Ingredients You’ll Need
- 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)
How to Make Huli Huli Chicken
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Marinade In a large bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, and black pepper until the brown sugar completely dissolves. This creates the signature Huli Huli sauce that gives the chicken its incredible flavor.
Step 2: Marinate the Chicken Place the chicken pieces in a large resealable bag or shallow dish and pour three-quarters of the marinade over the chicken, reserving the remaining quarter for basting. Seal the bag and massage gently to ensure all pieces are well-coated. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, but preferably 4-6 hours or overnight for maximum flavor penetration.
Step 3: Prepare the Grill Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 375-400°F). Clean and oil the grates to prevent sticking. If using a gas grill, set up for indirect cooking by turning off one burner after preheating.
Step 4: Grill the Chicken Remove chicken from marinade and discard used marinade. Place chicken on the grill and cook for 6-8 minutes per side for breasts or 8-10 minutes per side for thighs. Baste with reserved marinade during the last few minutes of cooking. The internal temperature should reach 165°F for food safety.
Step 5: Rest and Serve Remove chicken from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with chopped green onions and serve over steamed white rice with grilled pineapple slices if desired.
Helpful Tips
For the best Ultimate Huli Huli Chicken results, don’t skip the marinating time – the longer you marinate, the more flavorful your chicken will be. If you’re short on time, even 30 minutes will make a difference, but overnight marinating produces the most tender and flavorful results. When grilling, maintain medium heat to prevent the sugars in the marinade from burning while ensuring the chicken cooks through completely. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness rather than relying on cooking time alone, as thickness can vary. For extra caramelization, brush the chicken with reserved marinade during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, but never use marinade that has touched raw chicken.
Details
Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus marinating time) Cook Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 35 minutes (plus marinating)Servings: 4-6 Cuisine: Hawaiian Method: Grilling Difficulty: Easy
