Easy Teriyaki Chicken and Pineapple Foil Packets Recipe

Simple One-Pan Dinner That’s Perfect for Busy Weeknights

This healthy teriyaki chicken recipe is cooked in foil packets, making cleanup easy and keeping all the flavors locked in. The sweet pineapple and tender vegetables make this a complete meal that the whole family will love.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy cleanup – everything cooks in foil packets
• Healthy and nutritious – packed with lean protein and fresh vegetables
• Quick to make – ready in just 30 minutes
• Great for meal prep – make several packets at once
• Perfect portion control – each packet is one serving

What You Need

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
• 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 carrot, thinly sliced
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 2 green onions, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Aluminum foil for wrapping

Step-by-Step Instructions

Getting Started:

1. Heat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This is the perfect temperature for cooking chicken thoroughly while keeping it tender.
2. Prepare your foil by cutting two large pieces of aluminum foil. Each piece should be about 12 inches long. Lay them flat on your kitchen counter.

Assembling Your Packets:

3. Season the chicken by placing each chicken breast in the center of each foil piece. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper on both sides.
4. Add the vegetables and fruit by placing pineapple chunks, bell pepper slices, carrot slices, and zucchini slices on top of each chicken breast. Spread them out evenly.
5. Add the sauce by pouring the teriyaki sauce evenly over the chicken and vegetables in each packet.

Sealing and Cooking:

6. Create your packets by bringing the long sides of the foil together over the chicken. Fold the edges together and roll them down to seal. Then fold up the short ends to make a completely sealed packet.
7. Bake the packets by placing them on a baking sheet and putting them in the preheated oven. Cook for 25-30 minutes.
8. Check if done by carefully opening one packet (watch out for hot steam!) and checking that the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C) with a meat thermometer. The chicken should be white all the way through with no pink color.

Serving:

9. Serve carefully by opening each packet slowly to avoid the hot steam. Sprinkle chopped green onions on top before eating.

Helpful Tips for Success

• Choose the right chicken size – if your chicken breasts are very thick (more than 1 inch), pound them thinner or slice them in half to ensure even cooking
• Cut vegetables evenly – this helps everything cook at the same rate
• Don’t overfill packets – leave room for steam to circulate
• Test for doneness – always check that chicken is fully cooked before serving

Nutrition Benefits

This meal provides lean protein from chicken, vitamin C from bell peppers and pineapple, and fiber from all the fresh vegetables. The foil packet cooking method requires minimal oil, making it a heart-healthy dinner option.

Storage and Reheating

Leftover chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes or microwave for 1-2 minutes until heated through.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
Total Time: 35-40 minutes
Serves: 2 people