Description
Huli Huli Chicken is a classic Hawaiian grilled chicken dish, famous for its irresistibly sweet, tangy, and smoky marinade. Juicy bone-in chicken thighs are marinated in a pineapple-soy sauce blend, then grilled to caramelized perfection and basted frequently for enhanced flavor. Perfect for your next barbecue or summer gathering!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Marinade
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Chicken
- 3 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (can substitute drumsticks or breasts)
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish, optional)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)
For Grilling
- Oil, for greasing grill grates
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is well combined.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place chicken thighs in a large zip-top bag or shallow dish. Pour 2/3 of the marinade over the chicken, reserving the remaining marinade for basting. Seal or cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight for maximum flavor.
- Prepare the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium heat (about 350°F/175°C). Clean and oil the grates to prevent sticking.
- Grill the Chicken: Remove chicken from the marinade and discard used marinade. Place chicken, skin-side down, on the grill. Grill for about 6-7 minutes per side, turning occasionally and basting with the reserved marinade every few minutes. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the skin is caramelized and golden brown.
- Serve: Transfer the grilled chicken to a serving platter. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Reserve some marinade solely for basting to avoid cross-contamination.
- Marinating overnight yields the juiciest, most flavorful chicken.
- For extra char, finish the chicken directly over the flame for the last minute of grilling.
- You can bake the chicken in the oven at 400°F (200°C) if you don’t have a grill.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece (approx. 200g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
