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Authentic Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken

Authentic Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken: Sweet, Smoky, and Grilled to Perfection

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Huli Huli Chicken is a vibrant Hawaiian dish featuring tender, juicy chicken grilled to perfection with a smoky char. Its irresistible glaze, a sweet and tangy blend of soy sauce, ginger, and pineapple, creates a mouthwatering fusion of flavors that’s hard to resist!

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds chicken thighs or breasts, boneless and skinless
  • 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
  • 1 green onion, chopped (for garnish)
  • Cooked white rice (for serving)
  • Grilled pineapple slices (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, honey, rice vinegar, pineapple juice, and sesame oil.
  2. Whisk the ingredients together until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
  3. Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and ground black pepper to the bowl and whisk again until everything is well incorporated.
  4. Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish or resealable plastic bag.
  5. Pour the marinade mixture over the chicken breasts, making sure they are evenly coated. Seal and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 4 hours.
  6. Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
  7. Remove the chicken from the marinade, reserving the marinade for later use. Grill chicken 6–7 minutes per side, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
  8. Simmer reserved marinade in a saucepan for 5 minutes to reduce.
  9. Brush cooked chicken with the thickened marinade before serving.
  10. Garnish with green onion or sesame seeds. Serve hot with rice and grilled pineapple if desired.

Notes

  • Whisk the marinade thoroughly to dissolve the sugar completely.
  • Marinate chicken for 2–4 hours for deeper flavor, but 30 minutes minimum.
  • Reserve marinade for cooking, not for basting raw meat.
  • Use olive oil when grilling chicken breasts to prevent dryness.
  • Add chopped pineapple or mango on top for a tropical twist.
  • Author: lily
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: Hawaiian