Indulge your taste buds in the flavors of the tropics with this mouthwatering Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken recipe. Originating from the beautiful islands of Hawaii, Huli Huli Chicken is a beloved dish that captures the essence of Hawaiian cuisine with its irresistible combination of tangy, sweet, and smoky flavors. Marinated in a tantalizing blend of pineapple juice, soy sauce, ginger, and other aromatic spices, this grilled chicken dish is guaranteed to transport you to a sun-kissed beach with each delicious bite. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey to the Pacific islands and bring the taste of paradise to your plate with this delightful Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken recipe.

What is Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken?
Huli Huli Chicken has its origins in 1955 when Hawaiian farmer Ernest Morgado developed a method of grilling chicken that involved suspending the marinated meat over an open fire and continuously turning it. The term “huli huli” comes from the Hawaiian word for “turn.” The succulent and flavorful chicken quickly gained popularity and became a beloved dish at community gatherings and luaus throughout Hawaii. Today, Huli Huli Chicken is an iconic symbol of Hawaiian cuisine, representing the unique flavors of the islands and embodying the spirit of community and shared enjoyment.
Ingredients Neededto Make Huli Huli Chicken
2 1/2 LBS Skinless Boneless Chicken Thighs – This recipe calls for boneless/skinless chicken thighs. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe but it may come out drier and not as good. The original recipe is double this size, so I cut the recipe in half and made some variations.
The Sauce Ingredients include brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, pineapple juice, chicken broth, ginger root paste and minced garlic.
How to Make Hul Huli Chicken
Step 1 – In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, pineapple juice, chicken broth, ginger root paste and minced garlic together. Reserve about 1/3 of it for basting, cover and store in the fridge.
Step 2 – Cut chicken into 1 inch pieces.
Step 3 – Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, can marinade up to 24 hours.

Step 4 – Drain and discard marinade and place chicken on the skewers.
Step 5 – Grill chicken, covered, over medium heat for 6-8 minutes on each side or until no longer pink; baste occasionally with reserved marinade during the last 5 minutes

Tips for Grilling Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken
- Soak your Skewer Sticks – I made one mistake as I didn’t pre-soak the skewer sticks in water and the sticks kind of burned as you can see. If you soak the skewers for about 20 minutes before grilling they won’t burn.
- Marinate at least 30 minutes. Marinating chicken for at least 30 minutes not only lets seasonings work their magic, but can also help lean pieces stay juicy once they hit the flame. This recipe for calls for a longer marinade but 30 minutes is the least amount of time you should marinate the meat in.
- Marinate in the Refrigerator. Always marinate the meat in the refrigerator. If you choose to save some of the marinade as a basting or dipping sauce, set aside a portion for later before adding it to the raw food.
- Grease Your Grill. Chances are you won’t have a sticking problem if your chicken has skin, or if it’s marinated or rubbed with some oil — but play it safe. Before you light the grill, spray the rack with nonstick cooking spray or brush it with oil.
- Don’t Overcook. Chicken thighs are a great option for everyone as they are much more forgiving if slightly overcooked.
- Don’t Grill on High Heat/Flame. Unlike a steak, which requires high heat to sear on a grill, the chicken will burn on the outside while not fully cooking on the inside if the heat is too high. It will cook more evenly and thoroughly at a lower temperature.
- Clean Your Grill Immediately Once Done. Scrape your grill rack after each use; otherwise, the chicken will pick up charred bits from your last barbecue. Chicken has a tendency to stick to a dirty grill.
What to Serve with Huli Huli Chicken
- Yakisoba Noodles. I served this chicken with Yakisoba Noodles (you know the cheap ones for under $1) made with a sauce similar to the sauce they serve at Disney’s ‘Ohana with the lo-mien noodles.
- Hawaiian Bubble Bread. This is a nice sweet bread with coconut, pineapple, and cherries.
Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken

Ingredients
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 1/3 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 1/3 cup pineapple juice
- 1/8 cup chicken broth
- 1 1/4 teaspoons minced fresh ginger root paste
- 3/4 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 1/2 LBS skinless boneless chicken thighs
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the first six ingredients. Reserve about 1/3 of it for basting, cover and store in the fridge.
- Cut chicken into 1 inch pieces.
- Layer pineapple piece, red pepper, and chicken onto a skewer.
- Place skewers in a 9x13 pan, pour marinade over chicken,
- Marinate for 8 hours or overnight.
- Drain and discard marinade.
- Moisten a paper towel with cooking oil and use long handled tongs to coat the grill rack if your grill is not properly seasoned.
- Grill chicken, covered, over medium heat for 6-8 minutes on each side or until no longer pink; baste occasionally with reserved marinade during the last 5 minutes
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 398Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 231mgSodium: 982mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 0gSugar: 19gProtein: 47g
PixieDustedJourneys, occasionally offers nutritional information for the recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although PixieDustedJourneys.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Amanda Nolder
Friday 26th of June 2020
This chicken was wonderful! Like we were at Disney. Kids LOVED it.