Huli Huli Chicken
A delicious authentic Hawaiian dish featuring chicken marinated in a sweet and savory sauce, perfect for summer barbecues or family dinners.
Ingredients
For the Marinade
- 120 ml soy sauce
- 100 g light brown sugar
- 60 ml ketchup
- 60 ml pineapple juice
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
For the Chicken
- 4 pieces chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 tablespoons green onions, finely chopped
- Fresh pineapple slices For garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, pineapple juice, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil until well combined.
- Place chicken thighs in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are coated. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight for optimal flavor.
Grilling
- Set the grill to medium heat to prepare for cooking.
- Remove chicken from the marinade and reserve the excess liquid. Grill chicken thighs for 6–7 minutes per side, basting occasionally with the reserved marinade. Continue grilling until the internal temperature reaches 75°C (165°F).
- While the chicken is grilling, pour the reserved marinade into a small saucepan and bring it to a boil.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water to form a slurry, then stir into the boiling marinade. Simmer until the glaze thickens and becomes glossy.
- During the final minutes of grilling, brush the thickened glaze over the chicken. Remove from heat, garnish with chopped green onions and fresh pineapple slices before serving.
Notes
Marinate the chicken overnight for the best flavor. Make sure the grill is preheated to ensure even cooking. Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken has reached a safe internal temperature. Feel free to add more spices or hot sauce to the marinade for an extra kick. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.