Huli Huli Chicken
Huli Huli Chicken is a classic Hawaiian grilled chicken recipe featuring a sweet and tangy marinade made from pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, and aromatic ginger and garlic. Perfectly grilled to juicy tenderness and served over steamed rice, this flavorful dish brings the taste of the islands to your table.
- Author: Lisa
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
- Diet: Halal
Chicken
- 2 pounds chicken thighs or breasts, boneless and skinless
Marinade
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish & Serving
- 1 green onion, chopped (for garnish)
- Cooked white rice (for serving)
- Grilled pineapple slices (optional)
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and black pepper until fully combined.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place chicken in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish and pour half the marinade over it. Reserve the other half for basting later. Seal and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight to allow flavors to penetrate.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high heat to ensure a perfect sear and prevent sticking.
- Grill the Chicken: Remove chicken from marinade and discard the used marinade to avoid cross-contamination. Grill chicken for 6–7 minutes on each side, basting with the reserved marinade during cooking to keep it moist and flavorful. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) for safe consumption.
- Rest and Serve: Let the chicken rest for 3–5 minutes after grilling to allow juices to redistribute. Slice the chicken and serve over cooked white rice. Garnish with chopped green onions and grilled pineapple slices if desired for an authentic Hawaiian touch.
Notes
- Marinating overnight enhances the flavor and tenderness of the chicken.
- If you don’t have a grill, you can cook the chicken under a broiler or on a grill pan.
- Discard the marinade used on raw chicken to prevent foodborne illness; only use reserved marinade for basting before cooking.
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for juicier meat, but breasts are a leaner option.
- Serve with steamed jasmine or basmati rice for a complete meal.
- For gluten-free option, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 6 oz chicken with sauce and rice)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Huli Huli Chicken, Hawaiian grilled chicken, pineapple chicken marinade, grilled chicken recipe, sweet and tangy chicken