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Huli Huli Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 66 reviews

Huli Huli Chicken is a flavorful Hawaiian-style grilled chicken dish featuring tender boneless skinless chicken thighs marinated in a sweet and tangy sauce made from pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, and aromatic spices. The chicken is traditionally grilled or broiled to achieve a caramelized glaze, often served with pineapple rings and garnished with green onions for a tropical touch.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 to 5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs

Marinade & Sauce

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

Garnish & Serving

  • 1 can sliced pineapple rings, drained (or 1 fresh pineapple, sliced)
  • ½ cup sliced green onions, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Marinade: In a large mixing bowl, combine the light brown sugar, ketchup, light soy sauce, pineapple juice, ginger paste, garlic paste, apple cider vinegar, cumin, black pepper, and paprika. Whisk together until the sugar has dissolved and ingredients are fully incorporated, creating a flavorful marinade.
  2. Marinate the Chicken: Add the boneless skinless chicken thighs to the marinade, ensuring each piece is well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the chicken to absorb all the tropical and savory flavors deeply.
  3. Preheat the Grill or Broiler: Prepare your grill for medium heat or preheat your oven’s broiler to high. Oil the grill grates or a broiler pan lightly to prevent sticking.
  4. Cook the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, reserving the excess marinade for basting. Grill the chicken thighs over medium heat for about 6 to 8 minutes per side, brushing occasionally with the reserved marinade to build up a sticky, caramelized glaze. Alternatively, place the chicken under the broiler on a lined broiler pan and cook, turning and basting frequently, until cooked through and nicely charred, about 6 to 10 minutes per side depending on thickness.
  5. Grill/Heat Pineapple Rings: During the last few minutes of cooking, place pineapple rings on the grill or broiler pan to warm and lightly caramelize, enhancing their natural sweetness and adding a subtle smoky flavor.
  6. Serve: Arrange the cooked chicken thighs on a platter with grilled pineapple rings on top or on the side. Garnish generously with sliced green onions for a fresh, vibrant finish. Serve hot, ideally with steamed rice or a light salad for a complete meal.

Notes

  • Marinating overnight will give the best flavor penetration and tenderness.
  • If grilling is not an option, broiling in the oven works very well to mimic the caramelized finish.
  • Use fresh pineapple if you prefer, but canned pineapple juice is convenient and imparts great flavor to the marinade.
  • Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of brown sugar if desired.
  • For a spicier twist, add a pinch of chili flakes or a small amount of hot sauce to the marinade.
  • Always cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.

Keywords: Huli Huli Chicken, Hawaiian chicken, grilled chicken, pineapple chicken, sweet and savory chicken, barbecue chicken, tropical chicken recipe

Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/huli-huli-chicken-recipe/