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.
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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.
How to Make Hawaiian Huli Huli Sauce
- Add all of the ingredients for the sauce to a mixing bowl and stir to combine.
- 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.
How to Cook Huli Huli Chicken Kebabs
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- Thread the chicken, peppers, onion, and pineapple chunks onto your skewers.
- 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.
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.
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
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.
Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 325°F oven or in the microwave.
If you want to make spicy huli huli chicken add 1-2 teaspoons of crushed red pepper and sriracha sauce to taste.
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.
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
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
* All nutrition information we provide are estimates based on third party calculators. We encourage you to calculate these on your own for accurate results.
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