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Huli Huli Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 133 reviews

Huli Huli Chicken is a flavorful Hawaiian grilled chicken dish featuring a sweet, tangy, and smoky sauce made from soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, and smoked paprika. Marinated boneless chicken thighs are grilled to juicy perfection and basted with a rich homemade sauce that caramelizes beautifully over the heat, perfect for a savory and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Sauce

  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 2 large garlic cloves, minced
  • ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • ¼ cup cool water (for slurry)

For the Chicken

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • Vegetable oil (for greasing the grill or pan)

Instructions

  1. Make the Marinade: Heat sesame oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add grated fresh ginger and minced garlic, cooking until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, and smoked paprika. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with ¼ cup of cool water to create a slurry. Add this slurry to the saucepan, stir until combined, and bring the mixture to a boil. Simmer for 3-4 minutes or until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and set aside.
  2. Marinate the Chicken: Reserve ½ cup of the sauce for basting later. Transfer the remaining sauce to a large bowl and allow it to cool for 5 minutes. Add the chicken thighs to the bowl and toss well to coat with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate the chicken for up to 4 hours to absorb the flavors.
  3. Grill the Chicken: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and brush the grill grates with vegetable oil to prevent sticking. Place the marinated chicken thighs on the grill and cook for 4 to 6 minutes on one side. Brush with half of the reserved sauce, flip the chicken, and cook for another 2 to 4 minutes. Flip the chicken once more, baste with the remaining sauce, and grill for an additional 2 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. The sauce will caramelize and create a sticky glaze.
  4. Serve: Remove the grilled chicken from the grill and transfer it to a serving platter. Serve hot with your favorite side dishes such as steamed rice, grilled vegetables, or a fresh salad.

Notes

  • For best results, marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours but no longer than 4 hours to prevent the acid in the marinade from breaking down the meat too much.
  • Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for juicier meat that stays tender and flavorful on the grill.
  • If you don’t have a grill, you can cook the chicken in a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat, following similar cooking times.
  • Adjust the sweetness by reducing or increasing the amount of brown sugar to suit your taste preferences.
  • Serve with steamed rice and grilled pineapple for an authentic Hawaiian meal experience.

Keywords: Huli Huli Chicken, Hawaiian Chicken, Grilled Chicken Thighs, Sweet Soy Chicken, Hawaiian BBQ, Grilled Chicken Recipe

Find it online: https://tastewithamy.com/huli-huli-chicken-recipe/