Description
This Huli Huli Chicken recipe is a delicious Hawaiian-inspired dish featuring tender, juicy grilled chicken thighs marinated in a sweet and savory pineapple soy sauce blend. Ideal for summer grilling, it offers a perfect balance of flavors with hints of ginger, garlic, and sesame, making it a crowd-pleaser for any barbecue or weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Marinade
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Garnish (optional)
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, rice vinegar, grated ginger, minced garlic, sesame oil, and olive oil until well combined.
- Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken thighs in a large resealable bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over the chicken. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
- Preheat the grill: Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat to ensure proper cooking and nice char marks on the chicken.
- Grill the chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, reserving the marinade for basting. Grill the chicken for 5 to 7 minutes per side, basting occasionally with the reserved marinade. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the chicken has a slightly charred appearance.
- Rest and garnish: Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes to retain its juices. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.
- Serve: Serve the Huli Huli Chicken with steamed rice or grilled vegetables for a complete Hawaiian-inspired meal.
Notes
- Reserve a portion of the marinade before adding raw chicken to use exclusively for basting during grilling to avoid contamination.
- Bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks can also be used; adjust grilling time accordingly to ensure thorough cooking.
- Marinating overnight deepens the flavor, but a minimum of 4 hours will still impart good taste.
- For a gluten-free version, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
