Name: Easy Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken: A Terribly Good Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 4 h 15 min
Cuisine: Hawaiian
Ingredients: 1 whole chicken (3-4 lbs); 1 cup soy sauce; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 1/4 cup rice vinegar; 1/4 cup pineapple juice; 2 tablespoons ginger, grated; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon sesame oil; 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

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There’s just something magical about Hawaiian food, isn’t there? That sweet and savory combo, those vibrant flavors… it just screams “good times!” And for me, it always brings back memories of my trip to Maui. I swear, I ate my weight in kalua pig and shave ice! But you don’t need a plane ticket to enjoy those island tastes. This Easy Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken recipe brings that Aloha spirit right to your backyard grill!

Huli Huli Chicken is a classic for a reason. It’s got this incredible sweet-savory glaze that caramelizes beautifully over the flames. Seriously, the smell alone is enough to make your mouth water! And the best part? It’s way easier to make than you might think. This version is so simple, even I can’t mess it up (and trust me, that’s saying something!). Get ready to impress your friends and family with this amazing Easy Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken. It’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Why You’ll Love This Easy Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken Recipe

Okay, seriously, you NEED this recipe in your life. Why? Let me break it down for ya:

Quick and Easy to Make

Forget spending hours in the kitchen! This Easy Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken is ready with minimal prep. Just whip up the marinade, let the chicken soak, and grill! I mean, come on, it doesn’t get much easier than that!

Authentic Hawaiian Flavors

That classic Huli Huli taste comes from the perfect blend of soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and a touch of pineapple juice. Trust me, it’s like a luau in your mouth! My favorite part is how the marinade caramelizes on the grill – yum!

Perfect for Grilling

Who doesn’t love grilling season? And this Easy Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken is the *perfect* excuse to fire up the grill. The marinade keeps the chicken super moist, and the smoky flavor takes it to a whole new level. Plus, it’s just plain fun to grill!

Ingredients for Your Easy Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken

Alright, let’s talk ingredients! Don’t worry, you probably already have most of this stuff in your pantry. Here’s what you’ll need to make this amazing Easy Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken:

1 whole chicken (3-4 lbs): Look for a good-sized bird that’ll feed your crew.
1 cup soy sauce: This is the base of our marinade, so don’t skimp!
1/2 cup packed brown sugar: Gotta have that sweetness! Pack it down tight when you measure.
1/4 cup rice vinegar: This adds a little tang to balance the sweetness.
1/4 cup pineapple juice: Don’t skip this! It’s what makes it *Hawaiian*!
2 tablespoons grated ginger: Fresh ginger is key here, trust me.
2 cloves minced garlic: Because everything’s better with garlic, right?
1 tablespoon sesame oil: This adds a nutty flavor that’s just divine.
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional): For a little kick! Leave it out if you’re spice-averse.

See? Nothing too crazy! Now, let’s get cooking!

How to Make Easy Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken: Step-by-Step Instructions

Okay, here’s the fun part! Let’s turn these ingredients into some seriously delicious Easy Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken. Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think!

Preparing the Huli Huli Chicken Marinade

First things first, we gotta make that amazing marinade! Grab a bowl and whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, pineapple juice, grated ginger, minced garlic, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if you’re using them). Keep whisking until the brown sugar dissolves. You want it nice and smooth!

Marinating the Chicken

Now, for the magic! Plop that whole chicken into a large resealable bag or a big bowl. Pour the marinade all over it, making sure every nook and cranny is covered. Seal the bag (or cover the bowl) and let it hang out in the fridge for at *least* 4 hours. Overnight is even better! Trust me, the longer it marinates, the more flavorful it’ll be!

Grilling Your Huli Huli Chicken

Alright, fire up that grill! You’ll want it at medium heat. Once it’s ready, place the marinated chicken on the grill. Now, this is important: you gotta turn it frequently, like every 10-15 minutes. And don’t forget to baste it with that leftover marinade! This is how you get that gorgeous, sticky glaze. Keep grilling until the chicken is cooked through. A meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh should read 165°F. Careful when basting, it splatters!

