Zesty Baked Huli Huli Chicken Recipe: A Taste of Paradise

Tropical breezes and island flavors collide in this mouthwatering Huli Huli chicken recipe that captures Hawaii’s culinary spirit.

Juicy chicken marinated in a tangy, sweet sauce brings the essence of Pacific cuisine right to your kitchen.

Tender pieces of meat absorb an incredible blend of soy, ginger, and brown sugar that creates depth of incredible flavor.

The marinade works magic, infusing each bite with rich, caramelized notes that dance across your palate.

Grilling transforms this dish into a smoky, succulent masterpiece that transports you to a sunny Hawaiian beach.

This recipe promises to be your new favorite summer meal, delivering restaurant-quality taste with minimal effort.

Fire up the grill and get ready to savor every delicious moment of this island-inspired classic.

FAQs

• What is Huli Huli Chicken?

Huli Huli Chicken is a Hawaiian-style barbecue chicken dish featuring a sweet and tangy sauce made with pineapple juice, soy sauce, and brown sugar, traditionally grilled but in this recipe, baked in the oven.

• Why use cornstarch in the sauce?

Cornstarch acts as a thickening agent, helping the sauce become more viscous and coat the chicken evenly, creating a glossy and rich glaze that caramelizes beautifully during baking.

• Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, but chicken thighs are recommended because they’re more flavorful, juicy, and less likely to dry out during baking compared to leaner chicken breasts.

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Ingredients for Baked Huli Huli Chicken

• Chicken Thighs: Bone-in and skin-on thighs provide rich flavor and tender meat for this classic Hawaiian-style dish.

• Pineapple Juice: Adds sweet tropical flavor and helps tenderize the chicken.
• Soy Sauce, Chicken Broth: Create a savory base that enhances the overall depth of the sauce.
• Brown Sugar: Contributes sweetness and helps create a caramelized glaze.
• Ketchup: Provides tangy richness and helps thicken the sauce.

• Garlic, Ginger: Add bold, aromatic notes that are essential to the Hawaiian-inspired flavor profile.
• Sesame Oil: Brings a nutty, distinctive taste to the sauce.

• Cornstarch, Water: Creates a slurry that helps the sauce reach the perfect consistency.

• Fresh Pineapple Slices, Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Add freshness, color, and extra texture to the finished dish.

How to Nail Baked Huli Huli Chicken

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Turn the oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread chicken thighs in a single layer inside a large baking dish.

Step 2: Create Flavor-Packed Sauce

• Pineapple juice
• Soy sauce
• Brown sugar
• Ketchup
• Chicken broth
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Sesame oil

Heat the mixture over medium heat until it reaches a gentle boil.

Step 3: Develop Sauce Consistency

Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Watch for a slight thickening of the liquid.

Step 4: Prepare Thickening Agent

In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water to create a smooth slurry.

Whisk this into the simmering sauce until it becomes noticeably thicker.

Step 5: Coat and Bake Chicken

Pour the sauce completely over the chicken thighs, ensuring each piece is generously covered.

Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven.

Step 6: Achieve Perfect Doneness

Bake for 45-60 minutes.

Halfway through cooking, baste the chicken with additional sauce. Confirm doneness when internal temperature hits 165°F (74°C) and sauce looks beautifully caramelized.

Step 7: Rest and Decorate

• Fresh pineapple slices
• Sliced green onions
• Sprinkle of sesame seeds

Tips for Perfect Baked Huli Huli Chicken

• Let chicken sit in sauce for 30 minutes before baking to enhance taste and tenderness.
• Adjust cornstarch slurry carefully to prevent sauce from becoming too thin or too thick.
• Cover dish with foil if sauce starts caramelizing too quickly to avoid charring.
• Use meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches exact 165F for perfect doneness and food safety.
• Taste sauce before pouring to adjust sugar and soy sauce levels for ideal flavor profile.

