Aloha from my Kitchen: Bringing the Taste of Hawaii Home with Huli Huli Chicken
Ever dreamt of sandy beaches, swaying palm trees, and the sweet aroma of Huli Huli Chicken wafting through the air? Well, you don’t need a plane ticket to experience the delicious flavors of Hawaii! This post brings the iconic Huli Huli Chicken recipe right to your backyard, allowing you to recreate that tropical vacation vibe in your own kitchen.
My first bite of Huli Huli Chicken was on the North Shore of Oahu, at one of the legendary roadside stands – Ray’s Kiawe Broiled Chicken. The smoky aroma, the perfectly caramelized glaze, and the juicy tenderness of the chicken instantly captured my heart (and my taste buds!).
History of Huli Huli Chicken
But what exactly is Huli Huli Chicken? The name itself, meaning “turn, turn” in Hawaiian, refers to the method of grilling the chicken. In 1955, a man named Ernest Morgado decided to take his famous teriyaki chicken recipe outdoors and grill it over an open fire. This innovative approach gave birth to the Huli Huli Chicken we know and love today, and it’s been a staple of Hawaiian barbecue ever since.
So, are you ready to embark on a culinary adventure to Hawaii? Grab your apron, gather your ingredients, and let’s get grilling!
Huli Huli Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Recipe
Gather your ingredients:
Marinade:
- 1/4 cup Hoisin sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup Hawaiian honey or regular honey
- 1/4 cup concentrated frozen pineapple juice
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons garlic-shallot puree or 3 cloves of mashed garlic
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger root
- Salt to taste
For the chicken:
- 1 whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces (or use 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs)
- Vegetable oil for grilling
Optional glaze:
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon pineapple juice
Tip: Feel free to adjust the amount of brown sugar in the marinade and glaze to your desired level of sweetness.
Let’s get cooking!
- Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients – soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and white pepper. Whisk well to ensure everything is incorporated. Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, making sure they are evenly coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for deeper flavor.
- Fire up the grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Brush or spray the grill grates lightly with oil to prevent sticking.
- Time to grill! Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade, reserving the leftover marinade for basting later. Place the chicken on the preheated grill and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through and golden brown.
- Basting magic (optional): While the chicken is grilling, you can create an optional glaze by combining the brown sugar, ketchup, and pineapple juice in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens slightly. Brush the glaze onto the chicken during the last few minutes of cooking for an extra layer of sweetness and caramelization.
Tip: If you don’t have pineapple juice, you can use orange juice or water instead.
- Rest and serve: Once the chicken is cooked through and beautifully browned, transfer it to a plate and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in even more tender and flavorful chicken.
Voila! Your Huli Huli Chicken is ready to be devoured. Pair it with fluffy white rice, a cool side salad, and a refreshing slice of pineapple for a complete Hawaiian-inspired meal.
Watch how to make this recipe!
Want to see this recipe come to life? Check out this video where I walk you through the entire process, step-by-step!
Whether you’re reminiscing about a Hawaiian vacation or simply seeking a taste of the islands, this Huli Huli Chicken recipe is sure to transport you to paradise with every bite. So, fire up the grill, grab a fork, and aloha to a delicious culinary adventure!
Final Thoughts:
You’ll need one whole chicken for this recipe, which I’ve cut into eight pieces. Check out my video on how to cut a chicken if you’re not sure how to do this. For authentic Hawaiian BBQ, use kiawe wood (known in the U.S. as mesquite chips).
More Recipes
- Hawaiian Pork Ribs
- Mexican Chicken Marinade
- Maui Costco Shopping List
- Hawaiian Mac Salad
- Mochiko Chicken
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Huli Huli Chicken Recipe
Recipe by Jason Hill – CookingSessions.comIngredients
- 1 whole chicken cut into 8 pieces
- Mesquite chips for smoking the chicken
Huli Huli Marinade
- 1/4 cup Hoisin sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup Hawaiian honey or regular honey
- 1/4 cup concentrated frozen pineapple juice
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons garlic-shallot puree or 3 cloves of mashed garlic
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger root
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Prepare your BBQ chicken marinade the day before you plan to grill. Sometimes I like to toss in a couple drops of Sriracha sauce into the marinade for a spicier flavor.
- Mix the marinade ingredients well and place into a Ziploc bag or baking pan covered in plastic wrap. Marinate chicken pieces for at least 2 hours, but preferably overnight.
- When cooking BBQ chicken, I like to use my smoker and today I’m using mesquite chips, which is called kiawe in Hawaii. Grill this slowly for about 40 minutes, turning and basting with the sauce as needed.
