Foil packet meals are a lifesaver for busy nights, camping trips, or simply when you don’t want to wash a pile of dishes. This recipe combines the savory-sweet flavors of teriyaki chicken with juicy pineapple and crisp veggies, all cooked together for a hassle-free, flavorful dinner.
Ingredients
(Serves 4)
- For the chicken and marinade:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
- 2 tbsp honey or brown sugar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger (optional)
- Juice of 1/2 lime
- For the foil packets:
- 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks (or canned, drained)
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup snap peas or broccoli florets
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Olive oil or nonstick cooking spray
- 4 sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil (about 12×18 inches each)
- Optional garnish:
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
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Instructions
- Marinate the chicken:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the teriyaki sauce, honey, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and lime juice.
- Place the chicken breasts in a zip-top bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Let them marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours for more flavor.
- Prep the foil packets:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) or heat up your grill to medium-high.
- Lightly coat each sheet of foil with olive oil or nonstick spray.
- Assemble the packets:
- Place one chicken breast in the center of each foil sheet.
- Arrange pineapple chunks, bell peppers, red onion, and snap peas around the chicken. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.
- Drizzle 1–2 tablespoons of the leftover marinade over the vegetables (discard the rest for food safety).
- Seal the packets:
- Bring the edges of the foil up over the chicken and vegetables, folding tightly to seal the packets. Leave a little room for steam to circulate.
- Cook:
- Oven method: Place the foil packets on a baking sheet and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C).
- Grill method: Place the packets directly on the grill and cook for 20–25 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
- Serve:
- Carefully open the packets (watch out for hot steam!) and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired.
- Serve as-is or over steamed rice for a heartier meal.
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Enjoy the perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors in these teriyaki chicken and pineapple foil packets! They’re sure to become a new favorite in your dinner rotation.
- Marinate the chicken:
