Description
Authentic Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken: A sweet, tangy, smoky, and juicy grilled chicken marinated in a pineapple-soy glaze that caramelizes beautifully on the grill.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup brown sugar or honey
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- Fresh green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, olive oil, ginger, garlic, and paprika.
- Place chicken in a large zip-top bag or container and pour in the marinade. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Oil the grates to prevent sticking.
- Remove chicken from marinade and grill, turning occasionally and basting with reserved marinade, until cooked through and slightly charred, about 25–30 minutes.
- Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
- Marinate for at least 4 hours (overnight for deeper flavor) for best results.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to keep salt in check, or adjust to taste.
- If you can’t grill, bake the chicken in a 425°F (220°C) oven on a rack set over a baking sheet, basting with marinade until cooked through.
- Garnish with fresh green onions and sesame seeds just before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece (approx. 1 grilled drumstick or thigh)
- Calories: ~320–380 per serving
- Sugar: ~8–15 g
- Sodium: ~400–600 mg
- Fat: ~14 g
- Saturated Fat: ~3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: ~7–12 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: ~27–31 g
- Cholesterol: ~80–90 mg
Keywords: Authentic Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken, Huli Huli sauce, Hawaiian chicken, pineapple glaze, grilled chicken, Hawaiian BBQ, tropical chicken, Hawaiian recipe