Huli Huli chicken is a Hawaiian favorite with juicy chicken thighs and a sweet, tangy pineapple-soy glaze. Grilled until caramelized and smoky, it’s BBQ with a tropical twist!

Close up of grilled Hawaiian huli huli chicken with garnish.

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Huli Huli Chicken is a Hawaiian favorite made with chicken marinated in a sweet and tangy pineapple-soy sauce, then grilled until caramelized and smoky. It’s a tropical twist on classic BBQ grilled chicken and easy enough for beginners!

Why I Love This Recipe

  • Unforgettable flavor: Soy sauce, pineapple juice, and ginger give this Hawaiian tropical chicken its signature sweet-savory taste.
    Versatile and simple: Great on the grill or in a grill pan, this easy dinner pairs perfectly with rice!

Ingredients

Huli Huli chicken ingredients on the counter.

How to Make Huli Huli Chicken

Whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. Add chicken thighs to the marinade and chill for at least 2 hours (or overnight for best flavor).

Chicken with marinade in a ziplock bag.

Preheat grill to medium heat. Cook chicken for 6–7 minutes per side, basting with extra marinade until caramelized and done. Let chicken rest a few minutes, then slice and serve.

Grilling huli huli chicken on the grill.

Recipe Tips

  • Marinate overnight: For the best flavor, let chicken soak in the marinade overnight.
  • Save extra marinade: Set aside 1/2 cup of marinade before adding the chicken. Use it for basting during grilling or as a sauce.
  • Use any cut of chicken: This recipe works with bone-in thighs, boneless thighs, or chicken breasts. Adjust the cooking time and check that the internal temp reaches 165°F.
  • Avoid fresh pineapple juice: Fresh pineapple contains enzymes that can break down the chicken too much and lead to a mushy texture. Use canned juice instead.

Serving Suggestions

Complement this dish with sides like Hawaiian fruit salad, pineapple fried rice, macaroni salad, potato salad, or coconut rice.

Don’t forget the Hawaiian rolls for a well-rounded meal.

Huli Huli chicken with pineapple and rice.

More Hawaiian dishes include grilled pineapple salsa, Hawaiian fruit salad and this Hawaiian meatballs recipe.

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Huli Huli chicken with pineapple.

Huli Huli Chicken

5 from 4 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Marinate: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 6
Huli Huli chicken is a Hawaiian favorite with juicy chicken thighs and a sweet, tangy pineapple-soy glaze. Grilled until caramelized and smoky, it's BBQ with a tropical twist!
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Video

Ingredients 

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs , or breasts
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Huli Huli Sauce

  • ¾ cup canned pineapple juice , do not use fresh
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar
  • ⅓ cup ketchup
  • ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons fresh ginger , can use the cubes
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil

For serving: rice, grilled pineapple, green onions

Instructions

  • Marinade: In a mixing bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup canned pineapple juice, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1/3 cup ketchup, 1/3 cup soy sauce, 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, 2 teaspoons minced garlic, 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar and 1 Tablespoon sesame oil. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the sauce for basting. Place the chicken in a large zip-top bag and pour the remaining sauce over it.
  • Refrigerate: Seal the bag and place in a bowl or pan. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or up to overnight.
  • Preheat: When you're ready to cook, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from the fridge and set on a plate 15 minutes, prior to grilling. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Grill: Grill the chicken for about 6-7 minutes per side, or until charred and cooked to 165°F. During the last few minutes of grilling, baste the chicken with the reserved sauce.
  • Serve: Wrap the chicken with foil and allow to rest 5 minutes before serving. Serve while warm with rice and pineapple.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Sauce: With the extra sauce you can simmer it down on the stove top 

Nutrition

Calories: 197kcal, Carbohydrates: 21g, Protein: 16g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 72mg, Sodium: 702mg, Potassium: 333mg, Fiber: 0.2g, Sugar: 18g, Vitamin A: 88IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 29mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

FAQs

Can I bake it instead?

Yes, baking it in the oven is an excellent alternative if grilling isn’t an option. Bake the chicken at 375°F for 30-35 minutes until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Make sure you baste it every few minutes to keep the meat juicy and tender.

How can I store Hawaiian huli huli chicken?

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it a fantastic option for meal prep.