Description

This Grilled Huli Huli Chicken is a Hawaiian-inspired dish packed with sweet, savory, and smoky flavors. The chicken is marinated in a delicious blend of pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic, then grilled to juicy perfection. Perfect for BBQs, summer cookouts, or an easy weeknight dinner!

Ingredients

For the Marinade & Sauce:

1/2 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

For the Chicken:

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for grilling)
Sliced green onions & sesame seeds (for garnish

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Instructions

Make the marinade – In a bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Marinate the chicken – Place the chicken in a large zip-top bag or bowl. Pour in half of the marinade, reserving the other half for basting. Marinate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for the best flavor.
Preheat the grill – Set your grill to medium heat (375-400°F) and lightly oil the grates.
Grill the chicken – Remove chicken from the marinade and grill for 6-7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Baste while grilling – Brush the reserved marinade onto the chicken in the last few minutes of cooking to build layers of flavor.

Rest & serve – Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve with rice, grilled pineapple, or a fresh salad!

Notes

For extra caramelization, cook the reserved marinade on the stove for 5 minutes until slightly thickened, then use it as a glaze.
Grilled pineapple slices make the perfect side dish! Just brush them with a little oil and grill for 2-3 minutes per side.

Can be cooked on a stovetop grill pan if you don’t have an outdoor grill.