• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Dishes With Dad
  • Home
  • Browse Recipes
    • Appetizer Recipes
    • Salads
    • Soups
    • Main Dishes
      • Pasta
      • Poultry
      • Meats
      • Grilling
    • Side Dishes
    • Breakfast Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
  • Weeknight Meals
  • About Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Easter
  • Weeknight
  • About
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Easter
  • Weeknight
  • About
×

Home » Recipes » Chicken Recipes

Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken Kebabs

Published: Jun 15, 2022 · Modified: Jul 17, 2022 by Scott · This post may contain affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken kebab recipe features chunks of chicken marinated in a sweet and tangy huli huli sauce with peppers, onion, and pineapple. It's an easy flavorful dish that's perfect for summer grilling.

Grilled Hawaiian chicken kebabs served on a platter.
Jump to:
  • What is Huli Huli Chicken?
  • Why this recipe works
  • Ingredient Notes
  • How to Make Hawaiian Huli Huli Sauce
  • How to Cook Huli Huli Chicken Kebabs
  • What to serve with Huli Huli Chicken
  • No grill, no problem!
  • Recipe Tips and FAQs
  • More Grilled Chicken Recipes
  • 📖 Recipe
  • You may also like

What is Huli Huli Chicken?

Huli Huli chicken is a Hawaiian grilled chicken dish that was created by Ernest Morgado in the 1950's. It's traditionally prepared by cooking whole chicken on spits over a mesquite wood fire. In fact the word huli means "turn" in Hawaiian.

It first became popular as a dish served at charity fundraisers for churches, schools and groups. Today the dish is often found at restaurants, roadside stands, and markets in Hawaii.

Why this recipe works

The quick and easy huli huli sauce is sweet and tangy and a bit like teriyaki sauce. It is used as a marinade and also to baste the chicken as it cooks. Though traditionally whole chickens are used, I like to make huli huli chicken kebabs for a quick version at home. These Hawaiian grilled chicken skewers cook fast and are an easy flavorful dish for summer nights!

For another awesome chicken kebab recipe, check out my grilled chicken souvlaki kebabs!

Ingredient Notes

The original huli huli sauce recipe was trademarked and bottled by Morgado so the exact recipe is a trade secret, but this version replicates the classic flavors.

  • Chicken - I like to use chicken breasts for these chicken kebabs, but boneless skinless thighs work great too.
  • Vinegar - The rice vinegar can be substituted with another mild vinegar.
  • Sherry - The sherry adds depth to the sauce, but if you want to substitute it you can use chicken broth.
Ingredients for huli huli chicken sauce shown arranged on a counter.

How to Make Hawaiian Huli Huli Sauce

  1. Add all of the ingredients for the sauce to a mixing bowl and stir to combine.
  2. Reserve around half of the sauce for basting. Place the cubed chicken in a large resealable plastic bag and pour the remaining half of the sauce over top. Seal the bag and toss to coat, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours, up to 24 hours.
Huli huli sauce shown in  a mixing bowl.

How to Cook Huli Huli Chicken Kebabs

  1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
  2. Thread the chicken, peppers, onion, and pineapple chunks onto your skewers.
Cut vegetables and pineapple for chicken kebabs shown on a cutting board.
Prepared chicken kebabs shown on a sheet pan.
  1. Place the skewers on the grill. Turn and baste the chicken with the reserved huli huli sauce every 2-3 minutes until the chicken is cooked through, around 8-10 minutes.
Chicken kebabs coated in huli huli sauce being cooked on a grill.

What to serve with Huli Huli Chicken

These sticky sweet grilled chicken kebabs are packed with flavor. And they already have peppers and onions, so I like to keep it simple with a side of steamed white rice and grilled pineapple slices. A creamy Hawaiian macaroni salad is another classic side dish for huli huli chicken.

Grilled Hawaiian huli huli chicken kebabs served on a platter.

No grill, no problem!

This huli huli chicken can also be cooked in your oven broiler. Preheat the broiler to high and place a rack in the top position. Place the chicken skewers on a broiler pan and transfer to the oven. Cook for 10-12 minutes rotating occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through.

Recipe Tips and FAQs

Cut evenly

When prepping your vegetables and chicken for the kebabs, try to keep everything a similar size so they will cook evenly. I aim for around 1 inch pieces.

Also, when threading the meat and veggies on the skewers look for similar sized pieces. I usually end up with a kebab of smaller pieces. But keeping those together allows you to cook them for a shorter time than the larger pieces.

How to store leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 325°F oven or in the microwave.

How can I make this spicy?

If you want to make spicy huli huli chicken add 1-2 teaspoons of crushed red pepper and sriracha sauce to taste.

Can I make this ahead?

The huli huli sauce can be made up to 2 weeks ahead. And the chicken can be marinated for up to 24 hours before cooking.

