Huli Huli Chicken

Table of Contents

1. Huli Huli Chicken Ingredients
2. Substitutions and Additions for Huli Huli Chicken
3. How to Make this Authentic Huli Huli Chicken Recipe
4. How to Serve Huli Huli Chicken
5. Why You'll Love This Chicken Recipe
6. FAQs about Huli Huli Chicken
7. Storage TIPS
8. More Yummy Chicken Recipes
9. JUMP TO RECIPE

Fire up the grill—it’s time for huli huli chicken! 🍍🔥 This island favorite is all about big flavor: sweet pineapple, smoky char, and savory soy coming together in every juicy bite.

The marinade does the heavy lifting, leaving you with chicken that’s tender, sticky, and downright irresistible.

Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or hosting a backyard cookout, this recipe brings the aloha vibes with almost no effort.

Sweet brown sugar, zesty ginger, and bold garlic work together to give this huli huli chicken recipe its irresistible tropical flavor.

What you need to make huli huli chicken at home:

• 4-5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• ½ cup of packed light brown sugar
• ½ cup of ketchup
• ½ cup of light soy sauce
• ½ cup of pineapple juice (canned)
• 1 tablespoon of ginger paste (or minced fresh ginger)
• 1 tablespoon of garlic paste (or minced garlic)
• 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
• ½ teaspoon of cumin
• ½ teaspoon of coarse black pepper
• ½ teaspoon of paprika (smoked or sweet)
• Pineapple rings – 1 pineapple or 1 can of pineapple slices, drained
• ½ cup sliced green onions, for garnish

🍍 Substitute Pineapple Juice: Use fresh pineapple juice to really elevate the flavor, or use mango juice for a sweeter, tropical flavor in the marinade.

🌶️ Add Red Pepper Flakes: For a little kick, sprinkle red pepper flakes into the marinade before grilling.

🍗 Substitute Chicken Thighs: Swap chicken breasts for boneless thighs for extra juicy, flavorful meat. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.

🍶 Substitute Soy Sauce: Use teriyaki sauce for a richer, slightly sweeter taste in your chicken.

This grilled huli huli chicken recipe is as easy as mixing the marinade for the chicken. Simply cook the chicken on the grill, and you are then ready to enjoy it.

Let's get started:

FIRST STEP: Rinse chicken leg quarters and pat dry. 

SECOND STEP: In a large bowl or gallon-size Ziploc bag, combine all ingredients except for the chicken. Mix well.

THIRD STEP: Remove ½ cup of the marinade mixture and set aside for serving the chicken.

FOURTH STEP: To the remaining sauce, add the chicken thighs, mixing well so that all the chicken is submerged in the huli huli chicken sauce marinade.

FIFTH STEP: Cover or seal and place in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.

SIXTH STEP: Heat grill to medium-high heat (400°F).

SEVENTH STEP: Lightly brush the grates with oil.

EIGHTH STEP: Place the chicken on the heated grill. Cook for about 10 minutes without turning or moving. 

Flip and continue cooking until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F on a meat thermometer (about 10 minutes more). Discard the marinade that the chicken was in.

NINTH STEP: When the chicken is about halfway done cooking, add the pineapple rings to the grill and cook until golden on each side.

TENTH STEP: Remove everything from the grill. 

ELEVENTH STEP: Brush the reserved marinade over the chicken. You can place the chicken under the broiler for just a few minutes to thicken the sauce, or heat the reserved sauce in a small saucepan on the stove top to thicken it slightly and then brush it over the chicken.

Serve your Hawaiian huli huli marinated chicken with fluffy jasmine rice and roasted broccoli for a fresh, flavorful dinner everyone will love. The juicy chicken, fragrant rice, and vibrant veggies make a wholesome, satisfying meal.

For a fun twist, turn your chicken into sliders. Pile it onto toasted brioche buns with creamy coleslaw for an easy handheld bite. Or make a summer BBQ hit by creating a tropical sandwich—layer grilled chicken, pineapple rings, and crisp lettuce on soft Hawaiian sweet bread.

Love this flavor combo? Try our chicken with beer marinade or these juicy pineapple chicken kabobs for more grilled recipes packed with flavor.

🍍 The Best Grilled Chicken - Bold, juicy, and so easy to make!

🫕 Quick Prep and Simple Grilling Steps - Get dinner on the table fast without sacrificing flavor.

👋 Perfect When You’re Cooking for a Crowd - It's pretty effortless and great for a BBQ or cookouts.

Can I make huli huli chicken without a grill?
Yes, you can make it without a grill by cooking it in a hot skillet or using the oven broiler.

How do I prevent huli huli chicken from burning on the grill?
To prevent your chicken from burning, let excess marinade drip off before grilling and cook over medium heat.

Can I cook huli huli chicken indoors?
Yes, you can cook huli huli chicken indoors by using a grill pan, cast iron skillet, or baking it in the oven.

How do I know when huli huli chicken is fully cooked?
Chicken is fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F, which you can check with a meat thermometer.

What sides go well with huli huli chicken?
Huli huli chicken goes well with rice, grilled vegetables, or tropical fruit salsa for a fresh and balanced meal.

MAKE AHEAD: Mix the marinade in advance and keep it in the fridge. Be sure to add the chicken at least four hours before you’re ready to grill.

IN THE FRIDGE: Keep leftover huli huli chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days.

IN THE FREEZER: Freeze fresh chicken for up to one month. Do not refreeze chicken that was previously frozen.

REHEATING: Warm pineapple chicken on the grill, in the oven, or in the microwave until fully heated through.