This Huli Huli Chicken is an easy grilled chicken recipe made with a simple homemade marinade that delivers sweet, savory, and smoky flavor. It’s perfect for backyard BBQs, weekend cookouts, or an easy summer dinner.
When grilling season rolls around, I’m always looking for ways to keep chicken interesting, and this huli huli chicken is one of my kids’ favorites. The simple marinade comes together with just a handful of pantry ingredients, but it gives the chicken so much flavor with very little effort.
It’s perfect for backyard BBQs, cookouts, or easy, prep-ahead weeknight dinners. Pair it with rice, grilled vegetables, or your favorite summer side dishes for an easy meal that feels a little different from the usual grilled chicken.
Ingredient notes and substitutions
- Brown sugar: Light brown sugar or dark brown sugar will work. The marinade is meant to be sweet, but you can adjust the sweetness to fit your tastes.
- Pineapple juice: If you have fresh pineapple juice, you can use that. However, I use the individual small cans of pineapple juice that come in a 6 pack. I use some of the remaining pineapple juice to make Hawaiian rolls.
- Chicken: You can use bone in chicken breast or chicken thighs. If using bone-in, please adjust the cooking time accordingly as bone-in chicken takes longer.
How to make huli huli chicken
Here you’ll find instructions and step-by-step photos showing how to make this recipe. The full recipe, including ingredients, is given below.
Step 1: In a small bowl, mix the first 6 ingredients in a medium mixing bowl.
Step 2: Reserve 1 cup for basting; cover and refrigerate. Add the remaining marinade to a resealable container.
Step 3: Add the chicken and toss to coat in marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (8 hours is ideal).
Step 4: Remove chicken and discard the marinade that was with the chicken.
Step 5: Grill chicken, covered, on an oiled grate on a hot grill for 6-8 minutes on each side or until a thermometer inserted into chicken reads 165°F; baste occasionally with reserved marinade during the last 5 minutes.
Step 6: Let the chicken sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Recipe Tips!
- Serving suggestions: Serve the chicken with slices of grilled pineapple, rice, coleslaw Hawaiian rolls, or macaroni salad.
- Grill: If you don’t have a grill, you can use a grill pan on the stove.
- Marinate for the best flavor: Giving the chicken time to marinate helps it stay juicy and flavorful.
- Don’t overcook the chicken: Grill just until it reaches the proper internal temperature.
- Turn the chicken as needed: This helps prevent the sugars in the marinade from burning.
- Let the chicken rest: Resting for a few minutes helps keep it juicy.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 4 days when properly stored in the fridge.
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Huli Huli Chicken Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup ketchup
- ½ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup pineapple juice
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the first 6 ingredients in a medium mixing bowl.½ cup packed brown sugar, ½ cup ketchup, ½ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce, ¼ cup pineapple juice, 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger, 3 cloves garlic
- Reserve 1 cup for basting; cover and refrigerate.
- Add the remaining marinade to a resealable container.
- Add the chicken and toss to coat in marinade.2 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (8 hours is ideal).
- Remove chicken and discard the marinade that was with the chicken.
- Grill chicken, covered, on an oiled rack over medium heat for 6-8 minutes on each side or until a thermometer inserted into chicken reads 165°F; baste occasionally with reserved marinade during the last 5 minutes.
- Let the chicken sit for 5-10 minutes before serving with grilled pineapple, rice, or macaroni salad.
Notes
- Brown sugar: Light brown sugar or dark brown sugar will work. The marinade is meant to be sweet, but you can adjust the sweetness to fit your tastes.
- Pineapple juice: If you have fresh pineapple juice, you can use that. However, I use the individual small cans of pineapple juice that come in a 6 pack. I use some of the remaining pineapple juice to make Hawaiian rolls.
- Chicken: You can use bone in chicken breast or chicken thighs. If using bone-in, please adjust the cooking time accordingly as bone-in chicken takes longer.
- Nutrition values are estimates.
Nutrition
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