You can also Freeze the chicken in the marinade. When ready to, use allow it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator then cook as directed.

If you try this recipe, don't forget to leave a RATING or COMMENT below. I would love to hear from you!!! And FOLLOW me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram for all the latest recipes!

More Grilled Chicken Recipes

  • Grilled Chicken with Cilantro Lime Marinade
  • Grilled Chicken Souvlaki
  • Grilled Jerk Chicken
  • Grilled Chicken Legs
  • Grilled Chicken Margherita with Pesto

📖 Recipe

Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken Kebabs

This Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken kebab recipe features chunks of chicken marinated in a sweet and tangy huli huli sauce with peppers, onion, and pineapple. It's an easy flavorful dish that's perfect for summer grilling.
Author: Scott
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Marinating Time: 2 hrs
Total Time: 2 hrs 20 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 449kcal

Equipment

  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Cutting board
  • Chefs Knife
  • mixing bowl

Ingredients

Huli Huli Sauce

  • ½ cup ketchup
  • ½ cup low sodium soy sauce
  • ¼ cup rice vinegar
  • ¼ cup sherry
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 3 garlic cloves , minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger , grated

For the kebabs

  • 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1 inch chunks
  • 1 pineapple, cut into 1 inch chunks
  • 1 medium onion, cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 2 medium bell peppers, cut into 1 inch pieces

Instructions

  • Add all of the ingredients for the sauce to a mixing bowl and stir to combine.
  • Reserve around half of the sauce for basting. Then place the chicken in a large resealable plastic bag and pour the remaining half of the sauce over top. Seal the bag and toss to coat, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours, up to 24 hours.
  • Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
  • Thread the chicken, peppers, onion, and pineapple chunks onto your skewers.
  • Place the kebabs on the grill. Turn and baste the chicken with the reserved huli huli sauce every 2-3 minutes until the chicken is cooked through, around 8-10 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 449kcalCarbohydrates: 65gProtein: 37gFat: 5gCholesterol: 83mgSodium: 1989mgPotassium: 814mgFiber: 4gSugar: 29g

* All nutrition information we provide are estimates based on third party calculators. We encourage you to calculate these on your own for accurate results.

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Hawaiian
Tried this recipe?Don't forget to leave a rating above and mention @disheswithdad or tag #disheswithdad on social media!

You may also like

  • Close up view of the finished grilled peach pizza.
    Grilled Peach Pizza with Balsamic Glaze
  • chicken souvlaki pita
    Greek Chicken Souvlaki Kebabs
  • Overhead image of the steak kabobs served on an oval platter atop a salad of baby arugula, heirloom tomatoes, and burrata cheese, with a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
    Grilled Balsamic Steak Salad
  • Grilled pork chops shown on a wood cutting board.
    Grilled Bone-In Pork Chops
  • Grilled flank steak served on a platter.
    Grilled Flank Steak
  • Grilled lamb kebabs served with warm pita bread, a bowl of fresh tzatziki sauce, and fresh tomatoes and cucumbers.
    Greek Yogurt Marinated Lamb Kebabs
Share this post:
« Grilled Chicken with Cilantro Lime Marinade
Grilled Squash and Zucchini Foil Pack »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

About Me

Hello, I'm Scott! ! I'm a former professional cook and a long-time home cook. I created this space to share my favorite quick and easy, family-friendly recipes and hopefully inspire you to try some of them for yourself!

Read More →

Easter Favorites

  • Overhead view of a plate with a serving of breakfast casserole set beside the baking dish.
    Spinach and Mushroom Breakfast Casserole
  • Close up of a slice of brioche French toast casserole on a plate.
    Brioche French Toast Casserole
  • Hashbrown and Sausage Breakfast Casserole
  • Roast beef shown sliced on a cutting board served with horseradish cream sauce.
    Pepper Crusted Roast Beef
  • Smoked leg of lamb shown on a sheet pan with roasted potatoes and asparagus.
    Smoked Leg of Lamb
  • Broccoli Salad {Chicken Salad Chick Copycat}

See More →

Featured Recipes

  • Side angle view of a serving of creamy chicken and rice casserole with broccoli shown set beside a casserole dish.
    Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole (Without Soup!)
  • Chicken enchiladas with green sauce served on a plate.
    Enchiladas with Green Sauce
  • close up of a baking dish of fresh homemade lasagna.
    Lasagna with Homemade Noodles
  • Instant pot pork roast served on a dish with potatoes and carrots.
    Instant Pot Pork Roast and Potatoes
  • Close up of a slice of brioche French toast casserole on a plate.
    Brioche French Toast Casserole
  • A large bowl of Tuscan chicken pasta with spinach and sun dried tomatoes in a creamy sauce topped with grated Parmesan cheese.
    Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Accessibility

Follow on Social

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Newsletter



Copyright © 2023 Dishes With Dad