Incredible Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken

Get that sweet, tropical vibe with this Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken—sticky glaze, juicy grilled chicken, and charred pineapple. Every time I serve this, it turns a regular get-together into an instant island party. My family can’t get enough of it at bbqs.

The first time I made this was for a backyard luau, and it disappeared before I got any. People now ask for it every time the grill comes out.

Flavorful Ingredients

• Fresh pineapple: find one that's heavy and golden to guarantee juicy bites
• Soy sauce: go for low sodium if you want it less salty classic soy taste is key
• Sesame seeds and sliced green onions: totally optional but they add a fun crunch and look nice
• Brown sugar: soft, fresh, brown sugar makes mixing simple and adds a caramel hit
• Sesame oil: toasted sesame oil brings loads of nutty scent
• Teriyaki sauce: homemade or top-notch store sauce turns it up a notch
• Boneless chicken thighs or breasts: thighs are super tender so grab a fresh package with little liquid
• Pineapple juice: use 100 percent pineapple juice for that sweet touch skip the added sugar
• Fresh ginger: hand-grated ginger will light up those flavors
• Garlic: fresh minced garlic slaps harder than the jar stuff

Simple Steps

Finish It Up:

Lay out grilled chicken onto your plate Top it off with those sweet pineapple rounds Sprinkle with sesame and green onions if you're into extra texture

Cook the Pineapple:

Toss your pineapple rings on the grill as the chicken cooks Sear for two or three minutes a side You want those golden marks and that little bit of caramel sweetness

Grill Time:

Take chicken out the marinade, let extra drip off Save some fresh marinade for basting Place on a hot grill Cook one side for six-seven minutes then flip just once Brush with more glaze as you go for extra shine

Fire Up the Grill:

Set grill to medium-high Make sure the grates are heated evenly—less sticking, easier flipping

Soak the Chicken:

Drop chicken into a big bag or glass dish Pour the marinade right over Everything gets covered Pop it in the fridge for at least two hours overnight’s even better for flavor

Throw Together the Marinade:

Mix up teriyaki, soy, pineapple juice, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil in a huge bowl Keep whisking till sugar is gone and everything's blended

Save Pin

Just the smell of fresh pineapple here makes me think of vacation. Throwing those juicy slices over smoky chicken always takes me back to hanging out at family cookouts or sneaking a swipe of caramel glaze as a kid.

Keeping It Fresh

Leftovers? Keep them sealed up in the fridge for three days max. If you’re prepping ahead, toss chicken and pineapple into meal containers and chill them. Want to freeze it? Just freeze the chicken part—not the pineapple—for the best texture after thawing.

Save Pin

Swap Outs

Chicken thighs keep things the juiciest, but flattened breasts will work too. If you need gluten free make sure your soy sauce is safe or just use tamari or coconut aminos. No fresh pineapple? Canned works fine—just rinse it first to get rid of extra syrup.

How To Serve

Spoon this chicken over hot jasmine rice or stack some in Hawaiian rolls for a fun sandwich. I love it with crisp cabbage slaw and a hit of lime, or next to grilled corn—especially in the summertime.

Fun History

Huli means turn over in Hawaiian since the cooks flip the chicken while grilling. This is old-school island street food dating back to the 50s. It’s always a highlight at our family hangs—when it shows up, you know it’s party time.

Common Questions

→ What exactly is Huli Huli chicken?

This dish comes from Hawaii and features chicken that's been marinated until juicy, then grilled over open flames. The marinade is a mix of sweet and salty thanks to pineapple juice, soy, and plenty of flavor boosters.

→ How much time should the chicken soak in the marinade?

Let the chicken hang out in the marinade for at least two hours. If you can leave it overnight, you'll get even deeper flavor throughout.

→ Could I swap out chicken breasts for thighs?

Yep! Chicken breasts or thighs both grill up great. Just watch the grill so the breasts don't get dry.

→ How do I make pineapple slices with bold grill lines?

Lay pineapple slices on a hot grill for about two or three minutes each side. Give them a little press and you'll get nice lines every time.

→ Should the chicken get basted while it's cooking?

Yep, basting with some extra marinade keeps the chicken super moist and gives it a sticky-sweet glaze on the outside.

→ Any tips for serving with sides?

This goes awesome with steamed rice, crunchy veggies, or toss in a fresh salad for something lighter next to all those big flavors.