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Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken

This iconic Hawaiian BBQ dish features tender grilled chicken marinated in a sweet, savory blend of pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. Repeatedly basted and grilled to perfection, Huli Huli Chicken is smoky, juicy, and bursting with tropical flavor — perfect for summer cookouts, luau parties, or weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course BBQ, Main Course
Cuisine American BBQ, Hawaiian, Pacific Island
Servings 4
Calories 310 kcal

Equipment

  • Grill (charcoal or gas) or oven/air fryer
  • Large mixing bowl or zip-top bag
  • Tongs and basting brush
  • Meat thermometer
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Baking tray (if oven-roasting)

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken:

  • 2.5–3 lbs chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on preferred)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Marinade:

  • 1 cup pineapple juice (100% juice)
  • ½ cup soy sauce
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar (or honey)
  • ⅓ cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons fresh grated ginger
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • Optional: 1 tsp sesame oil, chili flakes, or Worcestershire sauce

For Serving (Optional):

  • Grilled pineapple slices
  • Fresh cilantro or green onions
  • Lime wedges

Instructions
 

Prepare the Marinade:

  • In a bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, ginger, and garlic. Set aside ½ cup of marinade for basting later.

Marinate the Chicken:

  • Place chicken in a bowl or zip-top bag. Pour in remaining marinade, coat well, and refrigerate for 4–12 hours (overnight is best).

Preheat Grill or Oven:

  • Set grill to medium-high. For oven, preheat to 400°F. Oil grates or line a baking tray.

Grill the Chicken:

  • Remove chicken from marinade and pat dry. Grill over indirect heat, turning every 3–4 minutes, basting often with reserved marinade. Cook until internal temp reaches 165°F (or 175°F for thighs).

Oven Method (Alternative):

  • Bake for 35–40 minutes, basting once halfway. Broil 2–3 minutes at end for charred edges.

Rest & Serve:

  • Let chicken rest 5–10 minutes. Garnish with grilled pineapple, lime, or herbs if desired.

Notes

  • Don’t skip marinating — it makes or breaks the flavor.
  • For food safety, never reuse marinade that touched raw meat unless boiled.
  • Charcoal grills give the most authentic smoky Hawaiian flavor.
  • You can freeze uncooked marinated chicken for up to 2 months.
Keyword easy chicken marinade, Hawaiian grilled chicken, Huli Huli Chicken, luau chicken, pineapple soy marinade, summer grill chicken, sweet and savory chicken, tropical BBQ recipe