Easy Huli Huli Chicken Recipe: Hawaiian Grilled Goodness

Hawaii’s vibrant cuisine offers this mouthwatering huli huli chicken recipe that captures island sunshine on your plate.

Tender marinated meat brings explosive flavors from a sweet and tangy sauce that dances across your taste buds.

Local cooks have perfected this grilling technique over generations, creating a dish that sings with tropical ingredients.

Pineapple juice and soy sauce combine to create a glaze that caramelizes beautifully on the grill or in your oven.

Succulent chicken pieces absorb complex flavors, promising a meal that transports you directly to Pacific coastal landscapes.

Each bite tells a story of culinary tradition and passionate cooking techniques.

Let this recipe become your next weekend cooking adventure that impresses everyone at the table.

Why Huli Huli Chicken Recipe Stands Out

• Unlock Tropical Flavor Explosion: Huli Huli Chicken bursts with a mouthwatering blend of sweet, tangy pineapple and savory soy sauce that transports your taste buds to Hawaiian paradise.
• Master Effortless Grilling Magic: This recipe requires minimal prep work, with a simple marinade that transforms ordinary chicken into a restaurant-quality dish that impresses family and friends without complex cooking techniques.
• Quick Weeknight Dinner Champion: From marinating to grilling, the entire process is straightforward and time-efficient, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Customize Your Culinary Adventure: The flexible recipe allows easy adjustments for different preferences, whether you want to use chicken thighs or breasts, adjust spice levels, or experiment with additional marinades.

Huli Huli Chicken Recipe Ingredient List

• Pineapple Juice: Tangy base that helps tenderize chicken and adds tropical sweetness.
• Soy Sauce: Provides deep umami flavor and saltiness to the marinade.
• Brown Sugar: Adds caramel-like sweetness and helps create a delicious glaze.
• Ketchup: Contributes rich tomato flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
• Rice Vinegar: Brings balanced acidity and brightness to the marinade.

• Garlic, Ginger: Fresh aromatics that provide depth and authentic Hawaiian flavor profile.
• Sesame Oil: Optional ingredient that adds nutty, rich undertone to the marinade.

• Cornstarch, Water: Creates a smooth thickening agent for the marinade sauce, optional step for those wanting a more robust consistency.

• Chicken: Main protein that absorbs the delicious Hawaiian-style marinade, best with bone-in or boneless chicken pieces.

Simple Huli Huli Chicken Recipe Steps

Step 1: Craft Flavor-Packed Marinade

• Freshly squeezed pineapple juice
• Rich soy sauce
• Dark brown sugar
• Tangy ketchup
• Zesty rice vinegar
• Crushed garlic
• Grated fresh ginger
• Fragrant sesame oil

Mix these ingredients in a large bowl, whisking until the sugar completely dissolves and the mixture becomes smooth and glossy.

Step 2: Infuse Chicken with Tropical Goodness

Nestle chicken pieces into a large ziplock bag or wide container. Pour the vibrant marinade over the chicken, ensuring every piece gets completely coated. Seal tightly and slide into the refrigerator. Let the chicken soak up all those incredible flavors for 4 to 12 hours.

Step 3: Fire Up the Grill

Prepare your grill by heating it to a medium-high temperature. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess liquid drip off. Save the remaining marinade for basting and potential sauce creation.

Step 4: Grill to Perfection

Place chicken on the hot grill, allowing each side to cook for 6 to 8 minutes. Brush with reserved marinade periodically to build layers of flavor. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the exterior develops a beautiful caramelized crust.

Step 5: Create Luscious Sauce (Optional)

Transform the leftover marinade into a rich, glossy sauce. Pour into a small saucepan and bring to a rolling boil. Reduce heat and let it simmer. Create a cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch with water, then stir into the sauce. Cook until the sauce thickens and becomes gloriously shiny.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer the grilled chicken to a serving platter. Drizzle with the optional thickened sauce. Pair with steamed rice, grilled pineapple, or a crisp tropical salad for a complete Hawaiian-inspired meal.

Smart Huli Huli Chicken Recipe Tips

• Marinate Overnight for Maximum Flavor: Let the chicken soak in the marinade for at least 4 hours, but overnight is even better. The longer it sits, the more deeply the sweet and tangy flavors will penetrate the meat.
• Safely Manage Marinade: Never use the raw marinade directly on cooked chicken. Boil the reserved marinade first to kill any harmful bacteria, then use it as a delicious basting sauce or thickened glaze.
• Grill to Perfect Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internally. This guarantees juicy, safe-to-eat meat without drying out the tender chicken.
• Create a Quick Sauce Hack: Simmer the leftover marinade and thicken with cornstarch for an instant glaze. This extra step transforms the marinade into a rich, sticky sauce that's perfect for drizzling.
• Customize Your Cooking Method: No grill? No problem! You can easily adapt this recipe to oven roasting or even using a cast-iron skillet for equally delicious results.

Storage Rules For Huli Huli Chicken Recipe

• Refrigerate leftover Huli Huli chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
• Ensure the chicken is completely cooled before storing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap or separate layers with parchment paper to maintain moisture and prevent sticking.
• Reheat gently in the microwave or oven, adding a splash of chicken broth or reserved marinade to keep the meat juicy and flavorful.
• Freezing works great for longer storage – place cooled chicken in freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags, removing as much air as possible.
• Frozen Huli Huli chicken stays delicious for up to 2-3 months.
• When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat thoroughly until the internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.

