The Easiest Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken Recipe You’ll Ever Try

Hawaiian huli huli chicken promises a tantalizing journey through vibrant island flavors that dance across your palate.

Sweet and savory notes intertwine in this beloved tropical dish, creating a culinary experience that transports you to sunny beaches.

Marinades infused with distinctive ingredients reimagine ordinary poultry into an extraordinary meal bursting with character.

Rich caramelized glazes develop complex layers of taste that surprise and delight the senses.

Regional cooking techniques elevate this recipe beyond standard grilled fare, incorporating traditional methods passed through generations of pacific islanders.

Authentic preparation requires careful attention to balance and precision, ensuring each bite captures the essence of Hawaiian cuisine.

The magic lies in understanding how carefully selected components interact to produce something truly memorable.

Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken That Packs Big Flavor

• Flavor Explosion: Dive into a tangy, sweet, and savory Hawaiian-inspired chicken dish that packs a punch of authentic tropical taste sensations.
• Marinade Magic: Discover the secret to incredibly juicy chicken through a thoughtful overnight marinating process that infuses deep, rich flavors into every single bite.
• Grilling Perfection: Experience a foolproof cooking method that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal with professional-level grilling techniques and a mouthwatering glaze.
• Minimal Prep, Maximum Flavor: Enjoy an easy recipe that requires simple ingredients and straightforward steps, making it accessible for home cooks of all skill levels while delivering an impressive and delicious result.

All You Need for Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken

• Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are tender and flavorful, perfect for absorbing marinade and grilling.

• Olive Oil: Helps distribute flavors and keeps chicken moist during cooking, choose extra virgin for best taste.
• Soy Sauce: Adds depth and saltiness, low-sodium option works well for controlled salt content.
• Pineapple Juice: Provides sweet-tangy flavor and helps tenderize the meat naturally.

• Ginger, Garlic Powder: Aromatic spices that add warmth and depth to the Hawaiian-style flavor profile.
• Brown Sugar: Creates caramelization and sweet undertones in the marinade and glaze.
• Paprika, Chili Powder: Adds mild heat and beautiful color to the chicken.

• Ketchup: Provides rich, tangy base for the traditional Huli Huli sauce.
• Rice Vinegar: Balances sweetness with a subtle acidic note.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds complex umami flavor to the sauce.

• Green Onions: Fresh, mild onion flavor that brightens the finished dish.

Cooking Up Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken at Home

Step 1: Prepare Spice Mix

Create a flavorful spice blend in a medium bowl by mixing all Spice Mix ingredients. Set aside for sauce preparation.

Step 2: Create Huli Huli Sauce

Combine the of spice mix with Huli Huli Sauce ingredients. Whisk thoroughly until well blended.

Step 3: Marinate Chicken

• Pour of sauce into a large freezer bag
• Add olive oil
• Place chicken in the bag
• Remove excess air and seal
• Gently turn to coat chicken
• Refrigerate and marinate for 4-8 hours

Step 4: Prepare Spice Rub

Remove chicken from marinade and pat dry. Mix reserved spices with olive oil. Rub mixture evenly on both sides of chicken. Let sit for 15-20 minutes.

Step 5: Reduce Sauce

Simmer remaining Huli Huli Sauce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.

Step 6: Grill Chicken

Preheat grill to medium heat. Grill chicken for 6-8 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Baste with reserved sauce during last 5 minutes of grilling.

Step 7: Finish and Serve

Coat cooked chicken with reduced Huli Huli Glaze. Optionally garnish with chopped green onions. Serve with remaining sauce on the side.

Smart Tips for Better Huli Huli Chicken

• Master the Marinade: Let chicken soak in the flavorful mixture for at least 4 hours or overnight to maximize taste absorption and tenderness.
• Control Grill Temperature: Maintain medium heat to prevent burning and ensure even cooking, creating a perfect caramelized exterior.
• Rest and Baste Technique: Allow chicken to sit with spice rub for 15-20 minutes before grilling, and baste during the last 5 minutes for maximum flavor development.
• Sauce Reduction Trick: Simmer the Huli Huli sauce until it thickens slightly, concentrating the flavors for a more intense glaze.
• Internal Temperature Check: Always use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F, guaranteeing safe and juicy results every time.

Storing and Reheating Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken

• Refrigerate: Store leftover Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed chicken stays fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Keep sauce separately in a sealed container.
• Freeze: Wrap individual chicken pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label the bag with the date and contents to track freshness.
• Reheat: Warm chicken in the microwave using 30-second intervals, checking temperature between each interval. Alternatively, reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying. Brush with reserved Huli Huli sauce to maintain moisture and enhance flavor before serving.

