Huli Huli Chicken

Huli Huli chicken is a wholesome rendition of a sweet and savory succulence that’ll transport you to the sandy beaches of Hawaii in every bite!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Hawaiian

Keyword How Do I Make Huli Huli Chicken, How To Make Huli Huli Chicken, Huli Huli Chicken, Huli Huli Chicken Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Marinade Time 1

Total Time 25

Servings people

Calories 1132kcal

Author Kathleen

In a medium mixing bowl, add dark brown sugar (1 cup), ketchup (1 cup), fresh ginger (3 teaspoons), and garlic (4). Whisk in soy sauce (3/4 cup), pineapple juice (1 cup), and sherry (1/4 cup) until well combined and brown sugar is dissolved.
Remove and reserve 1 cup of the marinade. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to grill the chicken. This will be your basting sauce.
Place chicken (4 pounds) in a 1-gallon resealable plastic bag. Pour marinade into the bag. Remove excess air, seal the bag, place on a rimmed baking sheet, and refrigerate for 24 hours,
Heat the grill to medium.
Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade in plastic bags.
Grill chicken on oiled grates:
For Chicken Boneless Thighs: Grill for about 5-8 minutes per side, basting each side before flipping with reserved marinade, or until an instant-read thermometer reads 165ºF (74ºC).
For Chicken Boneless Breast: Grill for about 4-6 minutes per side, basting each side before flipping with reserved marinade, or until an instant-read thermometer reads 165ºF (74ºC).

Don’t Forget!: You’ll want to reserve a cup of the marinade to use for basting as you’re grilling up this little bit of tropical paradise. It really sets off the flavor bells and helps whisk you away to the land of tiki torches with every bite.
Timing: Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room – the marinade time. I know that 24 hours seems like a long time, but your taste buds will appreciate your cooperation here. Besides the awesome flavor imparted by the pineapple, it also helps tenderize the meat into juicy succulent submission.
Cooking Times:
General– Whichever cut of meat you select, remember that your grilling time will vary based on the exact temperature your grill is cooking at, the distance your grates are from the heat, and the size and thickness of the pieces of meat you use.
- Chicken Thighs– Small chicken thighs generally grill up in 10 minutes overall, and larger thighs grill up in about 12 minutes overall or until an instant-read thermometer registers 165ºF (74ºC).
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless chicken breast is one of the easiest pieces of meat to overcook, so take care!
Thinner chicken breast generally grills up in 8 minutes overall,l and larger, thicker breasts grill up in about 12-14 minutes overall or until an instant-read thermometer registers 165ºF (74ºC).