Teriyaki Chicken Pineapple Wraps (Printable Version)

Tender chicken glazed with teriyaki sauce, pineapple, and crisp vegetables wrapped in fresh lettuce leaves.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken & Marinade

01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, diced
02 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
03 - 1 tablespoon mirin or dry sherry
04 - 1 tablespoon brown sugar
05 - 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
06 - 1 clove garlic, minced

→ Teriyaki Sauce

07 - 4 tablespoons soy sauce
08 - 2 tablespoons honey
09 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
10 - 1 tablespoon sesame oil
11 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water

→ Vegetables & Wraps

12 - 1 small fresh pineapple, diced, about 1 cup
13 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
14 - 2 spring onions, finely sliced
15 - 1 carrot, julienned
16 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
17 - 1 head butter lettuce or iceberg lettuce, leaves separated and washed

→ Garnishes

18 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
19 - Additional chopped cilantro
20 - Lime wedges

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Combine diced chicken with soy sauce, mirin, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic in a bowl. Allow to marinate for at least 15 minutes.
02 - In a small saucepan, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add the cornstarch slurry while stirring until sauce thickens, approximately 2 minutes. Set aside.
03 - Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken, discarding excess marinade, and sauté until cooked through and lightly browned, about 6 to 8 minutes.
04 - Add diced pineapple and red bell pepper to the skillet. Stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until heated through while maintaining crispness.
05 - Pour prepared teriyaki sauce over the chicken mixture. Toss to coat evenly and cook for 1 to 2 minutes more. Remove from heat.
06 - Arrange lettuce leaves on a serving platter. Spoon chicken-pineapple mixture into each leaf. Top with julienned carrot, spring onions, and chopped cilantro.
07 - Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and serve with lime wedges.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Light enough for a weeknight dinner but impressive enough to serve guests without apology.
  • The teriyaki glaze is homemade and actually simpler than you'd think, tasting infinitely better than bottled versions.
  • Naturally dairy-free and naturally lower in carbs if you care about that sort of thing.
02 -
  • Don't skip the marinating step even if you're in a hurry; those 15 minutes transform the chicken from bland to actually interesting.
  • The cornstarch slurry must be added slowly to the warm sauce while stirring or it'll clump up and you'll spend five minutes trying to smooth it out.
03 -
  • Chill your lettuce leaves in the fridge for at least 10 minutes before serving so they stay crisp and don't wilt from the warm filling.
  • Toast your own sesame seeds in a dry skillet for 2 minutes just before serving; the aroma and fresh flavor is worth those two minutes.
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