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Sink your teeth into tender chicken covered in a bright, sweet glaze, and you’ll feel like you’re on a sunny island vacation. Add some grilled pineapple slices, sticky sauce, and you get punchy tropical flavors that light up any backyard BBQ or big crowd dinner.
The first time this showed up at my place for a Hawaiian-themed dinner, it vanished so fast I barely snagged a serving. Now friends won’t let up—they always want this when it’s time to fire up the grill.
Yummy Ingredients
- Pineapple juice: brings that blast of sweetness—try to find one without extra sugar
- Brown sugar: melts into the sauce for a thick, sticky bite—use the soft kind
- Fresh ginger: grating it fresh sets the flavor on fire
- Teriyaki sauce: homemade is awesome, but store-bought is great too
- Boneless chicken thighs or breasts: pick ones that aren’t watery—juicy and firm works best
- Garlic: fresh cloves really amp up the taste
- Sesame seeds and green onions: totally optional, but sprinkle them on for some crunch and color pop
- Sesame oil: toasted adds a deep, nutty aroma
- Soy sauce: umami booster—low sodium is perfect if you have it
- Fresh pineapple: choose one that’s got golden skin and feels heavy for the best slices
Awesome Step-by-Step Guide
- Make the Marinade:
- Grab a big bowl and mix pineapple juice, teriyaki, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil. Keep stirring till the sugar’s gone and everything’s smooth.
- Marinate the Chicken:
- Drop the chicken into a dish or zip bag, cover it with your marinade, and make sure every piece gets coated. Pop it in the fridge, give it at least a couple of hours or leave it overnight if you have time—it soaks up more flavor.
- Heat the Grill:
- Turn the grill on medium-high and let it warm up so nothing sticks when it’s time to cook.
- Grill the Chicken:
- Shake off excess marinade—save some for brushing—and toss the chicken on hot grates. Let it cook, flipping just once, about six or seven minutes per side. Brush on more marinade for awesome shine and flavor.
- Grill the Pineapple:
- Pop the pineapple rings on the grill while the chicken cooks. Two to three minutes per side should get you nice grill marks and caramel flavor.
- Finish and Serve:
- Move the chicken to a plate, lay the pineapple over, and hit with a sprinkle of green onions and sesame seeds for extra color and crunch.
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Pineapple always gives me beach day vibes. When you top hot-off-the-grill chicken with it, you’re basically throwing yourself a backyard summer party—sticky hands and extra glaze totally included.
Keep It Fresh
Pop leftovers in an airtight tub and stash it in the fridge—they’ll be good for up to three days. Want simple lunches? Just portion chicken and pineapple into smaller containers. If you’re freezing it, leave out the pineapple so it doesn’t go all soft.
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Switch It Up
Chicken thighs give you the juiciest outcome, but if you’ve only got breasts, pound them thin to help them cook evenly. Gluten-free? Swap soy with tamari or coconut aminos. No fresh pineapple around? Canned rings will do—just rinse off the syrup.
Different Ways To Serve
Spoon up chicken and pineapple over some jasmine rice, tuck it in slider buns, or serve it beside grilled corn and a bright lime slaw. It’s good every way.
Famous Huli Huli Chicken
Huli means “turn” in Hawaiian—people used to flip the chicken a ton while it cooked. This classic came together in the 1950s and quickly turned into everyone’s backyard meal for family and friends.
FAQs About the Recipe
- → What makes Huli Huli chicken special?
This is Hawaii’s famous dish where chicken gets juicy in a sweet, tangy mix of soy sauce and pineapple, then cooks hot and gets brushed a bunch for smoky, bold flavors.
- → How long do I need to soak the chicken?
A few hours is the minimum, but overnight in the marinade is best. It helps those flavors really sink into the chicken.
- → Is it okay to swap in chicken breasts?
You bet! Either thighs or breasts will do. With breasts, just keep an eye out so they stay tender and juicy—pull them a bit sooner from the grill if needed.
- → Tips for getting those good pineapple lines on the grill?
Fire up your grill super hot, put the pineapple slices on, and give a gentle press. Those caramelized lines pop up after a quick few minutes on each side.
- → Why should I brush on marinade while grilling?
Brushing as you grill keeps every bite juicy and sticky, and that glossy outside is everyone’s favorite part.
- → What can I serve with this dish?
Some fluffy rice, crisp salad, or even fresh veggies go great. They balance the sweet and tangy chicken and pineapple just right.