Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Huli Huli Chicken is beloved for its perfect balance of sweet, savory, and slightly smoky flavors. The marinade tenderizes the chicken while infusing it with a tropical, island-inspired taste. The word “Huli” means “turn” in Hawaiian, referring to the traditional way of cooking the chicken by turning it over an open flame to achieve that beautifully charred, caramelized glaze. Whether you’re a fan of grilled chicken or love experimenting with new flavors, this dish will bring the vibrant taste of Hawaii straight to your table. It’s simple to prepare, requires minimal ingredients, and delivers big on flavor.

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs, if preferred)

  • 1/2 cup soy sauce

  • 1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)

  • 1/4 cup pineapple juice (preferably fresh)

  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar

  • 2 tablespoons ketchup

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil (optional, for extra flavor)

  • Green onions, chopped (for garnish)

  • Sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

  1. Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl, combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, pineapple juice, rice vinegar, ketchup, vegetable oil, garlic, ginger, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and sesame oil (if using). Whisk until the sugar is dissolved and the marinade is well mixed.

  2. Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken breasts (or thighs) into a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, making sure it’s well-coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight for maximum flavor.

  3. Preheat the grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, about 375°F to 400°F (190°C to 200°C). Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.

  4. Grill the chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, reserving the marinade for later use. Place the chicken on the grill and cook for about 5-6 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). During the last few minutes of grilling, brush the reserved marinade over the chicken to glaze it and add extra flavor.

  5. Serve: Once the chicken is fully cooked and beautifully caramelized, remove it from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.

  6. Enjoy: Serve your Grilled Huli Huli Chicken with a side of rice, grilled vegetables, or a fresh salad for a complete tropical meal!

Servings and Timing

  • Servings: 4

  • Preparation time: 10 minutes (plus marinating time)

  • Marinating time: 2 hours to overnight

  • Grilling time: 12-15 minutes

  • Total time: 2 hours 30 minutes to overnight (including marinating)

Variations

  • Use chicken thighs: For a juicier, more flavorful option, swap chicken breasts for chicken thighs, which are more forgiving and tender when grilled.

  • Add pineapple: For extra tropical flavor, grill slices of pineapple alongside the chicken, then serve them on top of the chicken or alongside.

  • Spicy Huli Huli Chicken: Add more red pepper flakes or a few dashes of hot sauce to the marinade for a spicier version of this dish.

  • Vegetarian option: For a vegetarian version, use tofu or tempeh. Marinate and grill just like chicken for a plant-based option.

  • Grilled veggies: You can also grill bell peppers, onions, or zucchini and serve them alongside the chicken to complement the tropical flavors.

Storage/Reheating

  • Storage: Store leftover Huli Huli Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

  • Reheating: Reheat the chicken in the microwave or on the grill, just until heated through. To keep it moist, you can brush it with a little extra marinade or a bit of olive oil while reheating.

FAQs

1. Can I make Huli Huli Chicken ahead of time?

Yes, you can marinate the chicken ahead of time. In fact, marinating overnight will result in even more flavorful chicken. You can also grill the chicken in advance and store it in the fridge for later use.

2. Can I use boneless skinless chicken thighs for this recipe?

Yes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a great choice for Huli Huli Chicken. They tend to stay juicier and more flavorful during grilling.

3. Can I bake the chicken instead of grilling it?

While grilling is preferred for the smoky flavor, you can also bake the chicken in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). You can broil the chicken during the last few minutes to caramelize the glaze.

4. Can I use bottled pineapple juice?

Yes, bottled pineapple juice works just fine in this recipe. Fresh juice is preferred for a more vibrant flavor, but bottled juice will still give you that tropical taste.

5. How do I get the glaze to stick to the chicken?

To get the best glaze, make sure to brush the chicken with the reserved marinade during the last few minutes of grilling. This will help the sauce caramelize on the chicken and create a beautiful sticky glaze.

6. Is Huli Huli Chicken spicy?

This recipe is mildly spicy, mainly from the red pepper flakes. If you prefer less spice, you can omit the red pepper flakes or reduce the amount to suit your taste.

Conclusion

Grilled Huli Huli Chicken is the perfect tropical dish to bring some island flavors to your grilling routine. The sweet and savory marinade creates a perfectly caramelized glaze on the chicken, and the smoky char from the grill makes it irresistibly flavorful. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or just want a delicious dinner to brighten up your week, this dish is sure to become a favorite. Serve it with a side of rice, grilled vegetables, or a tropical salad, and enjoy the vibrant taste of Hawaii!

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Grilled Huli Huli Chicken recepe

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  • Author: Lisa
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: undefined
  • Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes to overnight (including marinating)
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: Hawaiian
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Description

Grilled Huli Huli Chicken is a sweet and savory Hawaiian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken marinated in a flavorful mix of pineapple, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and brown sugar. The chicken is grilled to perfection and glazed with the caramelized marinade, creating a tropical, island-inspired meal that’s perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs, if preferred)
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
  • 1/4 cup pineapple juice (preferably fresh)
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil (optional, for extra flavor)
  • Green onions, chopped (for garnish)
  • Sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, pineapple juice, rice vinegar, ketchup, vegetable oil, garlic, ginger, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and sesame oil (if using). Mix until the sugar dissolves and the marinade is well combined.
  2. Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken in a resealable bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over the chicken. Seal and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for the best flavor.
  3. Preheat the grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (375°F to 400°F or 190°C to 200°C). Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
  4. Grill the chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade (reserve the marinade) and grill for 5-6 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). In the last few minutes, brush the chicken with the reserved marinade to glaze it and enhance the flavor.
  5. Serve: Once fully cooked and caramelized, remove the chicken from the grill. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.
  6. Enjoy: Serve with rice, grilled vegetables, or a tropical salad for a complete meal!

Notes

Storage: Store leftover Huli Huli Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.Reheating: Reheat on the grill or in the microwave. For added moisture, brush with a little extra marinade or olive oil while reheating.Variations: Use chicken thighs for juicier results, or add pineapple slices to the grill for extra tropical flavor.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 13g
  • Sodium: 600mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 18g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 28g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg

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