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Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken

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3.9 from 54 reviews

Savor the tropical essence of Hawaiian cuisine with this Savory Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken Stack. Featuring juicy marinated chicken grilled to perfection, layered over sticky rice and topped with caramelized pineapple slices, this dish offers a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. Ideal for a flavorful dinner that’s both hearty and refreshing.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Marinade

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup fresh pineapple juice
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 tsp sesame oil (optional)
  • 1 pinch chili flakes (optional)

For Serving

  • 2 cups cooked sticky rice (or jasmine rice)
  • 4 slices fresh pineapple (grilled or caramelized)
  • Reserved marinade for basting
  • Chopped green onions (optional)
  • Toasted sesame seeds (optional)
  • Fresh cilantro (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Marinade: In a mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, fresh pineapple juice, brown sugar, ketchup, minced garlic, grated ginger, and optional sesame oil and chili flakes until well combined to create the flavorful marinade.
  2. Marinate the Chicken: Place the boneless chicken thighs in a resealable bag or shallow dish, pour the marinade over the chicken ensuring all pieces are coated, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to deeply infuse.
  3. Cook the Rice: Prepare sticky rice or jasmine rice according to package instructions, keeping it warm and ready for plating.
  4. Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill or grill pan to medium heat, ensuring it’s properly preheated for even cooking.
  5. Grill the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, and grill for about 5 to 6 minutes per side, basting occasionally with the reserved marinade to enhance flavor and moisture, until the chicken is cooked through and has nice grill marks.
  6. Grill the Pineapple: Grill the pineapple slices for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until they are golden brown and caramelized, which will add a lovely sweetness and texture to the dish.
  7. Assemble the Stack: On each plate, place a serving of warm rice, layer the grilled chicken on top, then add the grilled pineapple slices over the chicken.
  8. Garnish and Serve: Drizzle the remaining marinade glaze over the stack and garnish with optional chopped green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and fresh cilantro to add color and fresh flavor before serving.

Notes

  • Marinate the chicken overnight for deeper flavor penetration.
  • Use fresh pineapple juice and fresh pineapple slices for authentic tropical taste.
  • Adjust chili flakes according to your preferred spice level.
  • Sticky rice is traditional but jasmine rice works well as an alternative.
  • Ensure the grill is preheated properly for perfect searing and grill marks.
  • Reserve some marinade before adding chicken to avoid contamination during basting.
  • Garnishes are optional but add freshness and a nice crunch.