Teriyaki Chicken Pineapple Wraps (Print)

Tender chicken glazed with teriyaki, pineapple, fresh herbs, and crunchy veggies wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves.

# Components:

→ Chicken & Marinade

01 - 1 pound 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 fresh ginger, grated
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 - Extra chopped cilantro
20 - Lime wedges

# Directions:

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 - Whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, add cornstarch slurry while stirring constantly, and cook until thickened, 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 crisp texture.
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 the 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 on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It feels fancy enough to serve guests but comes together faster than ordering takeout.
  • The balance of sweet pineapple, umami teriyaki, and fresh herbs actually makes your taste buds sing instead of just filling you up.
  • Lettuce wraps are inherently lighter, so you can eat more without feeling weighed down.
  • Everything can be prepped ahead, which means less stress when you're ready to cook.
02 -
  • Don't skip the cornstarch slurry or your sauce will be thin and runny instead of clinging beautifully to every bite.
  • Fresh pineapple makes an enormous difference—canned pineapple releases too much liquid and makes everything soggy, a discovery that changed how these wraps actually turned out.
03 -
  • Chicken thighs are more forgiving than breasts and stay juicy longer, so resist the urge to upgrade to leaner meat.
  • Toasting your own sesame seeds right before serving makes them taste twice as vibrant compared to pre-toasted versions sitting in your pantry.
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