Huli Huli Chicken Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 16 oz. chicken thighs
For the Marinade & Sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- ¼ cup pineapple juice
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
Optional Garnish
- Sesame seeds
- Scallions
- Fried egg
- Steamed rice
Instructions
- Place the chicken thighs in a bowl and combine with dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, pineapple juice, sesame oil, and rice vinegar. Mix well and marinate for at least 15 minutes, or ideally 1 hour.
- Heat a pan over medium heat with a bit of oil. Remove the chicken from the marinade, reserving the marinade, and cook the chicken for about 4 minutes per side.
- Pour the reserved marinade into the pan and continue cooking until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce has reduced into a glossy glaze that clings to the chicken.
- Serve over a fresh bowl of rice.
- Optionally garnish with sesame seeds, scallions, and a fried egg.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Table of Contents
- Huli Huli Chicken Recipe
- Introduction
- Why This Huli Huli Chicken Recipe Is So Good
- Why The Marinade Is So Important For This Huli Huli Chicken Recipe
- Huli Huli Chicken Recipe Ingredients
- How to Make Huli Huli Chicken
- What to Serve with Huli Huli Chicken
- How to Store Huli Huli Chicken For Meal Prep
- Huli Huli Chicken Substitutions
- What to Make Next
Introduction
If you’ve never made Huli Huli Chicken at home before, you’re definitely in for a treat. This Huli Huli Chicken Recipe has been a staple in my house ever since I discovered this, and I’m sure you will too! This particular recipe is so delicious because the marinade has plenty of aromatics, soy sauce, and pineapple juice, which turns plain chicken thighs into an incredibly flavorful dinner. This recipe is inspired by those classic Hawaiian flavors that you get from those food trucks on sunny beaches, and I wish the dish could transport you there too!
Why This Huli Huli Chicken Recipe Is So Good
This Huli Huli Chicken Recipe is so tasty because it builds flavor before the chicken hits the pan. Giving the chicken time to marinate is crucial because it allows the marinade to really penetrate the meat and creates flavor throughout the chicken instead of just on the surface. Even after the chicken is added the pan, the chicken is cooked separately to caramelize the marinade that’s already on the chicken before finishing with the reserved marinade, which will reduce the sauce into a thick glaze. At the end, every piece of chicken is coated in layers of sweet and tangy flavor.
Why The Marinade Is So Important For This Huli Huli Chicken Recipe
The marinade is what makes this Huli Huli Chicken Recipe so special, and it’s super unique. While we have the classic Asian seasonings such as light and dark soy sauce, the pineapple juice is what really makes the marinade. It adds this natural sweetness and fruity flavor that’s signature to Huli Huli Chicken. I like to buy mine canned, but you can also juice your own if you really want to go authentic! After adding the rest of the ingredients, the marinade turns into an aromatic and balanced blend that not only seasons the chicken, but also becomes the glaze that clings to the chicken.
Huli Huli Chicken Recipe Ingredients
Chicken thighs – The main protein that stays juicy and soaks up all the marinade.
Marinade and sauce (dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, pineapple juice, sesame oil, rice vinegar) – A delicious blend that creates the signature flavors that Huli Huli Chicken is known for.
Optional garnishes (sesame seeds, scallions, fried egg, steamed rice) – Rice turns this into a complete meal, while the garnishes add color and freshness.
How to Make Huli Huli Chicken
Combine the chicken with all of the marinade ingredients. Mix thoroughly and marinate for at least 15 minutes, or ideally 1 hour.
Remove the chicken from the marinade, reserving the remaining marinade. Cook the chicken for about 4 minutes per side.
Pour the reserved marinade into the pan. Continue cooking until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce reduces into a glossy glaze.
Serve immediately over steamed rice. Garnish with sesame seeds, scallions, and a fried egg if desired.
What to Serve with Huli Huli Chicken
This Huli Huli Chicken is so good on it’s own, but it’s even better as a part of a meal. Here are a few of my favorite sides to serve it with:
- Macaroni salad. A classic side dish that balances the sweet and salty chicken perfectly.
- Grilled pinapple. It may sound weird, but the caramelized bits on the pineapple compliment the grilled chicken so well!
- Roasted broccoli. A great vegetable that also pairs well with the chicken. Eat your veggies!
How to Store Huli Huli Chicken For Meal Prep
This Huli Huli Chicken Recipe stores really well and can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors become even better as the chicken sits in the sauce. When reheating, you also have a few options:
- Microwave. The most convenient way of reheating things. I like to microwave on the highest setting for two minutes. Be sure to cover with a paper towel as the chicken may splatter!
- In a pan. The best way to reheat this chicken. You can cook for 5 minutes over medium heat before serving again.
Huli Huli Chicken Substitutions
This Huli Huli Chicken Recipe is very flexible, and you can substitute some ingredients depending on what you have available. A few of my favorite substitutions are:
- Chicken breast. A lean option that still absorbs the marinade well, although keep an eye on it as it cooks quickly.
- Honey. A great substitute for brown sugar that still allows the sauce to reduce just as it would with the sugar.
- Orange juice. If you don’t have pineapple juice, orange juice provides a similar sweetness and acidity.
- Boneless pork chops. This protein also pairs very well with the sweet and salty marinade.
What to Make Next
Craving another chicken recipe? You’ll love my Sticky Sweet Chicken!
Want something with plenty of garlic? Try my Crispy Honey Garlic Beef!
Feeling like beef instead? Cook my Korean BBQ Steak!
