Why Make This Recipe
Huli Huli Chicken is a delicious and tropical dish that brings the flavors of Hawaii right to your kitchen. This recipe offers a perfect balance of sweet and savory, thanks to ingredients like pineapple juice and teriyaki sauce. Whether you’re hosting a barbecue or looking for a quick weeknight dinner, this dish is sure to impress your family and friends.
How to Make Huli Huli Chicken
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 1 cup teriyaki sauce
- 1 ripe pineapple, cut into circles
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- Chopped green onions
- Toasted sesame seeds
Directions:
-
Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine sesame oil, ginger, garlic, brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, and teriyaki sauce. Stir well to mix everything together.
-
Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken pieces in a dish or a zip bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, seal it up or cover it, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. For the best flavor, marinate overnight.
-
Grill the Chicken: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Take the chicken out from the marinade, but save the leftover liquid for brushing while grilling. Grill the chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side, brushing it with the extra marinade occasionally. Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
-
Grill the Pineapple: While the chicken cooks, place the pineapple rings on the grill. Cook each side for about 2-3 minutes until they are charred and smell sweet.
-
Serve the Dish: Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the grill. Lay out the grilled chicken, top it with grilled pineapple, and sprinkle chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds as desired.
How to Serve Huli Huli Chicken
Serve the Huli Huli Chicken hot off the grill. You can pair it with a side of steamed rice or a fresh salad to complete the meal. The grilled pineapple adds a wonderful touch of sweetness to the savory chicken, making it a delight for your taste buds.
How to Store Huli Huli Chicken
If you have any leftovers, let the chicken cool down, then place it in an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it in the microwave or on a skillet until it’s heated through.
Tips to Make Huli Huli Chicken
- Make sure to marinate the chicken for a longer time if you can. This helps to enhance the flavors.
- Always weigh the grilled chicken with a meat thermometer to ensure it is fully cooked.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of brown sugar according to your taste preferences for sweetness.
Variation
For a different flavor, you can use pork instead of chicken. Marinate it the same way, and it will come out juicy and flavorful as well.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, you can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Just remember that they might need slightly different cooking times.
Is there a vegetarian option for this recipe?
Yes! You can replace the chicken with firm tofu or portobello mushrooms. Just let them marinate and grill as you would the chicken.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can marinate the chicken the night before and grill it the next day for a quick and easy dinner.
Huli Huli Chicken
A delicious tropical dish featuring grilled chicken marinated in a sweet and savory blend of pineapple juice and teriyaki sauce, perfect for barbecues or quick weeknight dinners.
- Total Time: 135 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 1 cup teriyaki sauce
- 1 ripe pineapple, cut into circles
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- Chopped green onions
- Toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine sesame oil, ginger, garlic, brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, and teriyaki sauce. Stir well to mix everything together.
- Place the chicken pieces in a dish or a zip bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, seal it up or cover it, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 120 minutes.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, reserving the marinade for brushing. Grill the chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side, brushing with the marinade occasionally, until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- While grilling the chicken, place the pineapple rings on the grill and cook each side for about 2-3 minutes until charred.
- Serve the grilled chicken with the grilled pineapple, topped with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds as desired.
Notes
For best flavor, marinate the chicken overnight. Serve with steamed rice or a fresh salad. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 120 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 75mg