Teriyaki Chicken Tacos

A copycat of Islands Restaurant Yaki Tacos - warm flour tortillas filled with tangy teriyaki chicken, sweet pineapple salsa, and crisp lettuce and creamy cheddar cheese. These Teriyaki Chicken Tacos are a perfect weeknight dinner that can be made in under 30 minutes! Serve alongside pinto beans and chips and salsa for a complete meal.

Why This Recipe Works

This recipe is a copycat of the dish served at Islands Restaurant, called Yaki Tacos. Not only is this meal delicious, but it is one of my 30 minute meals! Teriyaki tacos are flour tortillas filled with grilled chicken drizzled with teriyaki sauce, shredded lettuce, cheese, and pineapple salsa. That’s right, Asian and Mexican fusion in a tortilla. Sounds unusual, but the flavor delicious. Not only that, but it's also incredibly easy to make at home. I have a few shortcuts that will make this recipe a weeknight staple.

What Do I Need To Make Teriyaki Chicken Tacos?

All the ingredients for this recipe can be purchased at your local grocery store. Here are a few things to note:

• Cooked Chicken - There are a few options for choosing your cooked chicken.  Let me go over a few:

1. Shred the breast meat from a rotisserie chicken. I love this little cooking tip. The chicken is so tender and delicious.
2. Cook chicken breasts in the instant pot and shred. Just use the poultry setting and allow a natural release.
3. Boil chicken breasts and shred.
4. Grill chicken and dice.
5. Use pre-cooked chicken strips.

• Fresh pineapple, mango, bell pepper, jalapeño, red onion, and lime - to make a killer pineapple salsa that compliments the teriyaki chicken perfectly.
• Fresh ginger - I always purchase ginger in a tube. That way I can keep it in the fridge and store in longer than a fresh piece of ginger.

How To Make Teriyaki Chicken Tacos

Step 1: In a small saucepan prepare the homemade teriyaki sauce. Add soy sauce.

Step 2: Pour in water.

Step 3: Add in fresh ginger and minced garlic.

Step 4: Add in honey and brown sugar. Heat the pan over medium heat and whisk until well combined, stirring constantly until mixtures comes to a simmer. In a small bowl combine corn starch and water. Whisk until smooth. While whisking constantly, slowly stir in corn starch slurry. Continue whisking until thickened.

Step 5: Add cooked, shredded or diced chicken to the sauce. Toss to coat. Set aside.

Step 6: Prepare pineapple salsa, by dicing jalapeno, bell pepper, onion, pineapple, and mango. Combine all in a large bowl. Add in minced cilantro and a squeeze of lime. Add salt to taste.

Pro Tip - Use an onion chopper to easily dice your ingredients.

Step 7: Heat corn tortillas and add lettuce and shredded cheddar cheese.

Step 8: Top with teriyaki chicken and pineapple salsa. Serve Immediately.

Teriyaki Chicken Tacos FAQ

Expert Tips

Use and Onion Chopper - for easy and fast salsa making, we recommend using and onion chopper. Use can chop everything using this tool in a fraction of the time you can chop by hand.

Quick and Easy Pre-cooked Chicken - there are several options for cooked chicken, here are a few of my favorites.

1. Shred the breast meat from a rotisserie chicken. I love this little cooking tip. The chicken is so tender and delicious.
2. Cook chicken breasts in the instant pot and shred. Just use the poultry setting and allow a natural release.
3. Boil chicken breasts and shred.
4. Grill chicken and dice.
5. Use pre-cooked chicken strips.

Other Recipes You May Enjoy

If you're looking for other recipes that are perfect for taco Tuesday, check out our:

• Burrito Bowl
• Carnitas 
• Beef Barbacoa
• Fish Tacos

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