Description
Succulent Hawaiian huli huli chicken delivers sweet and tangy flavors from Pacific Island grilling traditions. Local cooks and backyard chefs embrace this classic marinade that melds pineapple, soy sauce, and ginger for an unforgettable meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4–5 lbs bone-in skinless chicken thighs
- ½ cup (100 g) packed light brown sugar
- 1 cup canned pineapple juice
- ⅓ cup (79 ml) ketchup
- ⅓ cup (79 ml) reduced sodium soy sauce
- ⅓ cup (79 ml) olive oil
- 2 tbsps Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsps apple cider vinegar
- 1.5 tsps paprika
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Sriracha sauce
- 0.5 tsp ground cumin
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
- 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Sauce Preparation: Whisk together the spice mixture and Huli Huli sauce ingredients in a medium bowl, ensuring a smooth, integrated blend of flavors.
- Marination Process: Transfer a portion of the sauce into a large freezer bag with olive oil, add chicken pieces, seal completely after removing excess air, and refrigerate for 4-8 hours to allow deep flavor infusion.
- Seasoning Setup: Remove chicken from marinade, pat dry, and apply a robust rub created by mixing reserved spices with olive oil, massaging evenly across both sides of the meat. Allow to rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to enhance flavor absorption.
- Sauce Reduction: Simultaneously, simmer the remaining Huli Huli sauce in a saucepan, reducing for approximately 10 minutes until it reaches a slightly thickened consistency.
- Grilling Technique: Preheat grill to medium heat (350-375 degrees Fahrenheit), lightly grease grates, and cook chicken for 6-8 minutes per side. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius), basting generously with reserved sauce during the final 5 minutes.
- Final Presentation: Remove chicken from grill, lavish with reduced Huli Huli glaze, garnish with chopped green onions, and serve immediately with additional sauce on the side.
Notes
- Marinating Magic: Refrigerate chicken for 4-8 hours to allow deep flavor penetration, transforming ordinary meat into a Hawaiian taste sensation.
- Temperature Triumph: Use a meat thermometer to verify chicken reaches 165°F, guaranteeing safe and juicy results every single time.
- Sauce Savvy: Reserve a portion of marinade before adding raw chicken to create a delicious basting and finishing glaze without cross-contamination risks.
- Resting Ritual: Let seasoned chicken sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before grilling, ensuring even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
- Prep Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg