Best 6 Huli Huli Chicken Thighs Recipes

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Huli huli chicken thighs are a mouthwatering Hawaiian dish that combines sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. With a crispy exterior and tender, juicy interior, these chicken thighs are perfect for any occasion. The key to this dish is the huli huli sauce, a delectable blend of pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, and spices. This article will provide you with a comprehensive guide to creating the perfect huli huli chicken thighs, ensuring a flavorful and unforgettable culinary experience.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

GRILLED HULI HULI CHICKEN



Grilled Huli Huli Chicken image

I got this grilled huli huli chicken recipe from a friend while living in Hawaii. It sizzles with the flavors of brown sugar, ginger and soy sauce. Huli means "turn" in Hawaiian. This sweet and savory glaze is fantastic on pork chops, too. -Sharon Boling, San Diego, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup ketchup
3/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
1/3 cup sherry or chicken broth
2-1/2 teaspoons minced fresh gingerroot
1-1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
24 boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 6 pounds)

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, mix the first 6 ingredients. Reserve 1-1/3 cups for basting; cover and refrigerate. Divide remaining marinade between 2 large shallow dishes. Add 12 chicken thighs to each; turn to coat. Refrigerate, covered, for 8 hours or overnight., Drain chicken, discarding marinade. , Grill chicken, covered, on an oiled rack over medium heat for 6-8 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 170°; baste occasionally with reserved marinade during the last 5 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 391 calories, Fat 16g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 151mg cholesterol, Sodium 651mg sodium, Carbohydrate 15g carbohydrate (14g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 43g protein.

HULI HULI CHICKEN



Huli Huli Chicken image

'Huli Huli Chicken' (turn, turn) was invented by Ernest Morgado when he cooked teriyaki chicken for a group of farmers in 1955. This has been a Hawaiian staple with sticky rice ever since. This is my family's version of Huli Huli Chicken. Use aji mirin (sweet rice wine) in place of sherry if desired.

Provided by Mama Smith

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Whole Chicken Recipes

Time 4h45m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 (3 pound) chickens, each cut into 8 pieces
1 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
½ cup soy sauce
½ cup brown sugar
⅓ cup ketchup
¼ cup sherry
1 (2 inch) piece fresh ginger, crushed
3 cloves garlic, crushed
4 green onions, chopped
¼ teaspoon dry mustard

Steps:

  • Rinse chicken pieces and pat dry with paper towels. Combine pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, sherry, ginger, garlic, green onions, and dry mustard in a large resealable plastic bag, stirring the marinade until brown sugar has dissolved. Place chicken pieces into the bag, squeeze out air, seal bag, and lomi (massage) bag to coat chicken with marinade. Refrigerate at least 4 hours to overnight.
  • Move an oven rack 6 inches from heat source and preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
  • Remove chicken from marinade and arrange chicken, skin sides up, on a broiler pan.
  • Bake chicken in preheated oven until browned on both sides and the juices run clear, turning every 10 minutes, 30 to 45 minutes. Baste with remaining marinade after each turning. An instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest piece of chicken, not touching bone, should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 526.8 calories, Carbohydrate 23.6 g, Cholesterol 145.5 mg, Fat 25.8 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 47.5 g, SaturatedFat 7.2 g, Sodium 1204 mg, Sugar 19.3 g

HULI HULI CHICKEN THIGHS



Huli Huli Chicken Thighs image

I'm allergic to store-bought barbecue sauces, so when I found a marinade recipe I could use, I tweaked it a little and began using it with chicken thighs. My fiance loves this over Parmesan couscous.-Erin Rockwell, Lowell, Massachusetts

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 4h10m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
3/4 cup ketchup
1/3 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
3 tablespoons brown sugar
3 tablespoons lime juice
1 garlic clove, minced
8 boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 2 pounds)
Hot cooked rice
Thinly sliced green onions, optional

Steps:

  • Mix first six ingredients. Place chicken in a 3-qt. slow cooker; top with pineapple mixture., Cook, covered, on low until chicken is tender, 4-5 hours. Serve with rice. If desired, top with green onions.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 239 calories, Fat 8g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 76mg cholesterol, Sodium 733mg sodium, Carbohydrate 19g carbohydrate (16g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

HULI HULI CHICKEN ON THE GRILL



Huli Huli Chicken on the Grill image

Provided by Guy Fieri

Categories     main-dish

Time 2h25m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

1/2 cup kosher salt
1/2 cup sugar
3 bay leaves
3 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
3 cups ice
One 5- to 7-pound whole chicken
1 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 tablespoons garlic powder
2 tablespoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon paprika
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Freshly cracked black pepper
1 lemon, juiced

Steps:

