Huli Huli Chicken: A Taste of Hawaii

A sizzling plate of Huli Huli chicken and grilled pineapple, marinated in a sweet and savory sauce. The perfect dish for a Hawaiian-themed barbecue.

Jani

Hi, I'm Janice! I'm a chef, food photographer, and DIY enthusiast. On this blog, I share reliable, budget-friendly recipes that anyone can make, regardless of their cooking experience. Alongside these delicious dishes, I also offer a peek into my DIY projects, showing you how I’m transforming my home one step at a time. Whether you're here to cook up something tasty or get inspired to tackle a home improvement project, you'll find something to enjoy!

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Huli Huli Chicken is a Hawaiian delight that captures the essence of Pacific breezes and the echoes of rotisserie ovens. Today, I’m recreating its Asian-inspired essence in my kitchen, paying homage to the fusion of cultures that defines Hawaiian cuisine.

This dish was invented in the 1950s by Ernest Morgado, who got creative with the Hawaiian word ‘huli’ meaning ‘to turn.’ He came up with a genius way to grill chicken by placing it between two grills and flipping it constantly. But, the secret to its amazing flavor is the marinade, a mix of soy sauce, ginger, garlic, brown sugar, and spices. After marinating for hours, the chicken is grilled to perfection. It’s become a Hawaiian BBQ classic, and if you love sweet and savory flavors, you’ll be hooked!

A sizzling plate of Huli Huli chicken and grilled pineapple, marinated in a sweet and savory sauce. The perfect dish for a Hawaiian-themed barbecue.

Essential Elements of Huli Huli Chicken

The secret to Huli Huli Chicken lies in its marinade—a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and umami flavors. Here’s what you need:

  • Ketchup: Adds sweetness and a touch of acidity.
  • Brown sugar: Provides caramelized depth.
  • Soy sauce: The source of umami.
  • Pineapple juice: For a tropical tang.
  • Sesame oil: Enhances the Asian-inspired flavor.
  • Garlic and fresh ginger: Aromatic staples.
  • Rice vinegar and chili sauce: For a subtle kick of heat and balance.
A flat lay of ingredients for making Huli Huli chicken, including chicken thighs, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, pineapple juice, ketchup, sesame oil, sesame seeds, and chili sauce.

Preparing the marinade is straightforward. Start by mincing the garlic and grating the ginger. Combine these with the other ingredients in a saucepan, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Let it cook for five minutes until it thickens slightly, then cool completely before using it.

Let’s Get Cooking

Preparing Huli Huli Chicken is simple yet incredibly rewarding. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Make the Marinade
    Sauté ginger and garlic in sesame oil until aromatic. Add soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, and smoked paprika. Cook briefly to meld flavors. If you prefer a thicker sauce, whisk 1/4 cup water with 1 tablespoon cornstarch and stir it in.
  2. Marinate the Chicken
    Reserve 1/2 cup of the marinade for basting. In a large bowl, combine the remaining marinade with chicken thighs or drumsticks. Let the chicken soak for up to 4 hours to infuse the flavors.
  3. Grill the Chicken
    Heat your grill to medium-high. Place the marinated chicken on the grates and grill for about 5 minutes on one side. Flip the chicken, grill for another 5 minutes, then start basting with the reserved marinade. Continue turning and basting every 2 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and slightly charred.

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Variations and Substitutions

  1. Marinate for Maximum Flavor: While 4 hours is sufficient, letting the chicken marinate overnight yields the best results.
  2. Use Indirect Heat: To avoid burning the sugar in the marinade, cook the chicken over indirect heat, then finish with direct heat for that signature char.
  3. Don’t Skip the Basting: Frequent basting ensures the chicken stays moist and enhances its flavor.
  4. Let It Rest: Allow the grilled chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving to lock in the juices.

Tips and Tricks

  1. Protein Swap: While chicken thighs or drumsticks are traditional, this marinade works wonders on pork chops or shrimp.
  2. Add a Spicy Kick: Increase the chili sauce or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the marinade if you like extra heat.
  3. Alternative Sweeteners: Swap brown sugar for honey or coconut sugar for a different flavor.

 

A sizzling plate of Huli Huli chicken and grilled pineapple, marinated in a sweet and savory sauce. The perfect dish for a Hawaiian-themed barbecue.
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Huli Huli Chicken

Juicy grilled chicken thighs marinated in soy sauce, ginger, ketchup, and pineapple juice.
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American, Hawaiian
Palabra clave Chicken, Grilled, Hawaiian, Huli
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 280kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken thighs 800 g
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce 60 ml
  • 1 cup pineapple juice 240 ml
  • 1/2 cup ketchup 120 ml
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce optional
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar 30 g
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar 30 ml
  • 1 tablespoon oil 15 ml
  • Sesame seeds and pineapple slices for serving

Instructions

  • Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, mix together pineapple juice, soy sauce, grated ginger, minced garlic, rice vinegar, brown sugar, hot sauce (if using), and ketchup. This mixture will serve as the marinade for the chicken.
  • Reduce the Marinade: Pour the marinade into a small saucepan and heat over medium-high. Allow it to boil, then reduce the heat to medium. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the marinade reduces by about 25%. This step will intensify the flavors and slightly thicken the marinade.
  • Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in a dish or a resealable plastic bag, and pour the reduced marinade over them. Make sure all the chicken is evenly coated. Cover the dish with plastic wrap or seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight, to let the chicken absorb the flavors fully.
  • Grill the Chicken: Preheat your grill pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, place the chicken thighs on the grill and cook for about 10 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked and golden on the outside. While grilling, brush the chicken with the reserved marinade every 3 minutes for extra flavor.
  • Serve: Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with sesame seeds and serve with pineapple slices, white rice, or your favorite side dish. Enjoy this flavorful Hawaiian-inspired dish!

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