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Grilled Huli Huli Chicken Recipe

Grilled Huli Huli Chicken Recipe


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4.5 from 39 reviews

  • Total Time: 4 hours 16 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Hawaiian huli huli chicken brings island flavors dancing across your plate with sweet and tangy marinade perfection. Juicy grilled chicken promises a tropical escape that delights senses and transports you straight to Pacific paradise.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Proteins:

  • 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Sauce Base Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) pineapple juice
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup (80 ml) ketchup
  • 1/3 cup (80 ml) low sodium soy sauce

Seasonings:

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic

Instructions

  1. Craft a vibrant marinade by whisking pineapple juice, brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, ground ginger, and minced garlic in a mixing bowl until thoroughly blended.
  2. Transfer the marinade into a large resealable plastic bag, submerge chicken breasts, and refrigerate for 4-12 hours to allow deep flavor penetration.
  3. Heat outdoor grill to medium-high temperature (around 375-400°F) approximately 10 minutes before cooking.
  4. Extract chicken from refrigerator, carefully drain and discard used marinade to prevent cross-contamination.
  5. Position chicken breasts onto preheated grill grates, creating 45-degree angle for attractive crosshatch marks.
  6. Grill chicken for 6-8 minutes per side, rotating midway to ensure even caramelization and consistent cooking.
  7. Verify doneness by checking internal temperature reaches 165°F using a meat thermometer, piercing thickest portion of chicken.
  8. Allow grilled chicken to rest 3-5 minutes after removing from heat, which helps redistribute internal juices and maintain tenderness.
  9. Plate the huli huli chicken alongside complementary sides like steamed rice, grilled pineapple, or crisp island-inspired salad.

Notes

  • Swap pineapple juice with orange juice for a tangy twist if you can’t find fresh pineapple juice.
  • Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts for more intense flavor and juiciness.
  • For gluten-free adaptation, replace regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
  • If you lack outdoor grill access, this recipe works perfectly with indoor grill pan or oven broiler method at high temperature.
  • Prep Time: 4 hours
  • Cook Time: 16 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: Hawaiian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 196 kcal
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 230 mg
  • Fat: 3 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 28 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg