Description
Huli Huli Chicken is a classic Hawaiian grilled chicken dish marinated in a tangy and sweet sauce made from soy sauce, brown sugar, pineapple juice, and spices. This recipe features juicy boneless chicken thighs or breasts that are marinated for deep flavor, then grilled to perfection and basted with a glossy glaze. Perfect for summer barbecues or a flavorful weeknight dinner, served with steamed rice or fresh salad.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Marinade
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, pineapple juice, grated fresh ginger, minced garlic, sesame oil, and crushed red pepper flakes until smooth and well combined.
- Marinate the chicken: Reserve 1/2 cup of the marinade for basting later and set aside. Place the chicken thighs or breasts in a large zip-top bag or shallow bowl, pour the remaining marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well coated. Seal the bag or cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or preferably overnight for maximum flavor infusion.
- Preheat the grill: About 30 minutes before cooking, preheat your grill or grill pan to medium heat to ensure it is adequately hot and ready for grilling the chicken.
- Grill the chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off. Place the chicken pieces on the grill and cook for 5 to 7 minutes per side, turning once, until the chicken is cooked through and has nice char marks.
- Baste with reserved marinade: During the last few minutes of grilling, brush the reserved marinade on each side of the chicken to create a beautiful, glossy glaze. Flip once more to ensure even coverage.
- Rest and serve: Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Slice if desired, garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds, then serve hot with your favorite sides such as steamed rice or grilled pineapple.
Notes
- For the best flavor, marinate the chicken overnight.
- Serve with steamed rice, grilled pineapple, or a fresh cucumber salad for a complete Hawaiian-inspired meal.
- Chicken thighs are recommended for juiciness, but breasts can also be used if cooked carefully to avoid dryness.
