Ingredients
Method
- Prepare your coconut rice and keep it warm while you make the rest of the meal.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
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.
