Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken
This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.
Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken! Tender chicken thighs are marinated in a sweet and tangy, ketchup and soy-based sauce, then cooked on the grill for an added light char.
Pair it with jasmine rice and pineapple to build the perfect, simple summer meal!
What is Huli Huli Chicken?
Authentic huli huli chicken is usually made with a whole chicken or larger chicken portions and is cooked on a grill filled with mesquite wood, and it is cooked on splits.
Itโs rotated while cooking and basted in a sweet, teriyaki-like, huli huli sauce. It was first created over 70 years ago and has been a popular Hawaiian favorite ever since!
Did you know the word โhuliโ means โturnโ in Hawaiian? Itโs like a Hawaiian rotisserie chicken dish!
If youโve enjoyed molokai chicken or Kilauea chicken, try this copycat Hawaiian Bros Honolulu chicken recipe!
An Easier Recipe
This version is simplified, skipping out on any special equipment and using pre-cut and trimmed chicken thighs.
Itโs marinated to infuse flavor and is basted with some of the reserved marinade for even more savory flavors with a tropical twist.
Itโs a delicious chicken recipe thatโs set to impress! It doesnโt require much effort, yet it has a fantastic flavor!
Huli Huli Chicken Ingredients
- Ketchup: Preferably use one without corn syrup.
- Soy sauce: I like to use low-sodium soy sauce, but if you like things on the salty side, you can use standard soy sauce.
- Brown sugar: You could use a blend of half brown sugar and half honey if preferred.
- Rice vinegar: I love the balance of sweet and tangy, so I use vinegar in the marinade. You can substitute another mild vinegar, like apple cider vinegar.
- Sriracha: Not an authentic ingredient, but I love a light kick. You can omit if preferred.
- Worcestershire sauce: Another ingredient thatโs not so traditional in an authentic marinade, but it adds a nice background flavor.
- Sesame oil: I start with a small amount because this is a pretty potent ingredient, but feel free to add more to taste.
- Garlic: Stick with fresh garlic cloves.
- Ginger: Only use fresh ginger.
- Chicken thighs: I like to use boneless, skinless thighs here; they cook faster (and who wants the skin left on if itโs not going to be crispy anyway?).
- Pineapple Juice (optional): Consider adding this tropical juice to the marinade or to spritz meat during the grilling for especially juicy chicken.
How to Make Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken and Marinade
- Mix marinade ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the mouthwatering blend of ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sriracha, Worcestershire, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Remove 1/4 cup of the Hawaiian barbecue sauce marinade to a bowl and refrigerate.
- Pour marinade over chicken: Place chicken in a medium bowl or gallon-size resealable bag. Pour remaining brown sugar sauce marinade over chicken, then toss to coat, then press down into the marinade. Seal the bag if using a bag.
- Rest in refrigerator: Transfer to refrigerator and let marinate at least 2 hours and up to 8 hours.
- Cook and garnish: Cook as noted below, then serve warm, garnished with green onions if desired.
Whatโs the best way to grease grill grates?
To grill grates, itโs actually not safe to just grease with cooking spray or drizzle with oil; instead:
- Soak a ball of paper towels with some vegetable oil (just enough to saturate lightly).
- Hold the ball up paper towel using long tongs.
- Rub over cleaned grill grates.
How to Cook on the Grill
- Prepare grill: Preheat a gas grill over medium heat. Clean and grease grill grates.
- Place chicken on the grill: Place chicken pieces on the grill, leaving space around each. Cover with a lid.
- Cook through, basting occasionally: Turning and basting with reserved 1/4 cup marinade occasionally, until it reaches 165 degrees in the center, approximately 15 minutes.
- Note: If the chicken isnโt browning enough, you can increase the heat near the end of grilling.
Baked Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken
You can still get the flavors of the tropics even if you donโt finish this delicious recipe on the grill.
- Heat oven: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Place chicken on rack on baking sheet: Place marinated chicken on an oven-safe, greased cooling rack set over a foil-lined 18 by 13-inch baking sheet.
- Bake to cook through: Cook chicken thighs until they reach 165 degrees in the center (about 30 โ 35 minutes), basting with the reserved 1/4 cup marinade during the last 10 minutes.
- Note: If needed, tent chicken with foil to reduce excess browning or prevent drying out. If not browned to your liking, you can broil briefly near the end of cook time.
Can I Use Chicken Breasts?
Yes. Smaller chicken breasts will work great here, too. Just be sure to monitor the temp for doneness (they cook a bit faster). You want to cook them just right to 165 degrees in the center, otherwise, theyโll start to dry out.
What to Serve with Grilled Huli Huli Chicken
- Macaroni Salad
- Coleslaw
- Plain white rice, sticky rice, or Coconut Rice
- Roasted Cabbage
- Grilled Corn on the Cob or mini grilled peppers
- Pineapple Cake
More Hawaiian Style Recipes to Try
Follow Cooking Classy
Huli Huli Chicken
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar*
- 2 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 Tbsp sriracha (optional)
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil, or more to taste
- 1 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 1/2 Tbsp peeled and minced fresh ginger
- 3 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of visible fat (about 9 pieces)
- Vegetable oil (or olive oil) for brushing grill grates
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl whisk together ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sriracha, Worcestershire, sesame oil, garlic and ginger. Season with a little salt and pepper if preferred. Remove 1/4 cup of the marinade to a bowl and refrigerate.
- Place chicken in a medium bowl or gallon size resealable bag. Pour remaining marinade over chicken then toss to coat then press down into marinade. Seal bag while pressing out excess air (if using a bag).
- Transfer to refrigerator and let marinate at least 2 hours and up to 8 hours.
- Preheat a gas grill over medium heat. Clean grill grates and brush with vegetable oil.
- Grill chicken on preheated grill, turning and basting with reserved 1/4 cup marinade occasionally, until it reaches 165 degrees in center, approximately 15 minutes. If chicken isn't browning enough you can increase heat near the end of grilling.
- Serve warm garnished with green onions if desired. Optionally serve with coconut rice, fresh pineapple and grilled mini peppers.
Notes
- 2 1/2 Tbsp brown sugar and 2 1/2 Tbsp honey can be used if preferred.
- This same recipe will work great for 2 lbs of chicken thighs (6 thighs) if you only need 6 servings.
- Chicken breasts will work in place of chicken thighs. Use smaller ones (about 6 oz) and pound to an even thickness. Test temp in center to 165 for doneness.