This mouthwatering Hawaiian BBQ dish is packed with flavor. It's is a guaranteed hit with the whole family.
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Table of Contents
❤️ Why you'll love it
- Huli Huli Chicken is marinated in a delicious blend of sweet, tangy, and savory ingredients. They come together to create an explosion of tropical flavors. From the smoky grilled notes to the sticky, caramelized glaze, each bite will leave you wanting more.
- This recipe is perfect for busy families. You only need simple ingredients that are easy to find. The preparation is a breeze.!
- This tropical chicken recipe can be served in a variety of ways. Make it the main course alongside steamed rice and maybe a side of tropical fruit salad. Or, use it as a filling in sandwiches, wraps, or tacos. You could even shred it and add to a salad. The possibilities are endless!
Get ready to transport your taste buds to a tropical paradise! Huli is the Hawaiian word for "to turn" according to Google Translate.
So, huli huli means to turn it several times and often! Best of all, it's a crowd-pleaser, loved by both kids and adults alike!
🧾 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
📖 Variations
While the classic huli huli chicken recipe is fantastic on its own, there are a few variations you can try to switch things up:
- I love the flavor bourbon adds to this recipe (it's the southerner in me). You can substitute rum or coconut rum to vary the flavor.
- Add a more interesting flavor by using half pineapple and half orange juice.
- I like using fresh ginger in this recipe but you could use ½ to ¾ of a teaspoon of powdered ginger.
- If you're a fan of heat, add up to a teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the marinade. You'll get a mouth-tingling, volcanic experience.
- Cut the chicken into chunks and use it to make huli huli chicken kabobs. Skewer chicken, bell pepper, onion, and pineapple chunks and brush with the marinade.
- Or use it to brush onto wings.
- Try using this sauce on pork chops or salmon. It adds an incredible depth of flavor.
- I like this brushed onto vegetables when grilling. I've also brushed it over tofu or tempeh when I'm in a vegetarian sort of mood.
🔪 Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions for this Hawaiian bbq chicken recipe. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Mix all marinade ingredients together.
- Pour over chicken and marinate overnight.
- Drain off the marinade and throw away. Place chicken on a preheated grill.
- Cook about 5-6 minutes per side basting often with reserved marinate.
🥫 How to store leftovers
In the unlikely event that you have leftovers (yes, it's that good!) here's how to store them. Just be sure that you refrigerate leftovers promptly.
To Refrigerate
Allow the cooked chicken dish to cool down completely. Place it in an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To Freeze
There's a couple of ways to do this.
- Freeze uncooked chicken in the marinade. The day before you want to serve it remove from the freezer. Put in the refrigerator to thaw overnight then proceed as directed in the recipe.
- Let chicken cool to room temperature and then place in freezer-safe containers or freezer bags. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Put in the refrigerator to thaw overnight then reheat in the microwave or oven.
💭 Things to know
Expert Tip: f you're going to freeze the raw chicken and marinade put it in a vacuum sealer bag and seal. The flavors will stay fresh and the marinade won't leak!
Your huli huli chicken will turn out perfectly every time if you use these tips!
- Give your chicken enough time to marinate and soak up all the flavors. Aim for at least 8 hours, but you can leave it to marinate longer.
- This can be marinated for 3-4 days ahead of time. If you need longer than that before cooking just toss it in the freezer.
- If you want that authentic outdoorsy, smoky taste use a charcoal grill. Don't worry if you don't have one. You can still get amazing results using a gas grill, a stovetop grill pan, or your oven's broiler.
- During the grilling process, baste your chicken with the marinade every few minutes. This helps enhance the flavor and also helps create that luscious caramelized glaze we all love.
- If you're going to freeze the raw chicken and marinade put it in a vacuum sealer bag and seal. The flavors will stay fresh and the marinade won't leak!
- You can also marinate right in a large bowl with plastic wrap over the top.
- Be sure your grill is preheated so that it’s hot before you lay the chicken down on it.
- Reserve some of the marinade for a basting sauce then pour the rest over the chicken. NEVER re-use the marinade.
👩🍳 FAQs
Absolutely! You can use bone-in or boneless chicken, pork, or whatever.
Huli huli sauce is sweeter and a little spicy. Teriyaki chicken has more of an umami, salty flavor.
The best way to tell if any kind of chicken is done is to use an insta-read thermometer to check the internal temperature. Poke it into the center of the chicken. when it reads 160F take it off the heat, tent with foil, and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes. During this time it will continue to cook to 165F - the perfect temperature!
📚 Related recipes
- This classic bacon wrapped bbq chicken is quick and easy, too.
- Lipton onion burgers are old-fashioned but they are SO good. Did your mom make them?
🍽️ Serve with...
I love this tropical recipe served with white rice as a side. I'll usually add a crunchy broccoli, cauliflower, and cranberry salad for some color and texture.
If I'm grilling anyway there's no reason not to add some of this grilled pineapple. A lot of people add pineapple slices to the meal, too.
And what goes better with this easy summer dinner than no bake Millionaire Pie?
Absolutely nothing.
📞 The last word
My family doesn't care for dark meat so I use chicken breasts. It's really important to make sure you don't overcook them because the white meat will dry out really fast.
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Huli Huli Chicken
Print Pin Recipe Save Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- ⅓ cup soy sauce, reduced sodium
- ⅓ cup pineapple juice
- ¼ cup bourbon, or rum
- 1-½ teaspoons fresh ginger root, minced
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 3 pounds boneless chicken thighs, or breasts
- green onions , garnish
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients except chicken and green onion together.
- Reserve ¾ cup of the marinade mixture by placing in a covered container in the refrigerator.
- Place the chicken in a glass bowl or large freezer bag and cover with the remaining marinade.
- Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. If you use a Ziploc bag you can just put it in the fridge on a plate or in a small baking dish.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and throw the used marinade away. Pat chicken dry with paper towels.
- Grill chicken, covered, over medium heat for 6-8 minutes on each side or until it reaches 160℉ in the center. Baste with the reserved marinade during the last 5 minutes or so.
- Tent with foil and let stand 5 - 10 minutes. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and serve.
Notes
- Give your chicken enough time to marinate and soak up all the flavors. Aim for at least 8 hours, but you can leave it to marinate longer.
- This can be marinated for 3-4 days ahead of time.
- You can use an outdoor grill or a grill pan indoors.
- During the grilling process, baste your chicken with the marinade every few minutes.
- If you're going to freeze the raw chicken and marinade put it in a vacuum sealer bag and seal. The flavors will stay fresh and the marinade won't leak!
- You can also marinate right in a large bowl with plastic wrap over the top.
- Be sure your grill is preheated so that it’s hot before you lay the chicken down on it.
- Reserve some of the marinade for a basting sauce then pour the rest over the chicken. NEVER re-use the marinade.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
Laurie says
My hubby and I made this (I prepared and he grilled) on Sunday. It was fantastic!!! Definitely will prepare often - very impressive for company- and so easy. I served it with rice and stir fry veggies. Big hit with the hubby. Thanks!
Charissa says
I didn't have time to do as a marinade. I simmered the sauce for a few minutes then spooned it on top of frozen breaded chicken and air fried it. It livened up the chicken. The flavor is great and mellows a little if you let it set for a few minutes. This sauce is very versatile