Huli Huli Chicken

Check out Huli Huli Chicken, the Hawaiian version of barbecue chicken with an amazing marinade and a fun name!

Table of Contents

Even though there are a million different chicken recipes in the world – give or take – no two are the same. That’s definitely true when it comes to huli huli chicken, which is a dish that originated in Hawaii. The recipe was first created by Ernest Morgado in 1955 when he prepared a special teriyaki-style marinade for chicken at a farmer’s meeting. It’s called huli huli chicken because huli is the Hawaiian word for “turn” and that’s what someone would shout every time the chicken was flipped on the grill. It’s been a part of Hawaiian cuisine ever since and has gained popularity elsewhere too.

The key to the recipe is the marinade, which includes a wide array of ingredients, including ketchup, pineapple juice, brown sugar, and a few other things. It’s not the most conventional marinade, which is part of the reason why this recipe stands out among all of the other chicken recipes out there. With a diverse blend of flavors in the marinade, the chicken emerges with an ideal combination of sweet and savory. Plus, since you’re grilling the chicken, there is a smoky flavor to the chicken as well, so the overall flavor profile of this dish is off the charts.

One extra flavor you don’t want to forget is the bed of pineapple rings served with the chicken. While the recipe calls for grilling the pineapple rings, you can also make Air-Fryer Pineapple Rings. Even though these pineapple rings are more of a dessert, their sweetness is a great complement for the chicken, whether you prepare them on the grill or in the air fryer.

Is Huli Huli Chicken Healthy?

The boneless and skinless chicken thighs used to make huli huli chicken are an excellent source of protein. However, the ketchup and soy sauce in the marinade add a lot of sodium, unless you use low-sodium products. Also, if you’re watching your sugar intake, you may want to reduce or eliminate the brown sugar and allow the sweetness to come from the pineapple juice.

Dice And Skewer

It’s simple enough to marinate and grill this chicken the traditional way. But there is another option to consider. You can dice up the chicken into smaller pieces before marinating it. With smaller pieces, there is more surface area for the chicken to soak up the marinade. You can then put the smaller pieces of chicken on a skewer while grilling them. On a skewer, it will be easier to turn or “huli” the chicken, which is a key factor in making authentic huli huli chicken.

INGREDIENTS

3/4 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup ketchup
2/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
4 tablespoons unsweetened pineapple juice
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons freshly minced ginger
3 cloves minced garlic
4 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
Red pepper flakes, to taste (optional)
Green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)
Grilled pineapple rings or chunks, for serving

INSTRUCTIONS

Prepare

Mix and marinate chicken with pineapple juice, soy sauce, and other ingredients.

Grill

Grill marinated chicken until cooked and optionally baste with reserved marinade.

Rest And Serve

Rest chicken after grilling and serve with green onions, red pepper flakes, and grilled pineapple.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How To Make Ahead And Store

If there is leftover huli huli chicken, it can be stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge for up to 3 or 4 days. Reheat in the microwave until warmed through.

Reserve Some Marinade

Set aside some of the marinade before putting the rest into the bag with the chicken – it can be used to baste the chicken while it cooks on the grill. Always discard the marinade you used to marinate the chicken initially.

What’s The Difference Between Huli Huli And Teriyaki Chicken?

Teriyaki is mostly made of soy sauce and rice wine with a little sugar, whereas huli huli chicken also includes pineapple juice, ketchup, and garlic in the marinade.

Serving Suggestions

If you’re going to make huli huli chicken, you might as well make one or two Hawaiian side dishes to go with it. One of my favorites is Hawaiian Macaroni Salad, although Hawaiian Fried Rice is also an excellent option. Other types of rice are also a good complement for huli huli chicken, including Ginger Rice and imitation Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice. I would also recommend Low-Carb Keto Cucumber Salad as a side dish or perhaps a simple serving of Healthy Mashed Potatoes.