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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- Heat your outdoor grill to 375°F/190°C, ensuring the grates are clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking.
- Remove chicken from the marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Discard the remaining marinade to prevent cross-contamination.
- Arrange chicken breasts on the preheated grill, cooking for 6-7 minutes on the first side until golden brown marks appear.
- 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.
- 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