Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken (Printable)
Grilled chicken with sweet and tangy Hawaiian marinade featuring pineapple, soy sauce, and ginger for a tropical flavor profile.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
02 - 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken drumsticks
→ Marinade & Glaze
03 - 1/2 cup soy sauce
04 - 1/2 cup pineapple juice (unsweetened)
05 - 1/4 cup light brown sugar
06 - 1/4 cup ketchup
07 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated
09 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 2 tablespoons sesame oil
11 - 1 tablespoon honey
12 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
13 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Garnish (optional)
14 - 2 tablespoons scallions, thinly sliced
15 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
16 - 1/4 cup fresh pineapple, diced
# How To Make It:
01 - In a large bowl, whisk together soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, ketchup, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, honey, smoked paprika, and pepper until well combined.
02 - Reserve 1/2 cup of the marinade for basting; set aside.
03 - Place chicken pieces in a large resealable bag or shallow dish. Pour remaining marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (up to overnight).
04 - Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Oil the grates to prevent sticking.
05 - Remove chicken from marinade; discard used marinade. Pat chicken dry lightly with paper towels.
06 - Grill chicken, skin side down, for 6-8 minutes. Flip and grill for another 6-8 minutes.
07 - Brush chicken with reserved marinade and continue grilling, turning and basting every 2-3 minutes, until cooked through and nicely caramelized (internal temperature should reach 165°F), about 20-25 minutes total.
08 - Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with scallions, sesame seeds, and pineapple if desired. Serve hot.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The marinade does double duty as a sticky glaze that creates restaurant quality caramelization
- It hits those perfect sweet and savory notes that make everyone reach for seconds
02 -
- Never reuse marinade that raw chicken soaked in, thats the quickest way to ruin a good meal
- The sugar-heavy glaze burns fast, watch closely and turn frequently
03 -
- Get the grill temperature stable before putting any chicken on
- Keep a water bottle nearby for flare ups from dripping sugar