Description
Enjoy the tropical flavors of summer with this Tasty Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken recipe. Marinated in a delicious mix of sesame oil, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, pineapple juice, and more, then grilled to perfection and topped with green onions and toasted sesame seeds, this dish offers a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors that will have you craving more all season long.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade
- ½ cup sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- ¾ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup pineapple juice
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
Chicken
- 4 pieces chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless, skin-on preferred)
Garnish
- 2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine sesame oil, grated fresh ginger, finely chopped garlic, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, pineapple juice, and rice vinegar. Whisk everything together until smooth to create the flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs into a large zip-top bag or bowl. Pour half of the marinade over the chicken, reserving the other half for later. Seal the bag or cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
- Preheat the Grill: When ready to cook, preheat your grill to medium-high heat to ensure a nice sear and smoky flavor.
- Grill the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting any excess drip off. Grill the chicken for about 5 to 7 minutes per side, basting periodically with the reserved marinade to keep the meat moist and flavorful while developing a beautiful glaze.
- Make the Glaze: While the chicken grills, pour the remaining marinade into a small saucepan and warm it over medium heat until it slightly thickens, forming a delicious glaze to brush on the chicken.
- Serve: Once cooked through, brush the grilled chicken with the thickened glaze. Sprinkle with thinly sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds for an added burst of flavor and texture before serving.
Notes
- For best results, marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours or overnight if possible.
- If you don’t have a grill, you can use a grill pan or broil the chicken in the oven.
- Bone-in chicken thighs provide more flavor and moisture, but boneless works well for quicker cooking.
- Make sure to discard any leftover raw marinade that was in contact with the chicken to avoid food safety risks.
- Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of brown sugar or pineapple juice to suit your taste.
