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Huli Huli Grilled Chicken is a must-try dish! The marinade comes together quickly and is bursting with incredible flavor. It’s so good, you’ll find yourself making it over and over!
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I couldn’t be more thrilled because grilling season is almost here! Grilling really brings out the best in food, so be sure to try some of my favorites: chicken, asparagus, and shrimp!
Scrumptious Huli Huli Chicken Recipe
I’ve wanted to make this Huli Huli Chicken for years, and I can’t believe I waited this long. We loved it so much that we ended up grilling it three nights in a row! Originating in Hawaii, Huli Huli has become a popular restaurant staple, and now you can recreate it at home. When my husband took his first bite, he said it tasted just like our favorite restaurant’s version. It’s honestly one of the best dishes we’ve ever grilled.
The marinade comes together effortlessly with a handful of ingredients and delivers mind-blowing flavor. I let the chicken soak in it overnight, ensuring every bite is infused with deliciousness. Be sure to reserve some sauce for basting, as it beautifully clings to the chicken during grilling. In our home, grilling is a passion, and this recipe deserves a prime spot on your list! It pairs perfectly with our beloved pineapple recipe. This is undoubtedly a five-star dish that you’ll find yourself craving repeatedly. We can’t wait to fire up the grill and enjoy it all over again!
Here’s What You’ll Need for Grilled Huli Huli Chicken
All the ingredients are readily available at your local grocery store; just be sure to pick up fresh ginger from the produce aisle.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs: They are ideal for this dish as they remain juicy and flavorful, unlike chicken breasts which may dry out during grilling.
- Unsweetened Pineapple Juice: Typically available in the canned fruit aisle or the juice section of your local grocery store.
- Soy sauce: You can opt for low-sodium soy sauce if you prefer.
- Brown Sugar: This ingredient helps caramelize the chicken, imparting a rich, delightful flavor.
- Ketchup: It brings both depth and a touch of sweetness to the dish.
- Chicken Broth: Enhances the marinade’s flavor; opt for low sodium if you prefer.
- Freshly Grated Ginger Root: You can typically spot ginger in the produce aisle of your local supermarket.
- Minced Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is ideal, but feel free to use jarred if you want to save a little time.
- Green Onions: Slice them up for a tasty garnish!
Let’s Whip Up Some Grilled Chicken!
Super simple and easy, but big on flavor, this is going to become a staple in your grilling rotations.
Mix It Up: Grab a medium-sized bowl and whisk together the pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, chicken broth, ginger, and garlic. Don’t to set aside a cup of this tasty sauce for basting later! Pop the chicken thighs and the rest of the marinade into a ziplock bag, then let it soak in all those yummy flavors for at least 3 hours or overnight.
Fire Up the Grill: Pop the chicken on the grill, cover it up, and let it cook over medium heat for about 6-8 minutes on each side until perfectly done. Don’t forget to brush on some of that yummy reserved marinade in the last 5 minutes. If you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle some green onions on top for a tasty finish!


Top Tips for Perfect Huli Huli Grilled Chicken
With all grilled foods there are some do’s and don’ts to make sure it is the best tasting chicken you have ever had.
When it comes to choosing chicken for grilling, it really makes a difference! You definitely want your chicken to be juicy and delicious, not dry. The goal is to cook to 165 degrees without losing that precious moisture. Chicken thighs are a great choice because they’re dark meat, meaning they’re naturally juicier and have a little extra fat to keep things tasty. If you prefer using chicken breasts, just make sure to pound them to the same thickness so that they cook evenly. Also, take them off the grill when they hit about 162 degrees; they’ll keep cooking a bit while resting. Enjoy your perfectly grilled chicken!
Give Your Chicken a Little Break: Once it’s done cooking, let your chicken take a breather! This helps lock in all that juicy goodness and keeps the flavors right where belong — inside the chicken, not on your plate. This trick works for any grilled meat. Just cover it with foil and let it relax for about 10 minutes.
Marinade: Be sure to set aside some marinade for basting once the chicken is on the grill. Remember to avoid using the marinade the raw chicken was in, as it can spread bacteria and possibly lead to food poisoning. Stay safe and enjoy your delicious meal!
No grill? No problem! You can still savor this amazing dish by baking the chicken in the oven at 400°F for 20 minutes or cooking it in a pan on the stovetop.

Popular Sides For Huli Huli Chicken
Grilled main dishes are perfect for spring and summer! Pair them with sides that not only complement your meal but also celebrate the season. Check out these trusty recipes that are sure to shine alongside your Huli Huli Chicken.
One of our top picks is to pair this with some delicious grilled pineapple, a side of rice, and a medley of stir-fried veggies.
Whip up a big batch and bring it to a potluck, pairing it with delightful sides like Summer Corn Salad, Bacon Ranch Pasta, or Tuscan Pasta Salad.
Serve up some fresh fruit and veggies with your favorite dip to keep things light and refreshing!
Add some excitement to your gathering with a selection of delicious appetizers or side dishes! You can’t go wrong with crowd-pleasers like Vegetable Egg Rolls, Easy Cream Cheese Wons, and Fried Rice.
Making the Most of Your Huli Huli Leftovers
I absolutely adore this recipe because you can make a big batch, and the leftovers are amazing! It’s like the flavor gets even better the next day.
- Keep your leftovers fresh by covering them tightly and storing them in the fridge, where they’ll last for up to 4 days. If you’d like to save some for later, pop the chicken into a freezer-safe bag, and it’ll keep for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, just thaw it overnight in the fridge.
- Why not jazz up your favorite salads with leftovers? Try adding them to a Broccoli Ramen Salad or toss them into a Buddha Bowl for a tasty twist!
Grilled Huli Huli Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 pounds of boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 cup of pineapple juice unsweetened
- ½ cup of soy sauce
- ½ cup of brown sugar
- ⅓ cup of ketchup
- ¼ cup of chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons of freshly grated ginger
- 1 ½ teaspoons of minced garlic
- sliced green onions for topping
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup of unsweetened pineapple juice, ½ cup of soy sauce, ½ cup of brown sugar, ⅓ cup of ketchup, ¼ cup of chicken broth, 2 teaspoons of freshly grated ginger, and 1 ½ teaspoons of minced garlic, whisking together thoroughly.
- Set aside 1 cup of the sauce for basting, and combine the remaining sauce with 4 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs in a ziplock bag for marination. Allow it to marinate for at least 3 hours or, for best results, overnight.
- Once the marination process is complete, set your grill to medium heat. Cook the chicken with the lid closed for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the chicken is no longer pink and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. In the last 5 minutes, occasionally baste the chicken with the reserved marinade. If you wish, garnish with sliced green onions before serving.
Notes
- Calories: 330 kcal
- Total Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
- Sodium: 650mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 12g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 10g
- Protein: 30g
- Vitamin A: 10% DV
- Vitamin C: 15% DV
- Calcium: 4% DV
- Iron: 10% DV