Description
Huli Huli Chicken is a flavorful Hawaiian dish featuring tender boneless skinless chicken thighs marinated in a tangy sweet sauce made from brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, pineapple juice, apple cider vinegar, ginger, and garlic. This recipe delivers a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors that make for a quick and easy dinner full of island vibes.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 3/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup pineapple juice
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh minced ginger
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
Chicken
- 4-5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, pineapple juice, apple cider vinegar, minced ginger, and minced garlic until the sugar is mostly dissolved and the mixture is well combined.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish and pour the marinade over the chicken. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or preferably overnight to allow the flavors to fully penetrate.
- Heat the Grill or Skillet: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat or heat a large skillet over medium-high on the stovetop. Lightly oil the grill grates or skillet to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, reserving the marinade for basting or sauce. Grill or pan-fry the chicken thighs for about 7-8 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the chicken is nicely caramelized and cooked through.
- Optional Sauce Reduction: While the chicken cooks, pour the reserved marinade into a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened to use as a basting sauce or drizzle over the cooked chicken.
- Serve: Transfer the cooked chicken to a serving platter. Optionally, brush with the reduced marinade sauce for extra flavor. Serve immediately with your favorite sides like steamed rice or grilled vegetables.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken overnight for the best flavor infusion.
- If grilling, watch carefully to avoid burning the sugar in the marinade.
- You can substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts but reduce cooking time accordingly.
- To keep it gluten free, use gluten free soy sauce or tamari.
- Leftover sauce should be boiled before serving to ensure food safety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7 oz
- Calories: 401 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 652 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0.1 g
- Protein: 59 g
- Cholesterol: 287 mg
