Grilled Huli Huli Chicken – Unveil the magic of Grilled Huli Huli Chicken – a delightful blend of savory and sweet that promises to transport your taste buds straight to the heart of American cuisine. Bursting with a tantalizing mix of unsweetened pineapple juice, soy sauce, and brown sugar, this dish is a guaranteed showstopper.
The first time I attempted this Grilled Huli Huli Chicken recipe was a particularly sunny day, with just a hint of a cool breeze – perfect grilling weather. My husband was skeptical, as he tends to be with new dishes, but the moment he took that first bite? His eyes lit up! And let’s not even talk about my little one’s reaction – let’s just say there were no leftovers that evening. It was a shared moment of culinary delight, one that has since become a cherished memory in our household.
What makes this Grilled Huli Huli Chicken truly delightful?
Dive into a dish that’s the epitome of American culinary finesse with its rich, authentic taste; a delightful fusion of sweet and salty. Whether you prefer chicken thighs or breasts, this Grilled Huli Huli Chicken recipe flexes to accommodate. Best of all? It’s a quick and easy treat, coming together in just 30 minutes, making it your ultimate go-to for those bustling weekday dinners or impromptu backyard gatherings.
What You Need To Make This Grilled Huli Huli Chicken Recipe?
Unsweetened Pineapple Juice: The overlooked hero of this dish. Choosing unsweetened instead of sweetened guarantees a balanced flavor allowing the tanginess to shine through and creating a delightful foundation, for marinating.
Fresh Ginger Root: It’s not just your spice; it’s an aromatic treasure. Finely grating it ensures that its spicy notes blend subtly throughout the dish enhancing the chicken’s depth of flavor.
Minced Garlic: The robust and earthy aroma of garlic elevates our chicken bringing a touch to every bite. Remember, mincing garlic ensures distribution ensuring that each piece gets its share of garlic goodness.
Brown Sugar and soy Sauce: A dream combination! While brown sugar offers a sweetness with hints of molasses, soy sauce counters with its umami richness. Together they create a marinade that’s both harmonious and irresistibly tantalizing.
Chicken Broth: This is our secret to keeping the chicken moist and flavorful. It blends seamlessly with the ingredients providing an undertone that is simply irresistible.
Ketchup: Not just for fries! Its sweet and tangy profile acts as a bridge connecting all the flavors together and adding a touch of comfort.
Green Onions: These delightful ingredients go beyond garnish and add a touch to any dish. Their subtle spicy flavor brings an element elevating each bite to a truly unforgettable experience.
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Steps To Make Grilled Huli Huli Chicken:
Step 1: Start by mixing the pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, chicken broth, ginger, and garlic in a medium-sized bowl. Save a cup of this sauce for later, as a basting sauce. Now comes the exciting part. Immerse those chicken thighs in the sauce! You can use a ziplock bag for this. Let them marinate for at least 3 hours or even overnight if you have the time. Patience is important here.
Step 2: When you’re ready to grill preheat it to medium heat. Place the chicken on the grill. Let it cook for 6 to 8 minutes, on each side. You’ll know it’s cooked when the pinkness disappears. Don’t forget about that reserved sauce! Now is the time to brush it onto the chicken. Baste the chicken during the 5 minutes of grilling. If you want to add a touch of elegance sprinkle some sliced green onions on top as a garnish!
Tip:
To enhance the taste more you can try grilling pineapple slices alongside your chicken. The charred and sweet flavor of the grilled pineapple perfectly complements the Huli Huli marinade giving each bite a tropical touch. It also adds a gourmet touch, to your presentation!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use another part of the chicken?
Sure you can definitely use another part of the chicken if you prefer. Chicken breasts are just as suitable, for this recipe as well as chicken thighs.
How long can I marinate the chicken?
If you’re wondering about marinating the chicken it’s best to let it marinate overnight for flavor infusion. However if time is limited a minimum of 3 hours should still yield the best results.
Can I cook this indoors?
No worries if you don’t have access to a grill! You can easily cook this indoors using a pan on your stovetop. Just make sure you have ventilation, in place as it might get smoky!
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Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Grilled Huli Huli Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs chicken breasts also work
- 1 c unsweetened pineapple juice
- 1/2 c soy sauce
- 1/2 c brown sugar
- 1/3 c ketchup
- 1/4 c chicken broth
- 2 tsp fresh ginger root grated
- 1 1/2 tsp minced garlic
- Green onions sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
- To prepare the marinade combine pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, chicken broth, ginger and garlic in a bowl.
- Next set aside one cup of the marinade, for basting. Place the chicken in a ziplock bag. Pour the remaining marinade over it. Refrigerate for 3 hours or preferably overnight to allow the flavors to infuse.
- When you're ready to grill preheat your grill to medium heat. Cook the chicken for 6 to 8 minutes on each side until it is fully cooked. During the 5 minutes of cooking time, baste the chicken with the reserved marinade.
- Once done grilling garnish with some sliced onions, on top. Now you're ready to enjoy your grilled chicken!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!