Go Back

Huli Huli Chicken, known as "Hawaiian Turning Chicken"

Sweet and savory grilled chicken thighs basted with a reduced pineapple, soy sauce, and brown sugar marinade — a Hawaiian-inspired summer grilling favorite.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Marinating Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Hawaiian
Servings 6 servings

Equipment

  • Grill
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Large ziplock bag

Ingredients
  

  • 3/4 cup light shoyu sauce
  • 1/3 cup sherry
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon minced ginger
  • 3/4 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar packed
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1 1/2 cups unsweetened pineapple juice
  • 4-5 lbs chicken thighs

Instructions
 

  • In a medium sized bowl, whisk together all the ingredients except the chicken.
  • Reserve 1 cup of the sauce for basting.
  • Add the chicken thighs and the remaining sauce to a large ziplock bag, squeeze out the air, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for more flavor. Flip the bag every few hours.
  • Reduce the reserved sauce in a small saucepan to thicken it slightly and concentrate the flavors.
  • Grill the chicken, turning it about every 4 minutes and basting it with the reduced marinade each time, until cooked through.
  • Optional for grilling: use smoker pellets, about 60% mesquite and 40% cherry, for extra flavor.
  • Serve with a side of rice or your favorite vegetable.
Keyword grilled chicken, hawaiian chicken, huli huli chicken, pineapple marinade