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–+ servings
A platter of huli huli chicken with grilled pineapple slices on the side
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5 from 17 votes

Grilled Huli Huli Chicken Recipe

Huli Huli Chicken is a popular Hawaiian dish consisting of chicken thighs marinated in a sweet and savory sauce and grilled to perfection.
Prep Time5 minutes
Marinating Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 5 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Hawaiian
Keyword: huli huli chicken
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 264kcal
Author: Erica Walker

Ingredients

  • 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 cup pineapple juice (the juice from a 20 oz can of pineapple slices)
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon garlic (crushed or minced)
  • 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger

Instructions

  • Place chicken thighs in a gallon-sized Ziplock bag.
  • Combine remaining ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and whisk until sugar is dissolved.
  • Pour sauce into the bag over the chicken. Press air out of the bag and seal.
  • Marinate at least 2 hours and up to 20 hours.
  • Drain marinade into a medium-sized sauce pan and remove chicken to grill. Simmer sauce over medium heat while chicken is being grilled (about 15 minutes). Stir often. When sauce has thickened a little bit, remove from heat and set aside to cool.
  • Grill chicken for 5-7 minutes per side over medium heat.
  • When internal temperature reaches 165-degrees, remove from heat and cover with foil for 3-5 minutes before serving.
  • Place chicken in a large serving bowl and pour sauce over the chicken, toss to cover in sauce.
  • Serve with pineapple slices, rice and/or side dishes mentioned above.

Video

Notes

Recipe Tips:

    • Use leftover marinade to make a delicious sauce. Simmer on the stove and use as a glaze to grill or pour over the top of the chicken.
    • Grill up some pineapple slices to serve along with the chicken. You won't be sorry.
    • Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness, rather than cutting into the chicken. This keeps your chicken nice and juicy. 
    • Allow the chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving, to keep the chicken juicy. Wrap it in foil after grilling and just let it sit. The chicken will relax and become more tender and the juices will stay put.

Nutrition

Calories: 264kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 1369mg | Potassium: 466mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 130IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 2mg