huli-huli chicken
My good friend from Maui makes this every time we get together for a BBQ. Amounts are my estimates from watching - no recipes in that household! You can make this on a stovetop skillet or grill pan, but it makes quite a mess.
Blue Ribbon Recipe
Huli huli means "turn turn" in Hawaiian, which is appropriate because you turn and baste the chicken thighs multiple times. The teriyaki-inspired sauce is sweet, savory, tangy, and has a slight spice kick. It's filled with fresh ginger, garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar, and pineapple juice. Grilling the chicken imparts a smoky flavor, too. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are traditionally used, but chicken breasts can be substituted for huli-huli chicken. Served with grilled pineapple, this is a flavorful chicken dinner that'll take your taste buds to Hawaii.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice, unsweetened
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon finely minced garlic
- 3 - 4 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/3 cup Tamari or soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sherry
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, unseasoned
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha or to taste
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 4 chicken thighs, boneless
- GARNISHES
- pineapple slices
- green onions, sliced diagonally
How To Make huli-huli chicken
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Step 1Combine all of the marinade ingredients in a glass bowl. Taste and adjust to your taste. Set aside 1/2 cup of the marinade in a smaller bowl (to be used for basting). -
Step 2Add the chicken thighs to the large bowl of marinade. Turn to coat.
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Step 3Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Overnight is best.
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Step 4Once marinated, preheat the grill and brush the grill grates with a bit of oil. Remove chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade. Begin grilling the chicken. Watch carefully because the sugar content of the marinade will burn easily.
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Step 5Grill about 3 minutes until nicely colored. Turn and cook for 2 minutes on the second side.
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Step 6Baste the chicken. Then turn it again.
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Step 7Continue turning and basting every minute, 5 times for a total cooking time of 10-12 minutes. Chicken is done when it reaches 165 degrees F internal temperature. Remove from grill, cover loosely with foil, and let rest for 3-5 minutes to let the juices settle.
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Step 8Meanwhile, grill the pineapple slices.
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Step 9Grill 2-3 minutes per side until they develop grill lines.
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Step 10Serve with the pinapple slices. Sprinkle with the sliced green onions.
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