Flavor Variations for Baked Huli Huli Chicken

• Low-Sodium Hawaiian Chicken: Replace soy sauce with coconut aminos and reduce sodium chicken broth for a heart-friendly version.
• Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken: Use identical ingredients but cook in a crockpot on low for 6-7 hours instead of baking, creating tender meat with minimal effort.
• Grilled Huli Huli Chicken: Marinate chicken in sauce for 2 hours, then grill over medium-high heat, basting frequently for authentic Hawaiian barbecue flavor.
• Gluten-Free Island Chicken: Substitute soy sauce with tamari, use gluten-free ketchup, and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free for sensitive diets.

What to Serve with Baked Huli Huli Chicken

• Elevate Tropical Rice Pairing: Serve alongside coconut-infused jasmine rice that complements the sweet and tangy Hawaiian-style sauce, absorbing the rich flavors perfectly.
• Refreshing Beverage Match: Pour a crisp, chilled Hawaiian POG (Passion-Orange-Guava) juice or a light, fruity white wine like Riesling to balance the chicken's caramelized glaze.
• Fresh Side Salad Complement: Create a zesty island-inspired coleslaw with shredded cabbage, mango chunks, and a lime-cilantro dressing that cuts through the sauce's richness and adds bright, fresh notes.
• Garnish Enhancement: Sprinkle toasted macadamia nuts over the chicken for an extra layer of tropical crunch that echoes the Hawaiian-inspired flavor profile.

Storing Baked Huli Huli Chicken So It Stays Delicious

• Store leftover Huli Huli chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap chicken pieces tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Freezes well for up to 3 months. Label with date and contents.
• Place chicken in microwave-safe dish, cover with damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until internal temperature reaches 165F. Add splash of chicken broth to prevent drying.
• Preheat oven to 350F. Place chicken in baking dish, cover with foil. Warm for 15-20 minutes, adding small amount of sauce or broth to maintain moisture.

Baked Huli Huli Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hawaiian huli huli chicken brings island magic to your dinner table with sweet and tangy flavors. Marinated chicken grills to perfection, promising a delightful culinary journey that transports you straight to tropical paradise.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) pineapple juice
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) soy sauce
• 1/2 cup (100 grams) brown sugar, packed
• 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) ketchup
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons (30 grams) fresh ginger, grated
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) sesame oil

Thickening and Garnish:

• 1 tablespoon (15 grams) cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) water
• Fresh pineapple slices, for garnish (optional)
• Green onions, sliced for garnish (optional)
• Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Heat oven to 375F (190C) and position chicken thighs in a single, even layer within a large baking dish.
2. Craft a vibrant sauce by combining pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, chicken broth, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil in a saucepan.
3. Activate medium heat, bringing the sauce to a gentle simmer and allowing flavors to meld for approximately 10 minutes, stirring periodically until it slightly condenses.
4. Create a cornstarch slurry by whisking cornstarch with water until smooth, then integrate into the simmering sauce, stirring continuously to achieve a glossy, thickened consistency.
5. Generously drench chicken thighs with the prepared sauce, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated and glistening.
6. Roast in the preheated oven for 45-60 minutes, monitoring until chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165F (74C) and sauce develops a rich, caramelized glaze.
7. Midway through cooking, baste chicken with additional sauce to enhance flavor and promote even caramelization.
8. Allow chicken to rest for several minutes after removing from oven, enabling juices to redistribute.
9. Optional: Embellish with fresh pineapple slices, delicate green onion slivers, and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for a final flourish.

Notes

• Marinate chicken overnight for deeper flavor infusion and more tender meat.
• Use low-sodium soy sauce to control salt levels and accommodate dietary restrictions.
• For crispy exterior, broil chicken for 2-3 minutes after baking to caramelize sauce perfectly.
• Replace regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to maintain authentic taste profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Hawaiian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 368 kcal
• Sugar: 17 g
• Sodium: 1050 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 29 g
• Cholesterol: 115 mg