huli huli chicken recipe.

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Huli Huli Chicken Recipe

This Huli Huli Chicken is juicy, tender, smoky, and packed with sweet and savory Hawaiian-inspired flavor. Marinated in pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger, then grilled until beautifully caramelized, this easy chicken recipe is perfect for summer cookouts, family dinners, and tropical-inspired meals.

Huli Huli Chicken Recipe – Hawaiian Grilled Chicken

Make juicy Huli Huli Chicken at home with pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. This easy Hawaiian-inspired grilled chicken is sweet, savory, smoky, and delicious.

Why You'll Love This Huli Huli Chicken

  • Juicy and tender: The flavorful marinade helps keep the chicken moist and delicious.
  • Sweet and savory: Pineapple juice, brown sugar, and soy sauce create a wonderful balance of flavors.
  • Bold Hawaiian-inspired flavor: Garlic, ginger, pineapple, and soy sauce give the chicken a delicious tropical character.
  • Perfect for grilling: The chicken develops beautiful caramelized edges and a smoky grilled flavor.
  • Easy to make: The marinade comes together quickly with simple ingredients.
  • Great for summer: It is perfect for cookouts, barbecues, picnics, and family gatherings.
  • Family-friendly: The combination of sweet and savory flavors is appealing to both children and adults.
  • Versatile: Serve it with rice, macaroni salad, grilled pineapple, vegetables, or a fresh salad.
  • Make-ahead friendly: The chicken can be marinated ahead of time for convenient meal preparation.
  • Restaurant-style at home: The caramelized chicken and tropical marinade make an impressive homemade meal.

What Is Huli Huli Chicken?

Huli Huli Chicken is a popular Hawaiian-style grilled chicken dish known for its sweet, savory, smoky, and slightly tangy flavor. The chicken is traditionally associated with a marinade or glaze made with ingredients such as pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic.

The name Huli Huli is associated with the Hawaiian word huli, meaning "turn," reflecting the practice of turning the chicken while it cooks on the grill.

This homemade version uses a flavorful pineapple-soy marinade and a hot grill to create juicy chicken with beautifully caramelized edges.

Ingredients

For the Chicken

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, for grilling
  • 2–3 green onions, sliced, for garnish
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, optional

For the Huli Huli Marinade

  • ¾ cup pineapple juice
  • ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional

How to Make Huli Huli Chicken

1. Make the Marinade

Add the pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, honey, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to a bowl.

Whisk until the brown sugar is mostly dissolved and the ingredients are well combined.

2. Marinate the Chicken

Place the chicken thighs in a large resealable bag or shallow container.

Pour about two-thirds of the marinade over the chicken and turn to coat evenly.

Reserve the remaining marinade separately for cooking later.

Cover and refrigerate the chicken for 2–12 hours.

Avoid marinating the chicken for too long because the acidity from the pineapple juice can affect the texture.

3. Prepare the Grill

Preheat an outdoor grill to approximately 400–450°F (200–230°C).

Lightly oil the grill grates to help prevent the chicken from sticking.

4. Grill the Chicken

Remove the chicken from the marinade and allow excess marinade to drip off.

Place the chicken on the hot grill.

Grill for approximately 5–7 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the chicken.

Turn the chicken as needed to prevent excessive browning.

5. Make the Glaze

Pour the reserved unused marinade into a small saucepan.

Bring it to a boil and cook for several minutes, then reduce the heat and simmer until slightly thickened.

Do not use marinade that has been in contact with raw chicken unless it is thoroughly boiled first.

6. Glaze the Chicken

During the final few minutes of grilling, brush the cooked chicken with the prepared glaze.

Turn and brush again to create a glossy, caramelized coating.

Because the marinade contains sugar, watch the chicken carefully to prevent the glaze from burning.

7. Check for Doneness

Cook the chicken until the thickest part reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

A meat thermometer is the easiest way to check for doneness.

8. Rest and Serve

Transfer the grilled chicken to a clean plate and let it rest for about 5 minutes.

Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

Serve warm with your favorite Hawaiian-inspired side dishes.

Pro Tips for the Best Huli Huli Chicken

  • Use chicken thighs: Boneless chicken thighs stay particularly juicy on the grill.
  • Marinate properly: Give the chicken at least 2 hours for the flavors to develop.
  • Don't marinate too long: Pineapple juice contains enzymes that can change the texture of chicken when used for extended periods.
  • Reserve marinade before adding chicken: Always keep a separate portion for glazing.
  • Pat the chicken lightly dry: Removing excess marinade helps the chicken brown more effectively.
  • Preheat the grill: A properly heated grill creates better browning and helps prevent sticking.
  • Watch the sugar: Brown sugar and honey can caramelize quickly, so use moderate heat and watch the chicken closely.
  • Baste near the end: Applying the glaze during the final few minutes helps prevent burning.
  • Use a thermometer: Cook chicken to 165°F (74°C) for a reliable doneness check.
  • Don't press the chicken: Avoid pressing down on the chicken while grilling because it can release flavorful juices.
  • Let it rest: Resting for a few minutes allows the juices to redistribute.
  • Grill pineapple: Add fresh pineapple slices to the grill for a delicious tropical side.
  • Garnish at the end: Green onions and sesame seeds add freshness and texture.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Huli Huli Chicken with:

