Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a medium bowl, combine the ground chicken, panko breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, grated ginger, salt, and black pepper.1 pound ground chicken, 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1 large egg, 2 cloves garlic, minced, 1 inch fresh ginger, grated, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Gently mix the ingredients with your hands until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough meatballs.
- Roll the chicken mixture into small meatballs, about 1-inch in diameter. You should yield approximately 20-24 meatballs.
- Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet or a heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat.1 tablespoon olive oil
- Carefully add the meatballs to the hot skillet in a single layer. Sear them for about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides. This step is crucial for developing flavor and helping the meatballs hold their shape.
- While the meatballs are searing, prepare the teriyaki sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, and honey (or brown sugar).1/2 cup teriyaki sauce, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
- Once the meatballs are nicely browned, reduce the heat to medium. Pour the teriyaki sauce mixture over the meatballs in the skillet.
- Add the pineapple chunks to the skillet, distributing them evenly around the meatballs.1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
- In a separate small cup, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth. This creates a slurry that will thicken the sauce.1 teaspoon cornstarch, 2 tablespoons water
- Pour the cornstarch slurry into the skillet. Stir gently to incorporate it into the sauce.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer, then cover the skillet (if your skillet isn't oven-safe and you plan to finish it on the stovetop, otherwise preheat your oven to 375°F / 190°C).
- Simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency. If using an oven-safe skillet, you can transfer it to the preheated oven to bake for the same amount of time.
- If desired, remove the lid during the last few minutes of cooking to allow the sauce to reduce further and the toppings to toast slightly.
- Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving.sliced green onions, sesame seeds
Notes
This is a perfect weeknight meal that requires minimal cleanup since it's all made in one pan. The balance of sweet and savory is delightful.
