauce mixture to a light simmer over medium heat, stirring often, so the sugar starts to dissolve.
Stir in the 1 teaspoon cornstarch dissolved in 1 tablespoon water to thicken the sauce, and let it cook for another minute.
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed, then turn off the heat.
Once the meatballs are done, either toss them directly in the saucepan or drizzle the sauce over the meatballs on a serving dish.
Serve your Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs hot, and enjoy your easy 30 minute dinner!

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.