Description
This Huli Huli Chicken recipe delivers a sweet, tangy, and savory Hawaiian-inspired grilled chicken. Marinated in a flavorful blend of brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, pineapple juice, apple cider vinegar, ginger, and garlic, the chicken thighs turn tender and juicy with a caramelized glaze. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or a special gathering, this recipe brings a taste of the islands to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 3/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup pineapple juice
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh minced ginger
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
Chicken
- 4-5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, pineapple juice, apple cider vinegar, minced ginger, and minced garlic until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is fully combined.
- Marinate the chicken: Place the boneless skinless chicken thighs into a large resealable plastic bag or container. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Seal and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, ideally overnight, to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
- Preheat the grill: When ready to cook, preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 375-400°F). Remove the chicken from the marinade and let any excess drip off. Reserve the marinade for basting.
- Grill the chicken: Place the chicken thighs on the grill and cook for 6-8 minutes per side, turning once, until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. During the last few minutes of grilling, baste the chicken with the reserved marinade to create a flavorful glaze.
- Rest and serve: Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute for a moist, tender bite.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken in the morning to save time in the evening and maximize flavor absorption.
- If you don’t have a grill, you can broil the chicken in the oven or cook it in a grill pan on the stovetop.
- Ensure the reserved marinade is boiled for a few minutes if you plan to use it as a finishing sauce to eliminate any raw chicken bacteria.
- Adjust sweetness by reducing or increasing the brown sugar according to your taste preference.
- Serve with steamed rice and grilled vegetables for a complete Hawaiian-inspired meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7 oz
- Calories: 401 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 652 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0.1 g
- Protein: 59 g
- Cholesterol: 287 mg
