Grilled Huli Huli Hawaiian Chicken Recipe

Huli Huli Hawaiian Chicken is marinated in a sweet-and-sour pineapple teriyaki sauce and cooked over an open flame grill until perfectly charred on the outside and juicy on the inside.

Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken Recipe

Aloha! Today we’re making Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken, a delicious and flavorful island dish.

This popular chicken entrée is marinated in a sweet-and-sour pineapple teriyaki sauce and cooked over an open flame grill until perfectly charred on the outside and juicy on the inside.

Hawaiian Recipes Series

Be sure to check out all the other recipes in our series.

• Ham and Pineapple Hawaiian Dip
• Sweet and Spicy Hawaiian Pork Chops
• Hawaiian Pizza Crescent Rolls
• Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken Sandwich
• Ham and Pineapple Hawaiian Pinwheels
• Air Fryer Hawaiian Pizza

This traditional Hawaiian dish was first created by a Honolulu-based businessman in 1955 when he whipped up a teriyaki-inspired sauce to make something special for his friends.

The name “Huli Huli” derives from the Hawaiian word “huli,” which means “turn.”

This refers to how the chicken must be turned during its cooking process in order to ensure that all sides are cooked evenly and bask in the marinade’s flavor.

Why is it Called Huli Huli Chicken

Huli huli chicken originated in 1955 when a businessman named Ernest Morgado was tasked with raising funds for a local church.

He decided to cook up a batch of chicken using a teriyaki-inspired sauce and a unique cooking technique: turning the chicken over and over on the grill, hence the name “huli huli.”

The dish was a hit, and soon, Morgado was producing huli huli chicken on a large scale, later patenting the name.

Today, huli huli chicken is a staple of Hawaiian cuisine and is enjoyed by visitors and locals alike.

Serves: 4

Prep Time: 3 hours

Cook Time: 25 minutes

What You Need For Huli Huli Chicken

• Chicken leg quarters  
• Unsweetened pineapple juice
• Soy sauce
• Brown sugar
• Ketchup
• Chicken broth
• Fresh ginger 
• Minced garlic
• Chives minced for garnish
• Diced pineapple for garnish 

For exact measurements, please see the printable recipe card below.

How to Make Pineapple Chicken

Grill Directions

To make this dish, you will need: chicken leg quarters or larger chicken portions, pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, fresh ginger, and ketchup.

Start by combining the pineapple juice with soy sauce and seasonings; then add the chicken pieces to the marinade and refrigerate for 2-3 hours.

Once your chicken is ready to go on the grill, preheat it to medium-high heat.

Place your marinated chicken onto the hot grill grates and cook turning every few minutes until golden brown on both sides (about 25 minutes).

Baste frequently with the remaining marinade, and don’t forget to turn the chicken often so that it cooks evenly.

Once your Huli Huli Chicken is done, serve it up with steamed white rice for a delicious Hawaiian dinner!

The sweet-and-sour pineapple teriyaki flavor will transport you straight to the islands. Enjoy!

Oven Directions

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, chicken broth, ginger, and garlic. 

Save 1 cup of sauce for basting. 

Add the chicken leg quarters and sauce to a ziplock bag and marinate for at least 3 hours or overnight.

In a large roasting pan add your leg quarters

Preheat oven to 400′ 

Cook your chicken for 18 minutes 

Add more sauce to your chicken and turn the chicken over in the pan 

Add sauce to both sides 

Place back in the oven for another 5 minutes at 450′ 

Garnish with minced chives, and pineapple bits if desired.

Printable Recipe Card and Nutritional Value

Hawaiian Chicken Final Thoughts

Whether you’re planning a Hawaiian-themed party or simply want to spice up your weeknight dinner routine, huli huli chicken is an easy and delicious way to do it.

Huli Huli chicken is a Hawaiian dish that is sure to bring a taste of the tropics to your dinner table.

With a sweet and savory pineapple marinade and a unique cooking technique, this dish is a hit for any occasion.

So fire up the grill, grab your ingredients, and get ready to enjoy a taste of the aloha spirit!

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