  • Steamed white rice
  • Coconut rice
  • Hawaiian macaroni salad
  • Grilled pineapple
  • Coleslaw
  • Hawaiian rolls
  • Grilled vegetables
  • Cucumber salad
  • Fresh fruit
  • Corn on the cob
  • Roasted potatoes
  • Simple green salad
  • Avocado

For a Hawaiian-inspired plate lunch, serve the chicken with white rice, creamy macaroni salad, and grilled pineapple.

Variations

Huli Huli Chicken Breasts

Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of thighs. Pound very thick breasts to an even thickness so they cook more evenly.

Spicy Huli Huli Chicken

Add extra red pepper flakes, sriracha, hot sauce, or finely chopped fresh chili to the marinade.

Huli Huli Chicken Skewers

Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and thread them onto skewers. Grill with pineapple and bell pepper for colorful chicken skewers.

Baked Huli Huli Chicken

Place the marinated chicken in a baking dish and bake at 400°F (200°C) until the thickest part reaches 165°F (74°C). Brush with the cooked glaze during the final few minutes.

Pineapple Huli Huli Chicken

Add fresh pineapple chunks or grilled pineapple slices when serving for extra tropical flavor.

Storage

Allow leftover Huli Huli Chicken to cool before transferring it to an airtight container.

Store in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

For longer storage, freeze cooked chicken for up to 3 months.

Thaw frozen chicken overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat the chicken gently in a covered skillet over medium-low heat with a small splash of water.

You can also reheat it in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warmed through.

Avoid overheating because chicken can become dry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Huli Huli mean?

The Hawaiian word huli means "turn." Huli Huli Chicken is associated with turning the chicken while it cooks on the grill.

What makes Huli Huli Chicken different?

Huli Huli Chicken is known for its sweet and savory Hawaiian-inspired flavor, typically combining ingredients such as pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger.

Can I use chicken breasts?

Yes. Chicken breasts work well, although chicken thighs are generally more forgiving on the grill and tend to remain juicier.

How long should I marinate Huli Huli Chicken?

Marinate the chicken for about 2–12 hours. Avoid leaving it in the pineapple-based marinade for excessively long periods because the acidity and enzymes can affect the texture.

Can I make Huli Huli Chicken without a grill?

Yes. You can cook it in the oven, on a grill pan, or in a heavy skillet. Finish with the cooked glaze for a similar sweet and savory flavor.

Can I use fresh pineapple juice?

Yes. Fresh pineapple juice can be used, although its natural enzymes are more active than those in canned or pasteurized pineapple juice. For that reason, avoid excessively long marinating times.

How do I prevent Huli Huli Chicken from burning?

Because the marinade contains brown sugar and honey, use moderate grill heat and apply the glaze mainly during the final few minutes of cooking.

Can I make Huli Huli Chicken ahead of time?

Yes. You can marinate the chicken ahead of time and refrigerate it until you are ready to grill. Cooked leftovers can also be refrigerated for convenient meals.

What should I serve with Huli Huli Chicken?

White rice, Hawaiian macaroni salad, grilled pineapple, coleslaw, grilled vegetables, and fresh fruit all pair well with the chicken.

Nutrition Facts

Approximate nutrition per serving, excluding side dishes:

  • Calories: 415 kcal
  • Protein: 37 g
  • Carbohydrates: 31 g
  • Total Fat: 17 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 145 mg
  • Sodium: 1,020 mg
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Sugar: 23 g

Nutrition information is an estimate and can vary depending on the size of the chicken pieces, marinade ingredients, and brands used.

Similar Recipes

  • Hawaiian BBQ Chicken
  • Hawaiian Shoyu Chicken
  • Pineapple Chicken
  • Hawaiian Chicken Teriyaki
  • Hawaiian Chicken Skewers
  • Grilled Pineapple Chicken
  • Teriyaki Chicken
  • Pineapple BBQ Chicken

Final Thoughts

Huli Huli Chicken is a delicious Hawaiian-inspired grilled chicken dish featuring juicy chicken coated in a sweet, savory, tangy, and slightly smoky pineapple-soy glaze. The combination of garlic, ginger, pineapple, and caramelized brown sugar creates incredible flavor in every bite.

Serve it with white rice, Hawaiian macaroni salad, grilled pineapple, fresh vegetables, or a simple salad for a complete tropical-inspired meal. It is perfect for summer barbecues, family dinners, weekend cookouts, and casual gatherings.

Try this easy Huli Huli Chicken recipe at home and enjoy juicy grilled chicken with sweet, savory, and delicious Hawaiian-inspired flavor in every bite!

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