Ingredients
3 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
1 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons freshly grated ginger
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
Optional: Sliced green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together the pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, chicken broth, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil until the sugar is fully dissolved.
Step 2: Reserve 1 cup of the marinade in a separate container and refrigerate; this will be used for basting later.
Step 3: Place the chicken thighs in a large resealable bag or glass container and pour the remaining marinade over them. Seal and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or up to 24 hours for best flavor.
Step 4: Preheat your grill to medium heat (about 350-375°F) and lightly oil the grates.
Step 5: Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the liquid used for soaking. Place the chicken on the grill, skin-side down.
Step 6: Grill the chicken for about 20-25 minutes, turning (huli!) every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking and to prevent the skin from burning.
Step 7: During the final 10 minutes of grilling, begin basting the chicken generously with the reserved marinade every time you flip it.
Step 8: Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes.
Step 9: Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired, and serve immediately with extra glaze.
Notes
For an oven version, bake at 400°F (200°C) for 30-35 minutes, basting every 10 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dishes
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Thigh with Sauce
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: huli huli chicken recipe, Hawaiian BBQ chicken, pineapple chicken marinade, grilled chicken thighs, island style chicken

