Huli huli chicken is a traditional Hawaiian grilled dish marinated in pineapple juice, soy sauce, ginger and sriracha, then basted repeatedly until deeply caramelized and sticky. The long marinade (24–48 hours) and constant basting technique are what make it distinctively glossy and flavorful.
Check what you already have. We'll leave it off your shopping list.
CookOS may earn a commission from Instacart orders.
Prices vary by store
*Service fees apply. Instacart® and the Instacart logo are registered trademarks of Maplebear Inc. d/b/a Instacart.
Mix marinade, set aside 3/4 cup (185 ml) for basting.
Pour the rest over the chicken in a glass or ceramic container (not metal or plastic), coat chicken then marinade 24 - 48 hours.
Brush BBQ grills with oil then preheat to medium high, or heat oil in a skillet over medium high heat.
Drain excess marinade from chicken, place on BBQ/skillet.
If using thighs, cook the first side for 4 minutes until golden (adjust heat if browning too fast), then flip and cook for 3 minutes. For breast, cook for 3 minutes on each side.
Baste (dab) generously with reserved marinade, then flip and cook for 1 minute.
Repeat this every minute or so for a total cook time of 10 minutes, or until internal temp in the thickest part registers 75°C/167°F (for thigh) or 65°C / 150°F (for breast).
Transfer chicken to a plate, loosely cover with foil and rest for 3 minutes before serving, garnished with green onion if desired.
Store leftover cooked chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in a 160°C/320°F oven for 10–12 minutes to avoid drying out. Uncooked marinated chicken keeps up to 2 days in the fridge in a glass or ceramic container.
BBQ grill or large skillet · Glass or ceramic container for marinating (do not use metal or plastic)
No. Fresh or pureed pineapple contains enzymes that over-tenderize the chicken. Use canned, bottled, or vacuum-packed pineapple juice from the aisles instead.
Best results are 24–48 hours, but you can marinate for 3 hours minimum if short on time—just baste extra generously during cooking.
Cook thighs to an internal temperature of 75°C/167°F or chicken breast to 65°C/150°F at the thickest part. Thighs take ~10 minutes total; breast cooks slightly faster.
Either works. Preheat a BBQ grill to medium-high or heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Both methods produce the same caramelized result.
Yes. Reduce the first side cook time to 3 minutes (instead of 4), then flip and cook 3 minutes on the other side before basting. Total cook time remains ~10 minutes.
