By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 26, 2023
This juicy, Hawaiian-inspired Huli Huli Chicken recipe needs to make an appearance at your next cookout! A sweet and tangy marinade packed with pineapple juice, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, brown sugar, and a few other ingredients infuses so much flavor into these chicken thighs. Just throw them on the grill for a few minutes and you’ll have tasty Huli chicken ready to go!
What’s in this Huli Huli Chicken Recipe?
A tangy, sweet, and sticky marinade coats tender grilled chicken thighs , creating an irresistible flavor that’ll have you coming back for seconds.
- Pineapple Juice: Adds a sweet and tangy flavor to the marinade, and the citric acid helps tenderize the chicken.
- Soy Sauce: Adds a savory and umami flavor to the marinade.
- Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness, and helps caramelize the chicken as it cooks.
- Ketchup: Adds a touch of acidity, sweetness, and tomato flavor to the marinade.
- Chicken Broth : Adds moisture to the marinade, and helps infuse the chicken with flavor.
- Apple Cider: Adds acidity and tanginess to the marinade. It also helps tenderize the chicken and adds a subtle fruity flavor.
- Ginger + Garlic: Add depth and complexity to the marinade.
- Chicken: I like to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs because they turn out extra juicy, but chicken breasts will also work.
- Cooked Rice : The perfect accompaniment to this rich and flavorful chicken.
Pro Tip: Baste the chicken often while grilling to keep it moist and flavorful!
Variations on Huli Chicken
This Huli Huli chicken is so succulent and delicious as it is, but you can take it to the next level by adding chili flakes or diced jalapeños to the marinade. For a creamy take, add some coconut milk to the marinade. And for a smoky version, incorporate some smoked paprika, chipotle peppers, or liquid smoke into the marinade. Yum!
Not feeling chicken? Try my Grilled Huli Huli Turkey Breast .
Huli Huli chicken is a traditional Hawaiian dish consisting of grilled chicken basted in a sweet and tangy sauce.
In Hawaiian, “huli” means to turn, reverse, or curl over. The name huli huli chicken comes from the fact that the chicken is turned over many times while it is cooked.
Both marinades make use of soy sauce, brown sugar, and ginger. However, teriyaki sauce includes rice wine, while huli huli sauce includes pineapple juice, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, and garlic.
Yes! Fresh pineapple juice contains an enzyme called bromelain that breaks down and tenderizes proteins. If it is left on for too long, it can cause the chicken to become mushy. I recommend using canned or bottled pineapple juice to reduce this risk.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover huli huli chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave in 30-second increments until warmed through.
How to Freeze
Freeze huli huli chicken in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this sweet and sticky chicken with white rice and sliced green onions for an easy weeknight meal. I absolutely love it with thick rings of grilled pinepple and assorted grilled vegetables .
More Grilled Chicken Recipes We Love
- Marinated Grilled Chicken Breast
- Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Breast
- BBQ Grilled Chicken
- Grilled Chicken Wings
- Grilled Chicken Tacos
- More Grilled Chicken Recipes
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ ½ cup canned pineapple juice
- ▢ ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ▢ ¼ cup brown sugar
- ▢ ¼ cup ketchup
- ▢ ¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ▢ 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ▢ 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- ▢ 2 cloves garlic minced
- ▢ 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- ▢ 4 cups cooked rice for serving
- ▢ Sliced green onions for serving
Video
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk the pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, ginger, and garlic. Reserve ½ cup for basting. ½ cup canned pineapple juice, ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce, ¼ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup ketchup, ¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, 2 cloves garlic
- Add the chicken thighs to the bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours and up to overnight. 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grease the grates with oil.
- Place the chicken on the grill, cover and cook for 5 minutes. Turn and then baste the chicken with the reserved sauce. Cover and cook for another 3 minutes. Continue flipping and basting every 2-3 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
- Serve with rice and garnish with green onions. 4 cups cooked rice, Sliced green onions
Equipment
- Grill or Indoor Grill Pan
Becky’s Tips
- For a gluten-free alternative, swap the soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos.
- Make sure to reserve some of the marinade before adding the chicken to avoid cross-contamination.
- Really short on time? A quick marinade for 30 minutes will still help infuse the chicken with flavor. Be sure to baste often when grilling!
- Let the chicken rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing to lock in the juices.
- Properly cooked chicken is 165°F internally.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Best Chicken Recipes
If you’re looking for more of my best chicken recipes to make for dinner any time of year, try these reader favorites!
- Honey Garlic Chicken
- Oven-fried Chicken
- Tuscan Chicken
- Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs
Huli Huli Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- Grill or Indoor Grill Pan
Ingredients
- ½ cup canned pineapple juice
- ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 4 cups cooked rice for serving
- Sliced green onions for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk the pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, ginger, and garlic. Reserve ½ cup for basting. ½ cup canned pineapple juice, ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce, ¼ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup ketchup, ¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, 2 cloves garlic
- Add the chicken thighs to the bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours and up to overnight. 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grease the grates with oil.
- Place the chicken on the grill, cover and cook for 5 minutes. Turn and then baste the chicken with the reserved sauce. Cover and cook for another 3 minutes. Continue flipping and basting every 2-3 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
- Serve with rice and garnish with green onions. 4 cups cooked rice, Sliced green onions
Video
Notes
- For a gluten-free alternative, swap the soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos.
- Make sure to reserve some of the marinade before adding the chicken to avoid cross-contamination.
- Really short on time? A quick marinade for 30 minutes will still help infuse the chicken with flavor. Be sure to baste often when grilling!
- Let the chicken rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing to lock in the juices.
- Properly cooked chicken is 165°F internally.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
