Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken recipe (Sweet Hawaiian Traditional Chicken recipe)
This dish features tender chicken marinated in a sweet and tangy sauce, then grilled to perfection, resulting in juicy and flavorful meat that melts in your mouth with every bite.
Preparation and Cooking Time
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Marinating Time: 2-4 hours
- Cooking Time: 20-25 minutes
Number of Servings
Servings: 4-6
List of Ingredients
- 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Sliced green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
Directions for cooking Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken
- Combine pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, salt, and black pepper to create the marinade.
- Place chicken thighs in a shallow dish, and pour marinade over the chicken, ensuring it’s evenly coated. Cover the dish and refrigerate for 2-4 hours to marinate.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 375-400°F / 190-200°C).
- Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off, and reserve marinade for basting.
- Place chicken on grill, skin side down, and cook for 6-8 minutes per side, basting occasionally with reserved marinade, until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear.
- Once the chicken is done, transfer to a serving platter and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
- Serve Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken hot off the grill, accompanied by rice and grilled pineapple for an authentic island experience.
READ: Wonderful and Delicious BBQ Recipes from around the World
Tips
- For best results, use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, as they stay moist and flavorful during grilling.
- Reserve some marinade for basting while grilling to enhance flavor and moisture.
- For an extra touch of sweetness and flavor, grill slices of pineapple alongside the chicken and serve as a side dish.
- Don’t discard leftover marinade—boil it for a few minutes to kill any bacteria, then use it as a dipping sauce or drizzle it over cooked chicken for extra flavor.
FAQs
- Can this recipe be made ahead of time? Yes, you can marinate the chicken overnight for even more flavor.
- Can I use chicken breasts instead? Yes, but adjust cooking time accordingly as breasts cook faster than thighs.
Historical and Cultural Significance
The Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken recipe originated in Hawaii in the 1950s. “Huli” means “turn” in Hawaiian, referring to the method of grilling the chicken by continuously flipping it (“huli-ing” it) to ensure even cooking and caramelization of the marinade.
Download the printable Recipe below
Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken
This dish features tender chicken marinated in a sweet and tangy sauce, then grilled to perfection, resulting in juicy and flavorful meat that melts in your mouth with every bite.
Ingredients
•8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
•1 cup pineapple juice
•1/2 cup soy sauce
•1/4 cup brown sugar
•1/4 cup ketchup
•2 tablespoons rice vinegar
•2 cloves garlic, minced
•1 teaspoon grated ginger
•1 teaspoon sesame oil
•Salt and black pepper to taste
•Sliced green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
Directions
- Combine pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, salt, and black pepper to create the marinade.
- Place chicken thighs in a shallow dish, and pour marinade over the chicken, ensuring it's evenly coated. Cover the dish and refrigerate for 2-4 hours to marinate.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 375-400°F / 190-200°C).
- Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off, and reserve marinade for basting.
- Place chicken on grill, skin side down, and cook for 6-8 minutes per side, basting occasionally with reserved marinade, until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear.
- Once the chicken is done, transfer to a serving platter and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
- Serve Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken hot off the grill, accompanied by rice and grilled pineapple for an authentic island experience.
Notes
- Tips
-For best results, use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, as they stay moist and flavorful during grilling.
-Reserve some marinade for basting while grilling to enhance flavor and moisture.
-For an extra touch of sweetness and flavor, grill slices of pineapple alongside the chicken and serve as a side dish.
-Don't discard leftover marinade—boil it for a few minutes to kill any bacteria, then use it as a dipping sauce or drizzle it over cooked chicken for extra flavor.
