Description
Huli Huli Chicken brings Hawaiian sunshine straight to your dinner table with a tangy pineapple-spiked marinade that makes grilling an absolute breeze. Tender chicken thighs glazed in a sweet and savory sauce will transport your taste buds to a tropical paradise without leaving your backyard.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Sauce Ingredients:
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup pineapple juice
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Green onions, chopped
- Grilled pineapple slices
Instructions
- Pour ½ cup soy sauce, ¼ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup ketchup, ½ cup pineapple juice, 1 tablespoon grated ginger, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, and 2 tablespoons olive oil into a large resealable bag or shallow dish to craft your zesty marinade.
- Submerge 2 pounds of boneless chicken thighs completely in the marinade, seal tightly, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours to let the flavors deeply penetrate your meat.
- Heat your grill to 400°F, creating medium-high direct heat zones for perfect caramelization.
- Extract chicken from marinade, reserving ¼ cup liquid for periodic basting during cooking.
- Position chicken thighs onto hot grill grates, cooking 5-6 minutes per side while brushing with reserved marinade.
- Check internal chicken temperature with a meat thermometer, ensuring it reaches exactly 165°F for safe consumption.
- Transfer grilled chicken to a clean serving platter, sprinkle with chopped green onions for fresh garnish.
- Accompany your chicken with caramelized grilled pineapple slices for a tropical side that complements the savory marinade.
Notes
- Let the chicken marinate overnight to maximize flavor absorption and tenderness in every bite.
- Brush the chicken frequently with reserved marinade while grilling to create a caramelized, glossy exterior that seals in moisture.
- For a gluten-free version, swap traditional soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to maintain the rich umami profile.
- When checking doneness, use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken to guarantee safe cooking without drying out the meat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 345 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg