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+ servings

Hawaiian Chicken with Coconut Rice Bowls

Juicy teriyaki grilled chicken, charred pineapple, and crisp garden veggies over coconut rice make the ultimate Hawaiian bowl.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 1
Course: Chicken, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 561

Ingredients
  

For the Bowls
  • 6 tenders chicken tenders about 1 1/2 pounds
  • 2 medium zucchini sliced into thick rounds
  • 2 medium bell peppers cut into wide strips
  • 1/2 medium pineapple peeled, cored, and cut into spears
  • 1 medium red onion cut into wedges
  • 1 batch coconut rice enough for 6 bowls
  • as needed olive oil for brushing vegetables and pineapple
Teriyaki Sauce
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon packed light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch whisked with 2 teaspoons water
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional for heat

Method
 

  1. Prepare your coconut rice and keep it warm while you make the rest of the meal.
  2. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar, honey, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Whisk in the cornstarch mixture and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil for about 1 minute until the sauce coats the back of a spoon, then remove from heat.
  3. Pour 1/4 cup of the prepared teriyaki sauce over the raw chicken tenders and toss to coat. Let them marinate at least 15 minutes, or up to 30 minutes for deeper flavor.
  4. Preheat an outdoor grill or a grill pan over medium-high heat. If using a grill basket for vegetables, chop the zucchini, bell peppers, and red onion into bite-size pieces. Otherwise, keep the vegetables in large wedges or strips so they do not fall through the grates.
  5. Drizzle the vegetables and pineapple spears generously with olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper. Grill the vegetables in the basket or directly on the grates for 3 to 4 minutes per side until crisp-tender, then transfer to a plate.
  6. Place the pineapple spears directly on the grill and cook for about 2 minutes per side until nicely charred, then remove to the plate with the vegetables.
  7. Grill the marinated chicken tenders for 4 to 5 minutes per side, until cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
  8. To assemble, divide the coconut rice among 6 bowls. Top with grilled vegetables, charred pineapple, and sliced chicken. Drizzle with more teriyaki sauce and serve warm.

Nutrition

Calories: 561kcalCarbohydrates: 78gProtein: 33gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 870mgFiber: 4gSugar: 27g

Notes

For a faster weeknight version, use store-bought teriyaki sauce and microwaveable coconut rice, but homemade sauce really shines.
Coconut rice is easy to make at home: simmer 2 cups jasmine rice with 1 can coconut milk plus enough water to equal 2 cups and a pinch of salt.
If using chicken breasts instead of tenders, pound them to an even thickness and increase the marinade time to 30 minutes.
Keep the grill at medium-high heat and oil the grates well to prevent the pineapple and chicken from sticking.
Leftovers keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently to avoid drying out the chicken.
For a gluten-free bowl, swap the soy sauce with tamari or a certified gluten-free soy sauce.
Add a squeeze of fresh lime and a few slices of California avocado before serving for extra color and flavor.

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