Huli Huli Chicken

Huli Huli chicken on platter with green onions and grilled pineapple.

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3.17 from 187 votes

This Hawaiian chicken recipe is full of flavor and taste!

Prep Time10

Cook Time8 10

Servings: pieces

Calories: 464kcal

Ingredients

½ cup brown sugar packed
½ cup ketchup
½ cup soy sauce
½ cup pineapple juice
1 tsp ginger paste
1 tsp garlic minced
2 tsp rice vinegar
2 tsp sesame oil
12 chicken thighs boneless and skinless
optional garnishes: green onions, pineapple rings

Instructions

Whisk together the pineapple juice, ketchup, soy sauce, and brown sugar in a bowl. Once that is mixed, add in the minced garlic, ginger paste sesame oil, and rice vinegar. Set aside one cup of this marinade and then cover and keep it in the fridge. You'll use this for basting the chicken later while it's cooking.
Add the chicken thighs to a sturdy freezer bag, then pour the rest of the marinade into a freezer bag. Mix around the chicken thighs so that the marinade covers the chicken entirely. Put the bag in the fridge to marinate overnight. If you can't do it overnight, be sure to let it marinate for at least 8 hours.
Before adding the chicken to the grill, lightly oil it so that it doesn't stick. Take the chicken pieces out of the marinade (and throw that marinade away!) and put the chicken on the grill. Let it cook for about 3 minutes and then flip. Brush on some of the new marinade that you saved from earlier, and then flip it and cook for 3 minutes. Brush on more marinade and repeat the process until the chicken is cooked all the way. This will take about 10 minutes or so. Make sure to use your meat thermometer to check that it's at 165 degrees internally.

Notes

*You can add some fresh or canned pineapple to the grill to serve along side the chicken if you'd like!

Storage: Store them in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you can't eat it that quickly, put it into the freezer for up to 3 months of time.

FAQ suggestions:

Can I use the marinade that was on the chicken for basting it? No. It is important to throw out the marinade that was on the chicken. Do not use this to baste the chicken as this will not cook it enough to make it safe to eat.
How can I be sure the chicken is fully cooked? Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken and make sure the internal temperature is 165 degrees.
I don’t have a grill - could I still make this chicken? Yes, you could sear the chicken in a skillet (with 1 Tablespoon of oil). Brush it with the set-aside marinade, then bake it in a 375 degree oven for about 20 minutes.
What could I serve this with? I like to serve Huli Huli chicken with white or brown rice, cauliflower rice, quinoa, stir fry veggies, asian salad or grilled pineapple.
Can I use other pieces of chicken? Yes, but you will need to adjust the cooking time to achieve doneness. If you choose to use bone-in chicken thighs (165 degrees) or drumsticks (170 degrees), you will have to increase the cooking time slightly. If you use chicken breasts (165 degrees), you will need to decrease the cooking time or the meat may be dry.

Nutrition