Baked Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Teriyaki Recipe | LaaLoosh (2024)

FAQs

Is Hawaiian the same as teriyaki? ›

The main difference between Japanese Teriyaki and Hawaiian, is there is no Mirin or Saki in it, as they used to be hard to come by in the islands."

Juicy pieces of chicken, fried up with peppers, onions and pineapple chunks in a simple, sweet and savoury stir-fry sauce. This is my go-to recipe when I've got a hankering for a sweet and sour style dinner, but I haven't got the time to coat and fry up chicken pieces.

Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain, which breaks down protein. Combined with a marinade, it can help tenderize tough pieces of meat like chicken thighs containing more connective tissues. It will also soften chicken breasts, but don't let it sit too long as the meat will contract, causing moisture loss.

Huli-Huli Sauce was originally a teriyaki sauce, which in Japan, is a simple blend of soy sauce, mirin (a sweet rice wine), and a little sugar reduced to a glaze. But nowadays there are scores of variations on the theme. It is allowed to truly shined in this grilled chicken recipe.

Soy Sauce and Brown Sugar

A simple and effective substitute for teriyaki sauce is a combination of soy sauce and brown sugar. The soy sauce provides the salty umami flavor, while the brown sugar adds sweetness and helps to caramelize the dish. To make this substitute, mix one part soy sauce with one part brown sugar.

However, what many people do not know is pineapple has an enzyme called bromelain that softens muscle fiber. This enzyme reacts with the protein in the meat to break it down and increases the meat's potential to absorb more moisture. This is the reason why pineapple is one of the most preferred tenderizers.

In the case of pineapples, the bromelain is actually a mixture of two enzymes classed as proteases that break down proteins. These proteases target the large protein molecules in meats (specifically the connective proteins called collagen), and break them down into shorter segments.

The key ingredient lies within the pineapple itself: bromelain. This enzyme is the active ingredient that tenderizes meats naturally, breaking down tough protein fibers. As the meat marinates, bromelain gently breaks down these fibers, resulting in a noticeably softer, more tender texture.

Although there are plenty of health benefits included with the consumption of pineapple, the fruit is also high in fructose, which is another way of saying sugars. Too much sugar in your chicken's diet can cause all sorts of issues, so it's important to always feed your chicken pineapple in moderation.

Ever notice how the chicken in stir fries at your favourite Chinese restaurant is incredibly tender? It's because they tenderise chicken using a simple method called Velveting Chicken using baking soda. It's a quick and easy method that any home cook can do, and can also be used for beef.

Can I use canned pineapple to tenderize meat? ›

Can you tenderize steak with canned pineapple juice? - THE FOODIE GROUP - Quora. Can you tenderize steak with canned pineapple juice? You can, if you like a little pineapple flavor in your steak. Pineapples contain bromelian, an enzyme that breaks down the protein strands in meat, making it more tender.

Sauces often used as a teriyaki substitute usually focus on an aspect of the flavour, for example tangy barbecue, salty oyster sauce or sweet hoisin.

The word Shoyu originates from Japan and is a term widely accepted in Hawaii which refers to Soy Sauce.

However, upon further research into the origins and history of teriyaki, we quickly found that teriyaki chicken actually does not come from Japan. In Japan, you'll be hard-pressed to find teriyaki restaurants solely focused on teriyaki. According to some food historians, teriyaki is actually from Hawaii.

The problem is that the American concept of teriyaki sauce is quite different from the traditional Japanese version. As a result, there are two distinct classes of sauce on the market, both of which are labeled "teriyaki." Traditional Japanese-style teriyaki is actually the name of the cooking technique, not the sauce.