Description
Huli Huli Chicken is a classic Hawaiian grilled chicken dish featuring tender chicken thighs marinated in a flavorful blend of pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic. The chicken is grilled to perfection with a beautiful char and basted with a sweet and tangy reserved marinade, making it irresistibly juicy and flavorful. Garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, this dish pairs wonderfully with steamed rice, grilled pineapple, or a fresh slaw, bringing a taste of the islands to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or bone-in for more flavor)
Marinade
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish (optional)
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, rice vinegar, grated ginger, minced garlic, sesame oil, and black pepper until well combined.
- Marinate Chicken: Reserve 1/2 cup of the marinade for basting later. Pour the remaining marinade over the chicken thighs placed in a large zip-top bag or shallow dish. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, allowing the chicken to absorb the flavors.
- Preheat Grill: Heat a grill or grill pan over medium heat to prepare for cooking the chicken.
- Grill Chicken: Remove chicken from the marinade, discarding the used marinade. Place chicken on the grill and cook for 6 to 8 minutes per side. During grilling, baste occasionally with the reserved marinade to keep the chicken moist and flavorful.
- Rest and Garnish: Once cooked through with nice char marks, remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired before serving.
Notes
- Huli Huli Chicken pairs perfectly with steamed rice, grilled pineapple, or a simple slaw for a full Hawaiian feast.
- You can bake the chicken at 400°F (204°C) for 25–30 minutes, basting halfway through, as an alternative to grilling.
- Chicken breasts can be used, but take care not to overcook as they dry out faster than thighs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus at least 2 hours marinating)
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
