Huli Huli Chicken Recipe To Grill Juicy Hawaiian Style

Easy Huli Huli Grilled Chicken infuses the sunny flavors of Hawaii right to your backyard with minimal effort and maximum taste.

This popular island favorite has been delighting people at beach gatherings and celebrations for decades.

The sweet and savory combination creates a caramelized exterior that makes every bite satisfying.

Perfect for warm weather cooking, this dish works beautifully for casual weeknight dinners or weekend entertaining.

The straightforward preparation means even beginners can achieve impressive results without stress.

Hawaiian cuisine offers such bold yet balanced flavors, and this recipe showcases exactly why so many have fallen in love with it.

Fire up the grill and prepare to serve something truly special that everyone will request again and again.

What Makes Huli Huli Chicken So Sweet, Charred, and Addictive

• Hawaiian Flavor Escape: Bring tropical tastes right to your backyard grill without booking an expensive flight.
• Quick Weeknight Dinner Solution: Your family gets a restaurant-style meal that’s seriously simple to prepare with minimal kitchen mess.
• Super Crowd-Pleaser Dish: Guests always ask for seconds when this sweet and savory chicken hits the table – perfect for summer gatherings.
• Healthy Protein Option: Lean chicken breasts marinated in fresh ingredients make a nutritious dinner that doesn’t sacrifice any deliciousness.

Ingredients Needed for Easy Huli Huli Grilled Chicken

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (34 pieces, about 1.5 lbs): Tender cuts perfect for absorbing the delicious Hawaiian-inspired marinade.

• Pineapple Juice (1/2 cup): Brings sweet, tropical brightness and helps tenderize your chicken.
• Low-Sodium Soy Sauce (1/4 cup): Provides savory depth and balanced saltiness to the marinade.
• Sesame Oil (1 tbsp): Adds rich, nutty undertones that complement the Hawaiian flavor profile.

• Brown Sugar (1/4 cup): Creates a caramelized glaze that helps your chicken develop gorgeous grill marks.
• Fresh Garlic (3 cloves, minced): Delivers a robust, aromatic kick to the marinade.
• Ground Ginger (1 tsp): Introduces a warm, slightly spicy note that pairs beautifully with the sweet and savory elements.

• Green Onions (finely sliced): Fresh, crisp topping that adds a bright finish to your grilled chicken.

What You Use for Huli Huli Grilled Chicken

• Large Mixing Bowl: A spacious container where you’ll blend all marinade ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Your trusty tool for combining marinade components without leaving any lumps behind.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Precise measuring helps ensure your marinade tastes perfectly balanced.
• Resealable Plastic Bag or Shallow Dish: Where your chicken will soak up all those delicious Hawaiian-style flavors.
• Meat Thermometer: Helps check that your chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
• Outdoor Grill or Grill Pan: The main cooking surface that will give your chicken those beautiful char marks.
• Cutting Board: A clean space for prepping chicken and green onion garnish.
• Sharp Knife: For slicing green onions and trimming chicken if needed.
• Tongs: Essential for safely turning and moving chicken on the hot grill surface.

Grilling Guide for Sweet Hawaiian-Style Chicken

Grilling Notes That Help Easy Huli Huli Grilled Chicken

• Make the sauce the day before to let flavors deeply merge and intensify your chicken’s taste.
• Arrange chicken at a 45-degree angle on hot grates for perfect grill marks that look professional.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches safe 165°F without overcooking and drying out the meat.
• Let grilled chicken rest 5 minutes after cooking so juices redistribute, keeping every bite tender and succulent.
• Sprinkle fresh green onions right before serving to add bright, sharp contrast to the sweet-savory chicken.

Flavor Swaps for Easy Huli Huli Grilled Chicken

• Vegan Protein Option: Swap chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, pressing out excess moisture before marinating and grilling for a plant-based alternative that soaks up all the Hawaiian-inspired flavors.
• Oven-Baked Alternative: When grilling isn’t possible, spread chicken on a lined baking sheet and roast at 425°F for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through to ensure even caramelization.
• Gluten-Free Version: Replace traditional soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to make the entire marinade safe for those avoiding gluten, maintaining the same delicious tropical taste.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Reduce brown sugar or substitute with a sugar-free sweetener like monk fruit, keeping the marinade’s signature tangy-sweet profile while cutting down on carbohydrates.

Best Ways to Serve Easy Huli Huli Grilled Chicken

• Serve with Fluffy Rice: Spoon tender grilled chicken over steamed jasmine rice to soak up those amazing marinade flavors.
• Tropical Side Salad: Toss together a quick cucumber and mango salad with a light lime dressing to complement the sweet-savory chicken.
• Grill Companion Vegetables: Brush some pineapple slices or bell pepper strips with remaining marinade and grill alongside your chicken for a complete Hawaiian-style meal.
• Perfect Beverage Pairing: Crack open a crisp, cold beer or mix a fruity tropical cocktail that matches the chicken’s bright, tangy profile.

How to Store Easy Huli Huli Grilled Chicken

• Refrigerate leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days, ensuring the meat stays moist and flavorful.
• Reheat gently in the microwave with a damp paper towel over the chicken to prevent drying out and preserve the tender texture.
• Slice cold chicken and add to salads for a quick protein boost that keeps the Hawaiian-inspired flavor profile.
• Chop and warm the chicken in a skillet with a splash of extra pineapple juice to refresh the moisture and bring back the original juiciness.

Huli Huli Chicken Grilling Questions

Juicy Huli Huli Grilled Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 22 minutes – 1 hour 26 minutes
• Yield: 3 to 4 1x

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Description

Huli Huli Chicken from Hawaiian cuisine brings tropical flavors right to your backyard grill, letting your taste buds dance with a sweet and tangy marinade that makes dinner feel like a beachside celebration. Grilling this juicy chicken creates delicious caramelized edges that seal in all the delightful Hawaiian-inspired goodness for a meal that connects you directly to island traditions.

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Ingredients

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Primary Proteins:

• 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs or 680 grams)

Marinade Liquids:

• ½ cup (120 milliliters) pineapple juice
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) sesame oil

Seasoning and Sweeteners:

• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 3 cloves fresh garlic
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• Green onions (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Craft a vibrant marinade by whisking ½ cup pineapple juice, ¼ cup soy sauce, ¼ cup brown sugar, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground ginger, and 1 tbsp sesame oil until completely blended.
2. Transfer 34 boneless chicken breasts into a large resealable plastic bag, then generously pour the prepared marinade over the meat. Seal the bag tightly and refrigerate for 60-90 minutes.
3. Heat your outdoor grill to 375°F/190°C, ensuring the grates are clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking.
4. Remove chicken from the marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Discard the remaining marinade to prevent cross-contamination.
5. Arrange chicken breasts on the preheated grill, cooking for 6-7 minutes on the first side until golden brown marks appear.
6. Flip the chicken and grill an additional 6-7 minutes, checking that the internal temperature reaches exactly 165°F/74°C using a meat thermometer.
7. Transfer grilled chicken to a clean serving platter and sprinkle finely sliced green onions across the top for a fresh, aromatic garnish.

Notes

• Use fresh pineapple juice for the most vibrant and authentic Hawaiian flavor in the marinade.
• Let the chicken marinate overnight to develop deeper, more complex taste and ensure maximum tenderness.
• Check chicken’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer to prevent overcooking and keep the meat juicy.
• For a gluten-free version, swap regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to maintain the same rich umami profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12-16 minutes
• Category: Chicken
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Hawaiian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3 to 4
• Calories: 210 kcal
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg