Hawaiian Style Huli-Huli Chicken
by Rebecca Matheson Ortiz, Tastemaker in Residence
The Aloha State is known for its stunning tropical beauty, friendly locals and sunny beaches; but its food is often overlooked. And what a shame, really, because this cultural melting pot is loaded with tons of ono grindz (delicious food) from ahi poke and spam musubi to juicy and flavorful huli-huli chicken—a Hawaiian BBQ favorite.
The savory sauce usually is a mixture of soy sauce, pineapple juice, ginger, brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar and garlic. Fire up the grill and make some of your own huli-huli (meaning “turn, turn”) chicken with a side of rice for an authentic taste of the islands.
Ingredients
8 chicken thighs (bone in and skin on for the most flavor)
1 Bottle of Hawaii’s Famous Huli-Huli Sauce (You can make your own, but I find that my favorite comes from this bottle. It can be found at World Market)
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Marinate chicken for 1 hour in most of the bottle of sauce (reserve ¼ cup or so for basting)
- Heat up the grill. Arrange skin-up on grill, season with salt and pepper
- Brush more sauce onto the chicken and when the bottom side begins to brown turn the chicken over and baste more sauce onto the other side
- Continue to turn and baste the chicken with sauce (every few minutes) until cooked through
- Pair with a side of rice and enjoy!
Cook's Note - You can substitute thighs for any cut of chicken.