Description
Huli Huli Chicken is a flavorful Hawaiian dish featuring marinated chicken grilled to perfection. The sweet and tangy marinade, made with soy sauce, pineapple juice, and brown sugar, infuses the chicken with incredible taste, making it ideal for summer barbecues and family gatherings. Enjoy this delicious dish with grilled pineapple and a garnish of green onions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 pounds of chicken (legs, thighs, or a whole chicken cut into pieces)
- 1 cup soy sauce
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- Fresh pineapple slices (for grilling, optional)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, ketchup, rice vinegar, minced ginger, minced garlic, sesame oil, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Whisk until the brown sugar is fully dissolved.
- Place the chicken pieces in a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight.
- About 30 minutes before grilling, remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing excess marinade to drip off. Discard the leftover marinade. Place the chicken on the grill, skin side down, and grill for 5-7 minutes until crispy. Flip the chicken, reduce heat to medium, and grill for another 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally, until cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/75°C). Grill fresh pineapple slices during the last 5 minutes.
- Reserve a small amount of marinade before adding the chicken. Use this to baste the chicken during the last few minutes of grilling, ensuring it doesn’t touch raw chicken.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes. Prepare your serving platter with grilled pineapple slices. Slice the chicken if desired, and garnish with chopped green onions.
Notes
- A mix of thighs and drumsticks is recommended for juiciness.
- Aim for at least 6 hours or overnight for maximum flavor.
- Maintain medium-high heat for the best char without burning.
- Pairs well with steamed rice, grilled vegetables, or coleslaw.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes