Grilled Huli Huli Chicken Recipe features tender chicken marinated in a sweet and savory pineapple-based sauce, then grilled to perfection this dish serves 6, takes about 30 minutes of grilling, and delivers a tropical burst of flavor in every bite.
🤎 Why You’ll Love This Grilled Huli Huli Chicken Recipe
- Burst of Tropical Flavor: The combination of pineapple juice, soy sauce, and ginger creates a delicious sweet-and-savory glaze for the chicken.
- Quick and Easy: Simple ingredients and easy preparation make this recipe ideal for weeknight dinners or outdoor gatherings.
- Healthy and Nutritious: Grilled Huli Huli Chicken is high in protein, low in fat, and uses wholesome ingredients for a balanced meal.
- Perfect for Grilling Season: This recipe is tailored for grilling, making it a go-to dish for summer cookouts and picnics.
- Beautiful Presentation: The caramelized glaze and green onion garnish make this dish as visually appealing as it is delicious.
❓ What Is Grilled Huli Huli Chicken Recipe?
Grilled Huli Huli Chicken Recipe is a Hawaiian-inspired dish featuring chicken marinated in a sweet and savory pineapple glaze. Grilled to perfection, this recipe delivers juicy, flavorful chicken with a hint of smoky caramelization that everyone will enjoy.
🍗 Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions (for garnish)
🍲 Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. Whisk until the sugar is dissolved.
- Place the chicken in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring it is fully coated. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for the best flavor.
- Preheat your grill to medium heat (about 375°F). Oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and reserve the marinade for basting.
- Grill the chicken for 6-8 minutes per side, basting frequently with the reserved marinade, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot.
📍 Recipe Tips
- Reserve Marinade for Basting: Always set aside a portion of the marinade before adding the raw chicken to ensure safe basting during grilling.
- Control the Grill Heat: Keep the grill at medium heat to avoid burning the marinade’s sugars while ensuring the chicken cooks through evenly.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: Check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it reaches 165°F for safe consumption. This also prevents overcooking and dryness.
- Opt for Dark Meat for Juiciness: While chicken breasts are lean, thighs are more forgiving during grilling and stay juicy with less risk of overcooking.
- Add Smoky Flavor: Use a charcoal grill or add wood chips to your gas grill to infuse a subtle smoky flavor into the Grilled Huli Huli Chicken.
🍚 What To Serve With Grilled Huli Huli Chicken?
Serve Lemon Chicken with sides like rice pilaf, roasted asparagus, or garlic mashed potatoes add a simple green salad or crusty bread to round out the meal and soak up the delicious lemon sauce.
🎚 How To Store Leftover Grilled Huli Huli Chicken?
- Refrigeration: Store leftover grilled huli huli chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the glaze alongside to maintain moisture and flavor.
- Freezing: Freeze leftover grilled huli huli chicken in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
🥵 How To Reheat Leftover Grilled Huli Huli Chicken?
- In The Oven: Preheat the oven to 325°F place leftover grilled huli huli chicken in a baking dish cover with foil and heat for 3-5 minutes, adding a splash of reserved marinade for moisture.
- In The Stovetop: Heat a skillet over medium heat add leftover grilled huli huli chicken with a bit of marinade or water and heat until warmed through for up 2-4 minutes turning occasionally.
FAQs
How do I achieve a perfect caramelized glaze on Grilled Huli Huli Chicken?
To achieve a perfect caramelized glaze on Grilled Huli Huli Chicken, grill the chicken over medium heat and baste it frequently with the reserved marinade. Avoid high heat to prevent burning the sugars in the sauce.
Can I grill Grilled Huli Huli Chicken on skewers?
Yes, you can cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and grill it on skewers. This makes Grilled Huli Huli Chicken easier to handle and perfect for serving at parties or gatherings.
Do I need to baste Grilled Huli Huli Chicken while cooking?
Basting Grilled Huli Huli Chicken with reserved marinade during cooking enhances the flavor and creates a caramelized glaze. Be sure to use marinade that has not been in contact with raw chicken.
What is the origin of Grilled Huli Huli Chicken?
Grilled Huli Huli Chicken originated in Hawaii and was traditionally cooked on rotisserie grills. It became popular as a flavorful fundraiser meal in the mid-20th century.
How do I know when Grilled Huli Huli Chicken is fully cooked?
Use a meat thermometer to check that Grilled Huli Huli Chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part. Alternatively, slice into the chicken to ensure the juices run clear.
Grilled Huli Huli Chicken Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 280
- Protein: 35g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
- Sodium: 600mg
- Vitamin C: 20%
- Iron: 6%
Grilled Huli Huli Chicken Recipe
Description
Grilled Huli Huli Chicken Recipe features tender chicken marinated in a sweet and savory pineapple-based sauce, then grilled to perfection this dish serves 6, takes about 30 minutes of grilling, and delivers a tropical burst of flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. Whisk until the sugar is dissolved.
- Place the chicken in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring it is fully coated. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for the best flavor.
- Preheat your grill to medium heat (about 375°F). Oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and reserve the marinade for basting.
- Grill the chicken for 6-8 minutes per side, basting frequently with the reserved marinade, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot.