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Huli Huli Chicken

The ultimate Hawaiian BBQ chicken! Juicy chicken thighs are marinated in a sweet and savory pineapple-soy glaze, then grilled to caramelized perfection. An iconic dish that's easy to make and impossible to resist.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Hawaiian, American
Servings 6
Calories 420 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Group: Marinade & Chicken
  • ½ cup soy sauce
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup canned pineapple juice CRUCIAL: NOT fresh
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger grated
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika optional
  • 4 lbs chicken thighs boneless, skin-on or off
  • Group: For Serving
  • 1 fresh pineapple cored and cut into rings
  • 2 sliced green onions
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds
  • 3 cups cooked white rice

Instructions
 

  • Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together all marinade ingredients (soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, pineapple juice, Worcestershire, vinegar, garlic, ginger, paprika) until the sugar dissolves.
  • Step 2: Pro Tip: Reserve about ¾ cup of the marinade in a separate jar/container and refrigerate. This will be your clean "basting sauce" later.
  • Step 3: Place the chicken thighs in a large dish or ziplock bag. Pour the remaining marinade over the chicken, ensuring it's fully coated. Seal and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight.
  • Step 4: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (approx. 375-400°F / 190-200°C). Clean and oil the grates.
  • Step 5: Remove chicken from the marinade (let excess drip off) and discard the used marinade. Place chicken on the hot grill.
  • Step 6: Grill for 6-7 minutes per side, until well-marked. In the last 5 minutes, begin basting generously with the reserved clean marinade. Turn and baste frequently to build a glaze.
  • Step 7: Chicken is done when an internal thermometer reads 165°F (74°C) for breasts or 175°F (79°C) for thighs.
  • Step 8: Remove chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5-10 minutes.
  • Step 9: While chicken rests, grill the pineapple rings for 1-2 minutes per side until caramelized.
  • Step 10: Serve the grilled chicken over rice with a grilled pineapple ring. Garnish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

Video

Notes

Notes (The "Pro Tips" Section)
  • 🚫 Pineapple Juice Warning: Do NOT use fresh pineapple juice. It contains an enzyme (bromelain) that will make the chicken mushy. Canned or bottled juice is pasteurized, which deactivates the enzyme.
  • 🍗 Chicken Cut: Chicken thighs are highly recommended for their juiciness and flavor. They are more forgiving than breasts.
  • 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For a Crowd: This recipe scales perfectly for a large barbecue.
  • 🍯 Extra Sauce: Feel free to double the marinade ingredients. Simmer the reserved basting sauce for 5 minutes to make extra sauce for serving.
  • 🏠 No Grill? Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30-35 minutes, basting halfway through. For color, broil for the last 2-3 minutes.
 Nutrition Information (Often Auto-Calculated by the Plugin)
  • Calories: 420
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Protein: 42g
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 190mg
  • Sodium: 1250mg
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Sugar: 30g
Keyword yummy Huli Huli chicken Hawaiian recipe