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Juicy Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 125 reviews

Juicy Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken is a flavorful grilled chicken dish marinated in a sweet and tangy blend of pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, and spices, then grilled to perfect caramelization and served with tender pineapple rings and green onions.

Ingredients

Scale

Marinade Ingredients

  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • ½ cup light soy sauce
  • ½ cup pineapple juice
  • 1 tablespoon ginger paste or minced fresh ginger
  • 1 tablespoon garlic paste or minced fresh garlic
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon coarse black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon paprika (smoked or sweet)

Main Ingredients

  • 4–5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 fresh pineapple (sliced into rings) or 1 can pineapple rings, drained
  • ½ cup sliced green onions, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare Marinade: In a large bowl or Ziploc bag, whisk together all ingredients except chicken and pineapple rings until well combined to create the flavorful marinade.
  2. Reserve Marinade: Set aside ½ cup of the marinade for glazing later in the cooking process.
  3. Marinate Chicken: Add the chicken thighs to the remaining marinade, seal the container or bag, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to fully penetrate the meat.
  4. Preheat Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high heat, around 400°F (204°C), and lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
  5. Grill Chicken: Place the marinated chicken thighs on the grill and cook for about 10 minutes on each side, flipping once, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) ensuring juicy and fully cooked chicken.
  6. Grill Pineapple: During the last few minutes of cooking, grill pineapple rings alongside the chicken until they are nicely caramelized and heated through.
  7. Glaze Chicken: Brush the reserved marinade over the grilled chicken before serving. For a thicker glaze, simmer the reserved marinade in a small pan until it reduces and thickens, then brush it on.
  8. Garnish and Serve: Garnish the grilled chicken with sliced green onions and serve hot alongside the caramelized pineapple rings.

Notes

  • Marinate the chicken overnight for maximum flavor and tenderness.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is safely cooked to 165°F.
  • Simmer the reserved marinade for at least 5 minutes to ensure it is safe for glazing after raw chicken contact.
  • Fresh pineapple rings add a nice touch, but canned pineapple rings work well too.
  • Adjust the sweetness by modifying brown sugar based on preference.

Keywords: Huli Huli Chicken, Hawaiian Chicken Recipe, Grilled Chicken, Pineapple Chicken, Sweet and Tangy Chicken, Summer BBQ Recipe

Find it online: https://miarosetti.com/juicy-hawaiian-huli-huli-chicken-recipe/