Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken (2024)

Why This Recipe Works

Sweet & Tangy: My Hawaiian-inspired chicken marinade is the perfect combination of sweet, tangy and spicy. With a bit of pineapple juice, soy sauce, and sriracha, you will get flavor packed chicken with every bite!

Island-Inspired: Ever wish you could just pick up and go to Hawaii in the middle of winter? Me too. That is why I created this huli huli chicken recipe. The flavors in this grilled Hawaiian chicken are reminiscent of island life. So sit back and let the flavors take you away!

Easy to Make: Once you make the marinade, let it do its job for a few hours! Then, you can either cook up this chicken on the grill or on the stovetop. This easy huli huli chicken will guarantee a delicious meal in less than an hour!

Ingredients

This Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken takes a few pantry staples to come together into the best, most addictive chicken recipe! Here’s what you’ll need:

• For the Marinade: Toss together pineapple juice, brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, minced garlic, minced ginger, rice vinegar, sriracha, toasted sesame oil, and red pepper flakes for the tangy, umami packed marinade.
• Chicken Thighs: I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs in this recipe. The thighs are great because they are not easily over cooked on the grill. You can use chicken breast if you prefer, but be careful not to overcook them!
• Pineapple: One small, fresh pineapple is used to grill up some fresh pineapple slices and add them to the meal.
• For Serving: I like to eat my huli huli chicken with white rice and some sliced green onions on top!

Here’s How You Make It

Step by Step Instructions

1. Make the Marinade: In a large, non reactive bowl, whisk together the pineapple juice, brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, garlic, rice vinegar, sriracha, sesame oil and red pepper flakes. Add the chicken thighs and leave to marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours, but preferably overnight.
2. To grill the chicken: Prepare the grill for cooking over an indirect heat. Grill the pineapple rings until they have taken on a nice bit of caramelization. This should take a few minutes on each side. Set aside around the outside of the grilling area to keep warm. Add the chicken, working in batches and basting with the remaining marinade often until the chicken is cooked through and is coated in a sticky glaze. Each piece should take about 15 minutes.
3. To cook the chicken on an indoor griddle: Heat a large lined skillet or griddle pan (or a regular pan if you don’t have either of those), over medium high heat. Cook the pineapple rings until they have taken on a nice bit of caramelization. This should take a few minutes on each side. Transfer to a warm place to keep warm. Add the chicken, working in batches and basting with the remaining marinade often until the chicken is cooked through and is coated in a sticky glaze. Each piece should take about 15 minutes.
4. Serve & Enjoy: Serve the huli huli chicken and pineapple over white rice and top with sliced green onions. Enjoy!

Expert Tips

• When grilling chicken, you can check if it is done with a meat thermometer. The chicken thighs will be 165 degrees when they are done!
• Prep the chicken ahead by starting the marinade in the morning so that it is ready to be cooked and super flavorful by dinner time!
• Stay away from fresh pineapple juice for the marinade! Fresh pineapple juice has an enzyme that will make the chicken too tender and almost mushy. Stick with canned or cartoned pineapple juice for the marinade portion of this recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions