Description
Make genuine Huli Huli Chicken using a traditional sweet and savory pineapple glaze, grilled until perfectly charred.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 lbs chicken pieces (thighs and drumsticks recommended)
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup pineapple chunks (for basting)
Instructions
- Combine pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, ginger, rice vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper in a bowl. Whisk until the sugar dissolves to create the marinade/glaze.
- Place the chicken in a large resealable bag or shallow dish. Pour half of the marinade over the chicken, reserving the other half for basting later.
- Marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight.
- Prepare your grill for medium heat (about 350°F). If using charcoal, use hardwood for authentic flavor.
- Remove chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off. Discard the used marinade.
- Grill the chicken over medium heat. Turn the chicken frequently (this is the ‘Huli Huli’ or ‘turn turn’ action) every 3 to 5 minutes to prevent burning.
- After the first 10 minutes of grilling, begin basting the chicken with the reserved fresh marinade every time you turn it.
- Continue grilling and basting until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the chicken has a deep, sticky glaze, about 20 to 25 minutes total cooking time.
- During the last 5 minutes, place pineapple chunks directly on the grill grates to caramelize slightly.
- Serve the chicken immediately with the grilled pineapple chunks.
Notes
- For the most authentic flavor, use a charcoal grill and add a few wood chips soaked in water during grilling.
- If you do not have a grill, you can bake the chicken at 400°F for 35 minutes, basting every 10 minutes, then broil for the last 2 minutes to achieve char.
- The glaze thickens as it cooks; watch carefully during the last few turns to prevent the sugar from burning.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 28
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 35
- Cholesterol: 110