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Huli Huli Chicken is a popular Hawaiian dish known for its sweet and savory tropical flavor, easy to make and perfect for grilling, a local favorite. Serve it with Hawaiian Macaroni Salad!
Huli Huli Chicken Ingredients
- Ketchup: 1/2 cup
- Soy Sauce (Shoyu): 1/2 cup
- Brown Sugar: 1/3 cup
- Canned Pineapple Juice: 1/3 cup (do not use fresh)
- Rice Vinegar: 2 tablespoons (or apple cider vinegar)
- Sesame Oil: 1 tablespoon
- Hot Sauce or Sriracha: 1 tablespoon (optional)
- Fresh Garlic: 4 cloves, minced
- Fresh Ginger: 1 tablespoon, grated
- Chicken Thighs: 2 pounds, boneless and skinless
- For Garnish: Fresh chopped green onion or parsley, chili flakes or Gochugaru
How to Make Huli Huli Chicken
- Mix Marinade:
- Whisk together ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, pineapple juice, vinegar, sesame oil, hot sauce, ginger and garlic. Reserve 1/2 cup of the marinade for basting.
- Marinate Chicken:
- Marinate the chicken either in the bowl or in a large sealable bag in the refrigerator at least 1 hour.
- Optional Longer Marination:
- You can marinate longer if you'd like for more flavor penetration. I like to get this going on the morning for easy grilling later.
- Prepare Grill:
- When you're ready to cook, heat up your grill. Discard the used marinade (or you can make a sauce from it - see the recipe notes), then grill the chicken until done.
- Baste While Grilling:
- Baste the chicken during grilling with the reserved marinade.
- Check Temperature:
- Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (74C).
- Serve:
- Boom! Done! Your grilled huli huli chicken is ready to serve. Easy enough to make, isn't it? This is a dish you'll be making all summer long. Sauce it up!
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Serve with your favorite bbq sides like macaroni salad, sticky rice or pineapple fried rice, grilled pineapple.
Storage & Leftovers
Leftoever huli huli chicken will last up to 5 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. You can easily reheat it gently in the microwave or in a pan on the stove top.
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Final Thoughts
That's it, my friends. I hope you enjoy this huli huli chicken recipe. Let me know if you make it. I'd love to hear how it turned out for you, and if you decided to spice it up!
Common Recipe Questions
- → What does 'Huli Huli' mean?
'Huli Huli' means 'turn turn' in Hawaiian, referring to turning the chicken repeatedly while grilling.
- → Can I use fresh pineapple juice?
No, fresh pineapple juice contains enzymes that can overly tenderize the chicken and cause a mushy texture.
- → Which chicken cut is best?
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are ideal, but any cut of chicken works with this marinade.
- → Can I bake instead of grill?
Yes, the chicken can be baked or cooked in the oven. Just be sure to turn it regularly and baste with marinade.
- → How long should I marinate the chicken?
At least one hour is recommended, but marinating longer (up to overnight) enhances flavor absorption.
- → What sides pair well with Huli Huli Chicken?
Macaroni salad, sticky rice, grilled pineapple, or fresh greens make great accompaniments.
- → Can I make the marinade into a sauce?
Yes, cook the used marinade by boiling and simmering it to reduce and thicken before serving.