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A platter of huli huli chicken with grilled pineapple slices on the side
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5 from 17 votes

Grilled Huli Huli Chicken

Huli Huli Chicken is a popular Hawaiian dish consisting of chicken thighs marinated in a sweet and savory sauce and grilled to perfection.
Prep Time5 minutes
Marinating Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 5 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Hawaiian
Keyword: huli huli chicken
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 264kcal
Author: Erica Walker

Ingredients

  • 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 cup pineapple juice (the juice from a 20 oz can of pineapple slices)
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon garlic (crushed or minced)
  • 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger

Instructions

  • Place chicken thighs in a gallon-sized Ziplock bag.
  • Combine remaining ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and whisk until sugar is dissolved.
  • Pour sauce into the bag over the chicken. Press air out of the bag and seal.
  • Marinate at least 2 hours and up to 20 hours.
  • Drain marinade into a medium-sized sauce pan and remove chicken to grill. Simmer sauce over medium heat while chicken is being grilled (about 15 minutes). Stir often. When sauce has thickened a little bit, remove from heat and set aside to cool.
  • Grill chicken for 5-7 minutes per side over medium heat.
  • When internal temperature reaches 165-degrees, remove from heat and cover with foil for 3-5 minutes before serving.
  • Place chicken in a large serving bowl and pour sauce over the chicken, toss to cover in sauce.
  • Serve with pineapple slices, rice and/or side dishes mentioned above.

Video

Notes

Recipe Tips:

  • Don't throw out that marinade! Simmer the sauce on the stove top and make a delicious glaze to pour over the top or use to glaze the chicken on the grill. If you simmer the sauce in a big enough pot you can just throw the grilled chicken in while it is still simmering. This is something I learned in Hawaii and it makes the chicken SO GOOD.
  • Grill up the pineapple slices and serve along with the chicken. You won't be sorry.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. This keeps your chicken nice and juicy. If you cut it open to check for pink, the juices will run out and your chicken will be dry.
  • Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving. Wrap it in foil after grilling and just let it sit. The chicken will relax and become more tender and the juices will stay put.

Nutrition

Calories: 264kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 1369mg | Potassium: 466mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 130IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 2mg