Side Ideas For Huli Huli Chicken Recipe

• Pair with Tropical Cocktail Bliss: Mix a refreshing Hawaiian Mai Tai or pineapple mojito that complements the sweet and tangy marinade, echoing the tropical flavors of the Huli Huli chicken.
• Bring on Zesty Side Companions: Serve with coconut rice or grilled pineapple slices to enhance the dish's Hawaiian-inspired profile, adding complementary tropical textures and taste.
• Create Crisp Veggie Balance: Add a crunchy Asian-style coleslaw with sesame dressing or a light cucumber salad to cut through the chicken's rich marinade and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Uncork Perfect Wine Match: Select a slightly sweet Riesling or Gewürztraminer that matches the recipe's sweet-savory notes, balancing the chicken's complex flavor profile with a crisp, fruity undertone.

Tweak Your Huli Huli Chicken Recipe

• Island Fusion Chicken: Swap pineapple juice with mango nectar and add coconut milk for a tropical Caribbean-style marinade that enhances the chicken's richness.
• Spicy Hawaiian Kick: Incorporate sriracha or red pepper flakes into the marinade for a fiery version that brings exciting heat to the classic Huli Huli recipe.
• Smoky Backyard BBQ Chicken: Replace some soy sauce with bourbon and add smoked paprika to create a deep, complex flavor profile perfect for outdoor grilling.
• Asian-Inspired Herb Blend: Mix in fresh chopped cilantro, mint, and lemongrass during marinating to introduce bright, aromatic notes that complement the sweet and savory base.

Huli Huli Chicken Recipe Q&A

• What makes Huli Huli Chicken unique?

The combination of Hawaiian and Asian flavors creates a sweet and tangy marinade that sets this dish apart from typical grilled chicken. Pineapple juice and soy sauce work together to tenderize and infuse the meat with incredible flavor.

• Is this recipe truly Hawaiian?

Yes! Huli Huli Chicken originated in Hawaii in the 1950s, created by Ernest Morgado. The term “huli” means “turn” in Hawaiian, referring to the technique of turning the chicken while grilling to ensure even cooking and caramelization.

• Can I make this recipe without a grill?

Absolutely! You can use an oven or stovetop grill pan. In the oven, bake at 425F for about 25-30 minutes, turning once and basting with marinade. For a grill pan, cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally.

• Why is marinating important for this recipe?

Marinating helps tenderize the chicken and allows the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat. The acids in pineapple juice and vinegar break down proteins, making the chicken more tender and flavorful.

Huli Huli Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 10 1x

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Description

Hawaiian paradise meets culinary magic in this Huli Huli Chicken recipe, where sweet and tangy flavors dance across succulent grilled meat. Juicy chicken pieces marinated in a classic island-inspired sauce promise a delightful journey for your taste buds that transports you straight to tropical bliss.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 23 pounds (10.4 kilograms) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) pineapple juice
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) soy sauce
• ½ cup (100 grams) brown sugar
• ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) ketchup
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) sesame oil (optional)

Thickening and Garnish:

• 1 tablespoon (8 grams) cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) water
• Green onions (for garnish, optional)
• Sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)

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Instructions

1. Craft a vibrant marinade by vigorously whisking pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil in a spacious mixing bowl until ingredients harmonize smoothly.
2. Submerge chicken pieces completely in the prepared marinade within a sealable container or robust plastic bag, ensuring every surface is thoroughly coated. Refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, allowing flavors to deeply penetrate the meat.
3. Prepare outdoor grill or indoor grill pan to medium-high heat, creating ideal cooking conditions with moderate flame intensity. Remove chicken from marinade, carefully patting excess liquid off with paper towels.
4. Position marinated chicken onto preheated grill grates, maintaining consistent spacing between pieces. Cook approximately 6-8 minutes per side, rotating carefully to achieve beautiful caramelized exterior and ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F.
5. While grilling, periodically brush reserved marinade onto chicken surfaces to enhance flavor complexity and promote gorgeous golden-brown coloration.
6. Optional sauce enhancement: Transfer remaining marinade to a small saucepan, bringing liquid to robust boil. Reduce heat, allowing mixture to simmer and concentrate flavors. Incorporate cornstarch slurry to thicken sauce into glossy, rich consistency perfect for drizzling.
7. After grilling, let chicken rest momentarily, allowing juices to redistribute throughout meat. Slice and serve with thickened sauce alongside complementary side dishes.

Notes

• Maximize flavor by marinating chicken overnight, allowing the sweet and tangy mixture to deeply penetrate the meat for a more intense taste experience.
• Prevent cross-contamination by using separate brushes when basting – one for raw chicken and another for the final glaze to ensure food safety.
• Create a versatile sauce by reducing the marinade and thickening it, which transforms the liquid into a glossy, rich glaze perfect for drizzling over the finished chicken.
• Adapt the recipe for different diets by substituting soy sauce with tamari for a gluten-free version, or using coconut aminos for a soy-free alternative that maintains the umami depth.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Hawaiian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 10
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg