Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken

If there’s one grilled chicken to try, it’s Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken. “Huli-huli” means “turn-turn” and was well known as a “Hawaiian-only” food. Not anymore ’cause the secret’s out. Make this tender, mouthwatering chicken easily at home.

We’re grasping every last wisp of summer with this Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken.

Food nerd note: Huli Huli refers to the turn-turn grill method used in Hawaii. This particular recipe for Hawaiian BBQ chicken was known as a Hawaii-only food when it first hit the scene back in the 1950’s, and quickly became a huge hit (you’ll see why when you taste this.)

Thankfully, it’s a secret no longer and we can all enjoy this crazy-delish chicken on our own grills, whenever the craving for really good chicken comes calling.

Our family loves this recipe so dang much, we are certain you guys will flip (turn-turn) over it.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 lbs boneless/skinless chicken breasts or thighs (thighs will be a bit more tender)
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup regular soy sauce
• 1/4 cup sherry
• 2 tsp fresh ginger, minced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• Optional: green onions, sliced thinly for garnish over cooked chicken

DESCRIPTION

If there’s one grilled chicken to try, it’s Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken. “Huli-huli” means “turn-turn” and was well known as a “Hawaiian-only” food. Not anymore ’cause the secret’s out. Make this tender, mouthwatering chicken easily at home. Be sure to give it plenty of marinade time.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Towel dry the chicken pieces well. Use a fork to pierce chicken pieces throughout.
2. In a bowl, combine all remaining ingredients to make the marinade. Reserve 2/3 cup of marinade for a basting sauce. Pour rest of marinade over towel dried/pierced chicken pieces in a large bowl, turning chicken to thoroughly coat well. Cover and chill overnight, or at least 8 hours. Turn once or twice during marinade time to ensure even marinating.
3. Drain/discard used marinade from chicken pieces. Grease grill and heat to medium high heat. Grill chicken 4-5 minutes per side, or just until center is no longer pink; do not over-cook. Baste with the 2/3 cup reserved sauce during the last couple of minutes during grill time (if you start basting too early, it will be more likely to burn.)