Trader Joe’s Recipe – Soyaki Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs
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I love a dinner that comes together in less than 15 minutes, especially on busy weeknights when I’m juggling kids, school, work — you name it. This 5 ingredients or less Trader Joe’s Recipe has become one of my go-to’s: Soyaki Pineapple Chicken Meatballs with stir-fry veggies and jasmine rice. It’s quick, easy, healthy, and kid-friendly. (Here is the timer and my kid’s plate for reference. lol)
This is the kind of easy Trader Joe’s dinner recipe that feels like an easy takeout dinner, but it is way lighter, fresher, and DEFINITELY cheaper. My kids gobble it up, and I love that it’s balanced with protein, veggies, and rice. This is a quick and easy dinner that is no fuss, no stress!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Trader Joe’s Recipe
- Quick – less than 15 minutes start to finish.
- 5 ingredients or less – no giant shopping list required.
- Healthy – chicken meatballs, veggies, and light jasmine rice.
- Kid-friendly – sweet, tangy, and not too spicy.
- Customizable – swap in any veggies or rice you like.
This is one of those Trader Joe’s recipes I come back to over and over again because it checks all the boxes.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Pineapple Chicken Teriyaki Meatballs
Here’s all you need to make this dinner happen:
- Trader Joe’s Chicken Meatballs (pre-cooked, they brown up fast)
- Trader Joe’s Soyaki Sauce (sweet, tangy, garlicky, and perfect for stir-fry)
- Pineapple chunks (canned or fresh, both work!)
- Stir-fry veggies (fresh or frozen mix from TJ’s — whatever’s easy)
- Jasmine rice (I love their frozen microwaveable packs for super quick dinners)
That’s it — a five-ingredient Trader Joe’s dinner!
How to Make Trader Joe’s Soyaki Pineapple Chicken Meatballs
This easy Trader Joe’s recipe comes together in a few quick steps:
- Brown the meatballs – In a skillet with a little oil (I used spray avocado oil), brown the chicken meatballs, and set them aside.
- Cook the veggies + pineapple – To the same pan, add the stir-fry veggies and pineapple. After a couple of minutes, add a splash of water and put the lid on to steam the veggies until finished.
- Add the meatballs back into the pan.
- Add sauce – Pour in Soyaki sauce and toss to coat all the veggies and meatballs. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes until everything’s hot and coated.
- Cook the rice – I just microwave Trader Joe’s frozen jasmine rice (3 minutes and done).
Serve it all over rice, and dinner is ready!
Variations & Tips for this Easy Meal
- Spicy version – Add a little sriracha or crushed red pepper during or after cooking.
- Low-carb – Swap jasmine rice for cauliflower rice.
- Extra veggies – Toss in whatever veggies you like! Bok choy or cabbage would be great.
- Meal prep – Double the recipe and portion it out for easy lunches.
Why This Is One of the Best Easy Trader Joe’s Recipes
Between school, activities, and work, I need weeknight dinners that are fast, healthy, and kid-approved. This one is all of that, plus it feels a little more fun than just chicken and rice stir-fry. The sweet pineapple with the savory Soyaki sauce makes it taste like takeout, but lighter and fresher.
This meal is proof that with just a few smart Trader Joe’s shortcuts, you can have a homemade dinner on the table in under 15 minutes — no stress required.
Trader Joe’s Soyaki Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1-2 tbsp Olive Oil I used a spray of Trader Joe’s Avocado Oil.
- 1 package Trader Joe’s Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs
- 1 package Trader Joe’s Stir-fry Vegetables
- 1-2 cups Pineapple
- 1/2 cup Trader Joe’s Soyaki Sauce
- 1 package Trader Joe’s Frozen Jasmine Rice
Instructions
- Brown the meatballs – In a skillet over medium heat, add a little oil (I used spray avocado oil), brown the chicken meatballs on all sides until they’re heated through, and set them aside.1 package Trader Joe’s Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs, 1-2 tbsp Olive Oil
- Add the Pineapple to the pan – To the same pan, add the chopped pineapple. Let it carmelize just a bit before adding the veggies.1-2 cups Pineapple
- Cook the veggies – To the same pan, add the stir-fry veggies and pineapple. After a couple of minutes, add a splash of water and put the lid on to steam the veggies until finished.1 package Trader Joe’s Stir-fry Vegetables
- Add the meatballs back into the pan.
- Add sauce – Pour in Soyaki sauce and toss to coat all the veggies and meatballs. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes until everything’s hot and coated.1/2 cup Trader Joe’s Soyaki Sauce
- Cook the rice – I just microwave Trader Joe’s frozen jasmine rice (3 minutes and done).1 package Trader Joe’s Frozen Jasmine Rice
- Serve the meatballs and veggies over the rice!
Notes
- To keep my recipes a little lighter I use spray cooking oil like this Spray Avocado Oil from Trader Joe’s.
- Any stir-fry veggies work. Or even just some broccoli or a bell pepper. Any veggies that you like.
- The meatballs are pre-cooked, so they just need to be heated through. I like to brown them for added flavor.
- I like to add a few tbsp of water and cover the veggies with a lid. This allows for them to finish cooking in the steam and it gets all the yummy brown bits off the bottom of the pan from cooking the meatballs.
- This is a great meal-prep recipe and easily makes 4-5 meals. Enjoy!
Nutrition
FAQs About Trader Joe’s Soyaki Pineapple Chicken Meatballs
Yes! Trader Joe’s Sweet Chili sauce would also work. Or, go sauce-free!
Nope — the chicken meatballs are fully cooked. You just need to heat them through. I like to brown them a little for extra flavor, but it isn’t necessary.
Yes. Store in the fridge up to 3 days. Just reheat in the microwave or skillet. This is a great meal-prep recipe.
Totally. It’s sweet, tangy, and not spicy at all — my kids loved it.
And there you have it: a quick, healthy, 5-ingredient Trader Joe’s recipe that feels like takeout but takes less than 15 minutes to make.
Make sure to pin the image below, tag me @foundre.life on Instagram and leave a review or comment if you make this recipe. ENJOY!