Huli Huli Chicken is a delightful Hawaiian-inspired dish that brings a taste of the islands right to your kitchen. This recipe is all about juicy, grilled chicken with a sweet and savory glaze that’s sure to impress.
For this recipe, you’ll use simple yet flavorful ingredients like soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, and a hint of chili. These come together to create a marinade that makes the chicken tender and full of flavor.
Though the recipe takes over 4 hours from start to finish, the results are well worth the wait. The time invested ensures a perfect balance of sweet and savory with a caramelized exterior that’s simply irresistible.
Give this recipe a try and bring a touch of Hawaii to your dining table. I’d love to hear how it turns out for you—feel free to share your own Huli Huli Chicken stories and tips!
Why I Love This Recipe?
- I’ve found it’s the perfect way to shake up our weekly meal routine – it feels like a mini vacation on a plate!
- The marinade doubles as a fantastic basting sauce, which means less prep work and more flavor.
- It’s incredibly versatile – I’ve used it for chicken thighs, breasts, and even as a glaze for grilled pineapple.
- My kids, who can be picky eaters, always clean their plates when Huli Huli Chicken is on the menu.
- It’s become my go-to for summer barbecues, always impressing guests with its unique flavor profile.
Try These Flavorful Chicken Recipes For A New Twist
Huli Huli Chicken Recipe
This tasty and flavorful Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken is ideal for a fun summer BBQ. It's marinated for hours and then grilled to perfection. You can even bake it if you like!
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Calories: 826kcal
Servings: 6
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- Whisk
- Measuring Cups
- Baking sheet
- Parchment Paper
Ingredients
- 4 pounds boneless chicken thighs – or bone-in
- ½ cup light brown sugar – packed
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 cup canned pineapple juice – do not use fresh pineapple juice
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon minced fresh ginger
- 4 cloves minced ginger
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Fresh pineapple slices – to serve as a side
- Vegetable oil – for the grill
- Sliced green onions – for garnish
- ½ cup light soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Mix brown sugar, ketchup, pineapple juice, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, ginger, garlic, paprika, and black pepper in a resealable bag.
- Reserve ½ cup of marinade in the fridge for basting.
- Add chicken thighs to the marinade, coat evenly, seal, and refrigerate for 4-6 hours or overnight.
- Let chicken sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes. Preheat and oil the grill.
- Grill chicken for 6 minutes on one side, flip, cook for 3 minutes, baste with reserved marinade, flip, and cook for another 1-2 minutes per side, about 15-16 minutes total. Rest for 10 minutes.
- Grill pineapple slices until marked.
- Serve chicken with grilled pineapple and garnish with green onions. Enjoy!
Notes
- Storing Leftovers: Place leftover Huli Huli chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate. It will stay fresh for 3-4 days.
- Serving Suggestions: Enjoy leftovers cold in a salad or reheat them. To reheat, do so gently to maintain crispiness, either in a preheated oven or on the stovetop.
- Grilling Tips: The sugar in the Huli Huli marinade can cause burning. Watch the heat, lower it if the chicken chars too quickly, use indirect heat to cook through, then return to direct heat for a crispy finish. Baste with extra marinade only at the end.
Nutrition
Calories: 826kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 52g | Fat: 50g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g | Monounsaturated Fat: 21g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 296mg | Sodium: 1575mg | Potassium: 917mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 3mg
Fun And Flavorful Add-ons For Huli Huli Chicken
- Add Pineapple: Swap the sherry for unsweetened pineapple juice to enhance the flavor. Just stick with canned pineapple juice—fresh juice can make the meat mushy due to its enzymes.
- Try Different Cuts of Chicken: Experiment with boneless skinless chicken breasts or bone-in thighs. For a fun twist, use the marinade on chicken wings. Adjust cooking times: 165°F for white meat and 170°F for dark meat.
- Huli Huli Pork Chops: Use the marinade on pork chops for a delicious variation. The flavors work exceptionally well with grilled pork.
- Oven or Broiler Method: No grill? No problem. Sear the chicken in a skillet or grill pan, then transfer it to a 375°F oven for baking and basting. Alternatively, use the broiler for a crispy finish without the grill.
What To Serve With Huli Huli Chicken?
