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Pineapple Jalapeño Teriyaki Smash Tacos (Fresh, Sweet, Spicy & Ready in 20 Minutes)

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Servings: 8

Ingredients

Chicken Smash

  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • 8 small corn or flour tortillas
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper

Teriyaki Glaze

Pineapple Jalapeño Topping

  • 1 cup diced pineapple fresh or canned, drained
  • 1 jalapeño thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp chopped cilantro
  • Pinch of salt
  • Optional: chili flakes or Tajín

Lime‑Sesame Purple Cabbage Slaw

  • 1 cup finely shredded purple cabbage
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp Greek yogurt or mayo
  • Pinch of salt
  • Pinch of black pepper
  • ½ tsp honey optional
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds

Optional: thinly sliced green onion

  • Garnish
  • Extra cilantro
  • Sesame seeds
  • Green onion
  • Lime wedges

Instructions

Make the Slaw

  • In a bowl, whisk lime juice, rice vinegar, sesame oil, Greek yogurt/mayo, salt, pepper, and honey.
  • Toss with shredded cabbage until lightly coated.
  • Finish with sesame seeds and green onion.
  • Set aside (or refrigerate up to 2 hours for best crunch).

Season the Chicken

  • Mix ground chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

Smash the Tacos

  • Place a small ball (3-4 tbsp) of chicken in the center of each tortilla.
  • Smash firmly with a spatula until the chicken spreads close to the edges.

Cook

  • Heat a lightly oiled skillet over medium‑high.
  • Place tacos meat-side down and cook 3–4 minutes until crispy and golden.
  • Flip and warm the tortilla side for 1–2 minutes.

Brush with Teriyaki Glaze

  • Whisk glaze ingredients.
  • Brush generously onto the crispy chicken side while warm.

Caramelize the Pineapple

  • In the same pan, sauté pineapple for 2–3 minutes until golden and caramelized.
  • Add jalapeño slices and cook 1 minute more.
  • Toss with lime juice, cilantro, and a pinch of salt.

Assemble

  • Layer in this order:
  • Crispy smashed chicken, Purple cabbage slaw, Pineapple jalapeño topping, Sesame seeds, cilantro, green onion