Description
Authentic Hawaiian huli huli chicken blends sweet and tangy flavors into a delectable grilled dish. Succulent marinade and precise cooking techniques guarantee a memorable island-inspired meal for passionate cooks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 23 lbs (10.4 kg) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks
- 1 cup (240 ml) pineapple juice
- ½ cup (120 ml) soy sauce
- ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) ketchup
- ¼ cup (60 ml) rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) sesame oil (optional)
- 1 tbsp (8 g) cornstarch
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) water
- Green onions (for garnish, optional)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Marinade Creation: Whisk pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil in a large bowl until ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a flavor-packed liquid.
- Marinating Process: Immerse chicken pieces completely in prepared marinade within a sealed container, ensuring total coverage. Refrigerate for 4-6 hours, allowing flavors to deeply infuse the meat’s texture.
- Grill Preparation: Heat outdoor or indoor grill to medium-high temperature. Remove chicken, gently blotting excess marinade with paper towels to promote optimal caramelization.
- Cooking Technique: Arrange chicken on preheated grill grates, maintaining even spacing. Grill for 12-14 minutes total, turning midway to create crisp exterior and guarantee internal temperature reaches 165°F. Intermittently brush with reserved marinade to intensify flavor profile.
- Sauce Refinement: Meanwhile, transfer remaining marinade to a saucepan. Bring to a vigorous boil, then reduce heat. Simmer until liquid condenses, whisking in cornstarch slurry to create a glossy, rich sauce for final drizzling.
- Serving Presentation: Allow grilled chicken to rest briefly, enabling juice redistribution. Slice professionally and garnish with reduced sauce, presenting alongside complementary side dishes for a complete culinary experience.
Notes
- Prevent Cross-Contamination: Always use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw chicken to avoid harmful bacteria spread, and wash hands thoroughly after handling raw meat.
- Marinade Magic: Reserve a portion of the marinade before adding raw chicken for basting and creating a sauce, preventing potential foodborne illness from uncooked chicken juices.
- Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to guarantee chicken reaches exactly 165°F internally, ensuring safe consumption while maintaining maximum juiciness and tenderness.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap traditional soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to make the recipe suitable for gluten-sensitive individuals without compromising the rich, complex flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 21 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg