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Huli Huli Chicken Recipe

4.8 from 135 reviews

Huli Huli Chicken is a classic Hawaiian grilled chicken recipe featuring a sweet and savory marinade made from soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, and garlic. The chicken is marinated to absorb bold island flavors, then grilled to juicy perfection while being basted with the tangy glaze, resulting in a delicious, slightly caramelized finish perfect for summer cookouts or Hawaiian-themed dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Marinade and Sauce

  • 1 cup soy sauce
  • 1 cup pineapple juice
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Chicken

  • 4 pounds whole chicken, cut into pieces or 4 pounds chicken thighs

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade: In a large bowl, combine the soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, and minced garlic. Whisk until the sugar dissolves completely, creating a sweet and savory sauce.
  2. Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken pieces in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Seal and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to soak in deeply.
  3. Preheat the grill: Heat your grill to medium-high heat, around 375°F to 400°F. Oil the grill grates lightly to prevent sticking.
  4. Grill the chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, reserving the marinade for basting. Place the chicken on the grill skin side down. Grill for about 15-20 minutes per side, turning occasionally, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and is nicely charred.
  5. Baste during grilling: Frequently brush the reserved marinade over the chicken as it cooks. This will help build layers of flavor and create the classic huli huli glaze on the outside of the chicken.
  6. Serve: Once cooked through and beautifully caramelized, remove the chicken from the grill. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy with rice and grilled pineapple for a true Hawaiian meal.

Notes

  • Always discard any marinade that has come into contact with raw chicken to avoid cross-contamination.
  • For extra smoky flavor, use a charcoal grill or add wood chips to your gas grill while cooking.
  • Huli Huli translates as “turn, turn” in Hawaiian, referring to the constant turning of the chicken over the grill while basting.
  • You can substitute chicken thighs for drums or breasts depending on preference.
  • Use fresh pineapple juice if possible; canned juice works but may alter sweetness slightly.

Keywords: Huli Huli Chicken, Hawaiian chicken recipe, Grilled chicken, Pineapple soy chicken, Barbecue chicken