Pieces of huli huli chicken on a white platter garnished with sesame seeds and sliced scallions on a bed of pineapple rice

Huli Huli Chicken

Huli Huli Chicken is a delightfully sweet and savory teriyaki-style dish that is popular in Hawaii

Soy sauce, brown sugar, and ketchup make for an insanely delicious marinade and plenty of fresh garlic and ginger bring out some acidity and brightness

Believe it or not, the first time I had Huli Huli Chicken was in the food court of a mall

I’m not a fan of fast food but really needed some lunch!  A small Hawaiian fusion stand was one of the options that caught my eye  Everything was made fresh right in front of you.  Ok, I’ll give it a try

WOW!  What amazing flavor this grilled chicken had!  I was hooked and had to try it out in my own kitchen

What is Huli Huli??

Huli huli chicken takes its name from the Hawaiian word for “turn”  While grilling, the chicken is turned back and forth several times, similar to a rotisserie

Let’s start with the marinade.  This marinade is quick and easy and packed with amazing flavor!

Measure out 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 cup of ketchup, 1/2 cup of soy sauce, 1/2 cup of chicken broth, 1 1/2 teaspoons of grated fresh ginger and 2 minced garlic cloves

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Mix the marinade ingredients well and set aside

We’re using 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs that we’ve butterflied.  You can do this yourself or you can just ask your butcher to do it for you

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Add the butterflied chicken to a gallon zip top baggie and place in a bowl.  I always use this method when marinating so that it doesn’t spill.  After sealing, lay the bag in a small sheet pan to prevent drips  You should marinate for at least 8 hours or up to 24 hours.  The more time it marinates, the more juicy and tasty it will be!

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It’s grilling time!  Remove the chicken pieces from the bag and place on a sheet pan.  Heat your grill to medium-high.  We’re using our flattop grill which is similar to cooking on a cast iron pan.  If you’re using a gas or charcoal grill, the temperature and timing still applies

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Once the grill is heated, spray with cooking oil so that the chicken doesn’t stick  Grill for 3 minutes, then turn, not flip for another 2 minutes.  Now flip each chicken piece over and cook for 2 minutes and then turn, not flip and cook for another 2 minutes or until the thickest part of the chicken registers 170 degrees

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Remove from grill and garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced scallions.  We served over our Pineapple Fried Rice

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Enjoy!

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Simply Sundays ~ Huli Huli Chicken

  • Servings: 4-6
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Ingredients

1/2 cup of brown sugar

1/2 cup of ketchup

1/2 cup of soy sauce

1/2 cup of chicken broth

1 1/2 teaspoons of grated fresh ginger

2 minced garlic cloves

2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs that have been butterflied

Toasted sesame seeds and sliced scallions for garnish

Directions

Measure out 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 cup of ketchup, 1/2 cup of soy sauce, 1/2 cup of chicken broth, 1 1/2 teaspoons of grated fresh ginger and 2 minced garlic cloves; mix the marinade ingredients well and set aside

Place the butterflied chicken in a gallon zip top baggie and place in a bowl; marinate for at least 8 hours or up to 24 hours

Remove the chicken pieces from the bag and place on a sheet pan.  Heat your grill to medium-high.  We’re using our flattop grill which is similar to cooking on a cast iron pan.  If you’re using a gas or charcoal grill, the temperature and timing still applies

Once the grill is heated, spray with a little cooking oil. Grill for 3 minutes, then turn, not flip for another 2 minutes.  Now flip each chicken piece over and cook for 2 minutes and then turn, not flip and cook for another 2 minutes or until the thickest part of the chicken registers 170 degrees

Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced scallions

Tools used to make this recipe

Blackstone 28 inch Outdoor Flat Top Griddle

Mini Prep Glass Bowl

Pyrex Mixing Bowl

Pyrex Prepware 2-Cup Measuring Cup, Red Graphics, Clear

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