  • Begin by placing the whole chicken, breast-side down, on the preparation surface. Using kitchen shears, remove the backbone by cutting up from the tailbone to the neck on both sides. Open the bird, remove the breastbone and wishbone. Make small cuts on both sides below the thighs to tuck the wings under so you have a flattened "spatchcock" chicken.
  • To a small saucepan, add 1 cup water, the salt, sugar, bay leaves and garlic cloves. Bring to a simmer to dissolve the salt and sugar. Once at a simmer, turn off the heat and add the ice. Once the liquid is cool, place into a resealable bag over a bowl and add the chicken to the brine, making sure it is completely submersed. Allow to brine in the fridge for 1 hour.
  • In a small saucepot over medium-low heat, combine the pineapple juice, ketchup, soy sauce and sherry vinegar. Once the liquid simmers, whisk in the brown sugar and ginger. Continue to simmer until the liquid begins to thicken, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand (or prepare ahead and refrigerate until ready for use). Once ready for use, reserve about a cup to serve.
  • Preheat a grill to medium heat.
  • Remove the chicken from the brine and pat dry. Thoroughly mix the garlic powder, salt, paprika, cayenne, onion powder, cumin and some black pepper together in a small bowl. Coat the chicken with the dry rub, making sure to sprinkle well inside the cavity. Lay the chicken flat on the preparation surface, making a neat, rectangular package with the thighs tucked next to the breasts and the wings inserted into the slits.
  • Secure the chicken in a medium rectangular wire-mesh grilling basket and set over an open grill flame. Char with the breast side down first, 7 to 8 minutes. Turn once and continue to grill, bone-side down for another 15 minutes.
  • Continue to turn as it cooks so it doesn't burn and it replicates the Huli Huli machine cooking process. Squeeze the lemon juice over the chicken as you turn it. Finish by alternating sides until the chicken is thoroughly browned, the skin is crispy and a digital instant-read thermometer tucked under the breast confirms the internal temperature is 165 degrees F. The total cook time will be 35 to 40 minutes. With a heat-resistant silicone pastry brush, glaze the chicken with the Huli Huli sauce the last 5 minutes. Remove from the basket and allow the chicken to rest for 6 to 8 minutes.
  • Carve the chicken into breasts, thighs and wings. Arrange on a large serving dish alongside the reserved Huli Huli sauce.

HULI HULI CHICKEN



Huli Huli Chicken image

In 1955, Ernest Morgado, a Honolulu businessman, served a group of farmers grilled chicken that had been marinated in his mother's teriyaki-style sauce. It was such a hit that he decided to market it with the name "huli huli." Huli means "turn" in Hawaiian and refers to how it's prepared: grilled between two racks and turned halfway through cooking. This simplified version calls for chicken pieces and a standard grill. The original recipe is a trade secret, but you can find many slightly different variations on the internet, typically including ginger, garlic, soy sauce, something sweet (honey, brown sugar or maple syrup) and something acidic (vinegar, white wine, lime juice or pineapple juice). This recipe is adapted from "Aloha Kitchen: Recipes from Hawai'i" by Alana Kysar (Ten Speed, March 2019). It also works beautifully with boneless chicken thighs, but adjust your cooking time accordingly.

Provided by Margaux Laskey

Categories     dinner, barbecues, poultry, main course

Time 8h45m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
1/4 cup rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
2 to 3 garlic cloves, peeled and finely grated
3 1/2 to 4 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces
Grapeseed or canola oil, for brushing the grill grate

Steps:

  • In a large bowl or a gallon-size resealable plastic bag, combine the ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ginger and garlic, and stir or shake until combined. Reserve and refrigerate 1/2 cup of the mixture for basting the chicken later. Add the chicken to the remaining mixture, and stir or shake until evenly coated. If using a bowl, cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight, or at least 8 hours, turning the chicken at least once.
  • When you're ready to cook, oil your grill grates well. Heat the grill to medium (for charcoal, the grill is ready when you can hold your hand 5 inches above the coals for 5 to 7 seconds). Add the chicken to the grill, cover, and cook 25 to 35 minutes, turning every 5 minutes to keep the chicken from burning, and basting it with the reserved marinade after you turn it, until cooked through. (Cook times will vary depending on sizes and cuts of chicken pieces, so be sure to check for doneness: Meat should not be pink and the juices should run clear.) Serve immediately.

BROILED HULI HULI CHICKEN



Broiled Huli Huli Chicken image

My friends used to live in Hawaii and made this juicy chicken that is full of flavor. It's so easy to make! I serve it over over rice and add my favorite vegetable as a side.

Provided by Aimee Louise

Time 1h40m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 9

4 pounds skin-on chicken pieces
1 teaspoon salt, or as needed
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1 (1/2 inch) piece ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
¼ cup dark brown sugar
¼ cup soy sauce
¼ cup chicken broth
3 tablespoons pineapple juice
2 tablespoons rice vinegar

Steps:

  • Season chicken with salt on top of and underneath the skin. Set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  • Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler. Line a broiler pan with foil.
  • Pulse garlic and ginger in a food processor until combined. Add brown sugar, soy sauce, chicken broth, pineapple juice, and rice vinegar; process until well combined. Strain marinade into a bowl, pressing with the back of a spoon to remove all liquid. Discard pulp.
  • Blot chicken with paper towels to remove excess salt and moisture. Place skin-side down on the prepared broiler pan.
  • Cook under the preheated broiler, turning every 5 minutes, until raw surface have cooked, about 20 minutes. Continue to cook, turning and basting with the marinade every 5 minutes until well browned, another 20 minutes. Cover with foil and cook for 10 more minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 514.4 calories, Carbohydrate 8.5 g, Cholesterol 190.9 mg, Fat 34.7 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 39.8 g, SaturatedFat 9.9 g, Sodium 952.7 mg, Sugar 7.4 g

Tips:

  • Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for the best flavor and texture.
  • Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight, to allow the flavors to penetrate.
  • Cook the chicken over medium-high heat to get a nice sear on the outside and cook the chicken through.
  • Baste the chicken with the marinade while it cooks to keep it moist and flavorful.
  • Serve the chicken with your favorite sides, such as rice, roasted vegetables, or salad.

Conclusion:

Huli huli chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a summer cookout or potluck. The chicken is marinated in a flavorful mixture of soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and pineapple juice, then grilled or baked until cooked through. The result is a tender and juicy chicken with a slightly sweet and tangy flavor. Whether you serve it with rice, roasted vegetables, or salad, huli huli chicken is sure to be a hit.

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