Resting and Serving

Almost there! Once the chicken’s cooked, take it off the grill and let it rest for about 10 minutes before carving. This helps the juices redistribute, making it extra juicy and delicious. Then, carve it up and get ready to enjoy!

Tips for the Best Easy Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken

Want to take your Easy Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken from “good” to “OMG AMAZING?” Here are a few of my top tips:

Don’t Skip the Marinating Time

Seriously, folks, this is HUGE! That marinade is what gives the chicken its flavor and keeps it super moist. The longer it sits, the better it gets. So, resist the urge to rush it and let it soak up all that goodness!

Keep Basting While Grilling

Basting isn’t just for show, okay? It’s how you get that beautiful, sticky, caramelized glaze that makes Huli Huli Chicken so irresistible. Plus, it keeps the chicken from drying out on the grill. So, baste, baste, baste!

Use a Meat Thermometer

Nobody wants dry, overcooked chicken! A meat thermometer is your best friend here. Stick it into the thickest part of the thigh and make sure it reads 165°F. It’s the foolproof way to make sure your Easy Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken is cooked perfectly every time!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Easy Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken

Okay, let’s talk about those ingredients a little more. Sometimes you gotta make do with what you’ve got, right? Here are a few notes and easy swaps for this Easy Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken recipe:

Soy Sauce

If you’re watching your sodium intake (and who isn’t, these days?), feel free to use low-sodium soy sauce. It’ll still give you that savory flavor, just without all the salt!

Brown Sugar

Out of brown sugar? No sweat! You can totally use coconut sugar instead. It’ll give you a slightly different flavor, but it’s still delicious!

Red Pepper Flakes

Don’t have red pepper flakes? No problem! Just use a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper instead. But be careful, a little goes a long way!

Serving Suggestions for Your Easy Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken

Alright, you’ve got this amazing Easy Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken… now what do you serve with it? Well, you *gotta* have rice! It’s the perfect base to soak up all that delicious sauce. And definitely grill some pineapple slices alongside the chicken – the caramelized sweetness is just heavenly! Oh, and if you’re feeling extra, a scoop of Hawaiian mac salad is *always* a good idea!

Frequently Asked Questions About Easy Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken

Got questions about making this Easy Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken? I thought so! Here are some of the most common questions I get asked:

What does “Huli Huli” mean?

Good question! “Huli” means “turn” in Hawaiian. It refers to the way the chicken is traditionally cooked – flipped repeatedly over a grill! It’s all about that even cooking and gorgeous caramelization, you know?

Can I bake this Easy Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken in the oven?

Totally! If the weather’s not cooperating or you just don’t feel like grilling, you can bake it. Just preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Baste it with the marinade every 20 minutes or so.

Can I use chicken pieces instead of a whole chicken for this Easy Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken recipe?

Yep, you sure can! Chicken thighs or drumsticks work great. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly. They’ll cook faster than a whole chicken, so keep a close eye on them!

How long does the Easy Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken last in the fridge?

Cooked chicken will keep in the fridge for about 3 days. Just store it in an airtight container. Reheat it gently, so it doesn’t dry out!

Storing and Reheating Your Leftover Easy Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Just pop that Easy Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken in an airtight container and stash it in the fridge. It’ll be good for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to eat, you can reheat it in the oven or microwave. Just don’t overdo it, or it’ll dry out!

Nutritional Information for Easy Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken

Okay, so you’re curious about the nutrition, huh? Just a heads up, these are estimates, but one serving clocks in around 350 calories, 20g fat, and 25g protein. Not too shabby!

Share Your Easy Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken Creation!

Made this Easy Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken? Awesome! I wanna see! Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out. Or even better, snap a pic and share it on social media! Don’t forget to tag me so I can drool over it!