Description
Huli Huli Chicken brings Hawaiian sunshine straight to your dinner table with a sweet and tangy marinade that makes weeknight meals feel like a tropical vacation. Tender chicken gets glazed in a delicious blend of soy sauce, brown sugar, and ginger that sizzles perfectly on the grill.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 12 boneless skinless chicken thighs
Sauce Base:
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 6 tablespoons ketchup
- 6 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 2 ½ tablespoons sherry
- 1 ½ teaspoons minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon dried ginger
Instructions
- Whisk together ½ cup brown sugar, 6 tablespoons ketchup, 6 tablespoons soy sauce, 2½ tablespoons sherry, ½ teaspoon ginger, and 1½ teaspoons garlic in a small bowl until smooth.
- Separate and set aside ½ cup of the marinade in a sealed container for later basting. Refrigerate this portion.
- Place 12 chicken thighs in a large zip-top bag and pour remaining marinade over them. Seal and refrigerate for 8-12 hours to absorb flavors deeply.
- Heat gas or charcoal grill to 375°F, creating a medium-heat zone for even cooking.
- Remove chicken from marinade and discard the used liquid. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
- Arrange chicken thighs on grill grates, positioning them to avoid direct flame contact.
- Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes per side, ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Brush reserved marinade over chicken during final 3-4 minutes of grilling for caramelized glaze.
- Transfer grilled chicken to a clean platter and let rest for 3-4 minutes before serving.
- Optionally garnish with chopped green onions or fresh cilantro for added brightness.
Notes
- Always marinate chicken for at least 8 hours to allow the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internally for safe consumption.
- When basting, apply the reserved marinade in the last few minutes of grilling to prevent burning and create a glossy finish.
- For a healthier version, swap chicken thighs with chicken breasts, but reduce grilling time to prevent drying out.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 317 kcal
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 410 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg