Huli Huli Chicken Recipe
This Huli Huli Chicken Recipe is absolutely delicious and one of my favorite Hawaiian inspired recipes. The pineapple and teriyaki marinade gives these chicken thighs the perfect sweet and savory flavor.
The whole family loves this huli-huli chicken because the authentic flavour brings us right back to our time in Maui and road trips to Hana. Use this great recipe to make delicious Hawaiian chicken at home!
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What is huli huli chicken?
Huli Huli chicken is a famous dish on the Hawaiian islands. Huli is a Hawaiian word that means “to turn”.
This popular Hawaiian BBQ chicken is typically marinated and then grilled over a fire on a rotisserie like the maui ribs that we love.
One of our favorite places to stop for food when visiting the island, is on the road to Hana. There is a local road side food stand that serves the best Hawaiian huli huli chicken, cooked over an open fire rotisserie in the back of a trailer on the side of the road. Have you been?
We always stop there for a Hawaiian plate lunch of ribs and BBQ chicken served over a few scoops of rice. Coming home, we miss that authentic huli huli chicken!
In an effort to enjoy our favorite Hawaiian food at home, we’ve been exploring easy recipes that remind us of island living. The marinade that we’ve developed for these tender chicken thighs is nothing short of fantastic!
A perfect combination of fresh pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar and ginger makes for the most delicious chicken marinade!
Huli Huli Chicken:
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Supplies:
- Traeger 780 Pro Smoker Grill – this is our Traeger model, it’s the perfect size for families who like to entertain! Be sure to check out all of our must have Traeger products.
- Meater Thermometer – we love this wireless meat thermometer. It connects to an app that tells you exactly when your meat is done!
- BBQ tongs
- Basting brush
- Paper towels
- Aluminum foil
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Casserole dish
Ingredients:
- 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup red wine
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 Tbsp fresh ginger, minced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 Tbsp hot sauce
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Directions:
1. In a large bowl, combine the marinade ingredients (excluding water).
2. Place the chicken in a casserole dish and cover with the marinade.
Tip: a large resealable bag would work too.
3. Top with cold water if needed so that the chicken pieces are completely covered in marinade.
4. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, overnight is better.
5. Preheat the grill to 400 degrees F.
6. Drain the marinade from the chicken and toss the rest of the marinade.
Note: Be sure to discard the marinade after use, you don’t want to use the remaining marinade and risk spreading salmonella.
7. Place the chicken thighs on the grill grate.
8. Grill chicken for 12-15 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 170 degrees F.
Serve with white rice and grilled pineapple slices. Garnish with chopped parsley.
This recipe makes 8 chicken thighs which is enough for a family of four (or two hungry teenagers). If you love hawaiian recipes like we do this is sure to become a family favorite!
Looking for more Hawaiian style recipes? Be sure to check out these delicious Korean short ribs or these tasty Hawaiian short ribs.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH HAWAIIAN CHICKEN:
- Potato salad, grilled corn salad or macaroni salad.
- Grilled pineapple is a must make! The main reason that the kids love this Hawaiian grilled chicken dish is for the pineapple rings.
- Want to make a savory sauce to go with the chicken? Reserve a 1/2 cup of the marinade before putting the raw chicken in. Put it in a small sauce pan and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally. As the mixture cooks it will thicken, creating a teriyaki sauce to pour over the grilled chicken.
HULI HULI COOKING TIPS:
- Be sure that the internal temperature of the chicken comes to 170 degrees F.
- The longer the marinating time, the more flavourful the chicken!
- Cover leftover chicken in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container to store in the fridge for a few days.
- The chicken may be cooked over a gas grill or charcoal grill.
- Chicken breasts or chicken drumsticks may be used instead of boneless chicken thighs.
If you love this huli huli chicken recipe, please give it a five star review and help me share it on Facebook or Pinterest so that others can enjoy it too!
Huli Huli Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup red wine
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 Tbsp fresh ginger minced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 Tbsp hot sauce
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- 1. In a large bowl, combine the marinade ingredients (excluding water).
- 2. Place the chicken in a casserole dish and cover with the marinade.
- 3. Top with cold water if needed so that the chicken pieces are completely covered in marinade.
- 4. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, overnight is better.
- 5. Preheat the grill to 400 degrees F.
- 6. Drain the marinade from the chicken and toss the rest of the marinade.
- 7. Place the chicken thighs on the grill grate.
- 8. Grill chicken for 12-15 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 170 degrees F.
Nutrition
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