Delicious Pairings for Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken

• Enhance with Tropical Pineapple Rice: Complement the sweet and tangy Huli Huli Chicken with a side of fluffy jasmine rice mixed with fresh diced pineapple chunks, adding a bright, tropical twist that mirrors the Hawaiian-inspired flavors.
• Pair with Crisp Coconut Mojito: Cool down the grilled chicken's warmth with a refreshing coconut mojito, blending rum, fresh mint, lime juice, and a splash of coconut water to echo the dish's island vibes.
• Match with Zesty Mango Slaw: Create a crunchy, vibrant side dish using shredded cabbage, julienned mango, cilantro, and a light citrus dressing that cuts through the chicken's rich glaze and provides a tangy contrast.
• Serve alongside Grilled Pineapple Spears: Brush fresh pineapple with a touch of brown sugar and grill until caramelized, offering a sweet and smoky accompaniment that perfectly complements the chicken's flavor profile.

Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken with a Twist

• Tropical Pineapple Punch: Blend fresh pineapple chunks into the marinade for extra fruity sweetness and tenderize the chicken with natural enzymes.
• Smoky Island Spice: Incorporate smoked paprika and ground chipotle into the spice mix to create a deeper, more intense flavor profile with subtle heat.
• Coconut Lime Fusion: Replace olive oil with coconut milk and add fresh lime zest to the marinade for a creamy, bright tropical undertone that enhances the Hawaiian-inspired recipe.
• Oven-Roasted Alternative: Skip the grill and bake chicken in a preheated 400°F oven on a wire rack, brushing with glaze every 15 minutes until perfectly caramelized and cooked through.

Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 36 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Succulent Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken brings tropical flavors from the islands’ grilling traditions. Tangy pineapple-soy marinade caramelizes perfectly, creating a mouthwatering dish that transports you to sunny Pacific paradise.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 4–5 pounds bone-in skinless chicken thighs

Spice Mix:

• 1.5 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Huli Huli Sauce:

• 1 cup canned pineapple juice
• ⅓ cup (79 milliliters) ketchup
• ⅓ cup (79 milliliters) reduced sodium soy sauce
• ½ cup (100 grams) packed light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce
• ⅓ cup (79 milliliters) olive oil

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Instructions

1. Craft the spice mixture in a medium bowl, extracting one tablespoon to combine with the Huli Huli sauce ingredients. Whisk thoroughly to create a uniform blend.
2. Allocate of the sauce into a large freezer bag, incorporating olive oil. Submerge chicken pieces, ensuring complete coverage, and seal tightly after removing excess air.
3. Refrigerate the marinating chicken for 4-8 hours, allowing flavors to deeply penetrate the meat.
4. Remove chicken from marinade, gently patting excess liquid with paper towels. Discard the used marinade.
5. Mix the reserved spices with olive oil, creating a robust rub. Massage the mixture evenly across both sides of the chicken pieces.
6. Let the seasoned chicken rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to enhance flavor absorption.
7. Simultaneously, simmer the remaining Huli Huli sauce in a saucepan, reducing for approximately 10 minutes until it reaches a slightly thickened consistency.
8. Prepare the grill to medium heat (around 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit), lightly greasing the grates to prevent sticking.
9. Grill chicken for 6-8 minutes per side, ensuring an internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
10. During the final 5 minutes of grilling, generously baste the chicken with the reserved sauce.
11. Once cooked, lavish the chicken with the reduced Huli Huli glaze and optionally garnish with finely chopped green onions.
12. Serve immediately with any remaining sauce on the side.

Notes

• Kick off this Hawaiian-inspired dish by marinating chicken for maximum flavor absorption, ensuring tenderness and depth in every bite.
• Prepare the marinade and sauce ahead of time, allowing flavors to meld and intensify for a more complex taste profile.
• Pat chicken dry before applying spice rub to help create a perfect golden-brown crust that seals in juicy goodness.
• Use a meat thermometer to guarantee chicken reaches safe internal temperature without overcooking or drying out.
• Reserve some sauce for basting and glazing, which adds layers of caramelized sweetness and prevents bland results.
• Garnish with fresh green onions to introduce a bright, crisp element that cuts through the rich, sweet glazed chicken.

• Prep Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 16 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Hawaiian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 438 kcal
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 589 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 190 mg