Tasty Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken: Sweet, Smoky, and Perfectly Glazed

Hawaiian cuisine is known for its irresistible balance of sweetness, savoriness, and tropical flavor — and Huli Huli Chicken is one of the most iconic dishes to come from the islands. Juicy chicken marinated in a blend of pineapple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, ginger, and garlic, then grilled until caramelized and smoky… it’s the kind of recipe that makes memories at backyard cookouts, potlucks, beach gatherings, and weeknight dinners.

Tasty Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken brings all those flavors together in a simple, accessible recipe that anyone can make. Whether you grill it, bake it, or cook it indoors on a stovetop grill pan, the result is always mouthwateringly delicious.

This full recipe guide includes the history of huli huli chicken, preparation tips, ingredient breakdown, best side dishes, variations, storage tips, and the complete JSON package formatted for your recipe system. No fillers, no placeholders — just the real deliciousness.

What Is Huli Huli Chicken?

Huli Huli Chicken originated in Hawaii in the 1950s when Ernest Morgado created a marinade using pineapple juice and soy sauce for grilled chicken at a gathering. It was so popular that it became a statewide staple and eventually a global favorite.

“Huli” means “turn” in Hawaiian — referencing the way the chicken was turned repeatedly on large rotisseries while being basted with sweet glaze.

The flavors that define Huli Huli Chicken:

• Sweet pineapple
• Savory soy
• Tangy ketchup
• Aromatic ginger and garlic
• A smoky grilled finish

This perfect harmony is what makes Huli Huli Chicken famous.

Why This Recipe Works

1. The marinade tenderizes the chicken

Pineapple juice contains enzymes that naturally tenderize meat, especially chicken.

2. Brown sugar caramelizes beautifully

Creates glossy, sticky, perfectly charred edges.

3. Ketchup adds classic Hawaiian barbecue tang

A signature ingredient — don’t skip it.

4. High heat grilling replicates traditional huli huli flavor

You get a smoky, sweet crust without complicated equipment.

5. Works for thighs or breasts

But thighs stay juicier and more flavorful.

Ingredients (Printable List)

Chicken

• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)

Huli Huli Marinade

• ½ cup pineapple juice
• ⅓ cup soy sauce
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• Optional: ½–1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Optional: 1 tablespoon honey for extra glaze

For Garnish

• Sliced green onions
• Pineapple chunks or grilled pineapple

Instructions

1. Make the Marinade

Whisk pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes until smooth.

2. Marinate the Chicken

Place chicken in a bag or bowl, pour in the marinade, and refrigerate at least 2 hours — ideally 6–8 hours for maximum flavor.

3. Prepare Grill

Heat grill to medium-high (around 400°F).

4. Grill the Chicken

Remove chicken, pat lightly dry, and grill:

• 6–7 minutes per side for thighs
• 5–6 minutes per side for breasts

Brush with extra marinade during cooking for glossy caramelization (optional but delicious).

5. Finish and Serve

Once cooked through, let rest 3 minutes. Serve with green onions and pineapple chunks.

Tasty Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken

A sweet, smoky, pineapple-infused Hawaiian grilled chicken marinated in a classic Huli Huli glaze for irresistible tropical flavor.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Marinating Time 3 hours hrs

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dinner, Main

Cuisine: Hawaiian, Tropical

Calories: 310

Ingredients

  

Chicken

• 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts

Huli Huli Marinade

• 0.5 cup pineapple juice
• 0.33 cup soy sauce
• 0.33 cup brown sugar
• 0.25 cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger grated
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• red pepper flakes optional

Garnish

• green onions sliced
• pineapple chunks optional

Equipment

• Mixing bowl
• Grill or grill pan
• Tongs
• Marinating container or bag

Method

 

1. Whisk pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes to form the marinade.
2. Add chicken to a bowl or bag and pour marinade over it. Refrigerate 2–8 hours.
3. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
4. Grill chicken 6–7 minutes per side or until cooked through, brushing with marinade if desired.
5. Let rest 3 minutes, then garnish with green onions and pineapple.

Notes

For extra caramelization, brush chicken with glaze during last 2 minutes of grilling.

How to Bake Instead of Grill

Bake at 400°F for 22–25 minutes, brushing with extra marinade halfway.

Best Sides for Huli Huli Chicken

Classic Hawaiian Pairings

• Hawaiian macaroni salad
• Steamed white rice
• Coconut rice
• Grilled pineapple slices
• Pineapple salsa
• Sweet rolls

Vegetable Sides

• Grilled zucchini
• Stir-fried vegetables
• Asian-inspired slaw

Flavor Variations

1. Spicy Huli Huli Chicken

Add sriracha, gochujang, or extra red pepper flakes.

2. Smoky BBQ Huli Huli

Add 1 tablespoon smoked paprika.

3. Extra Pineapple Sweet

Replace half the soy sauce with additional pineapple juice.

4. Low-Sodium Version

Use low-sodium soy sauce and reduce sugar.

Storage & Meal Prep Tips

Refrigerator

Store for 3–4 days.

Freezer

Freeze cooked chicken up to 3 months.

Reheating

Best reheated in a skillet with a splash of pineapple juice.