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Grilled Huli Huli Chicken Thighs

Grilled Huli Huli Chicken Thighs

By Dennis Prescott

Juicy, smoky, and dripping with sweet and savory Hawaiian flavor, this Huli Huli chicken is made for the Traeger. Marinated in a mix of soy sauce, pineapple juice, and brown sugar, it caramelizes to perfection on the grill. Serve up this grilled chicken island-style with grilled pineapple spears and your favorite sides.

Prep Time

10 Min

Cook Time

30 Min

Pellets

Apple
Yields: 4 Servings

Ingredients

Marinade
1 Cuplight soy sauce
6 Clovegarlic, minced
1 (2-inch) piece fresh ginger, minced
8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Sauce
1 Cuppineapple juice
1/3 Cuplight soy sauce
1/4 Cuphoney
1/4 CupGochujang
4 Clovegarlic, minced
1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, minced
1 Wholelime, juiced
Grilling
1/2 Wholepineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into thick spears
Serving
1 Wholescallion, thinly sliced
1 Tablespoontoasted sesame seeds
1 Bunchchopped fresh cilantro
Complete Your Cook
1
1
Units of Measurment:

Before You Get Started

This recipe includes a marinade so make sure to budget extra time.


Step

  • Step 1

    Marinate the thighs: In a medium bowl, whisk the soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Add the thighs and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours.  

    Ingredients
    • 1 Cup light soy sauce

    • 6 Clove garlic, minced

    • 1  (2-inch) piece fresh ginger, minced

    • 8  boneless, skinless chicken thighs

  • Step 2

    Make the sauce: Combine all the sauce ingredients in a saucepan and whisk together until smooth. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then let the sauce bubble away and reduce for 15 to 20. Set aside. (The sauce may be made up to a day ahead; cover and refrigerate and reheat gently to serve.) 

    Ingredients
    • 1 Cup pineapple juice

    • 1/3 Cup light soy sauce

    • 1/4 Cup honey

    • 1/4 Cup Gochujang

    • 4 Clove garlic, minced

    • 1  (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, minced

    • 1 Whole lime, juiced

  • Step 3

    When ready to cook, preheat the Traeger with the lid closed to 400°F; this will take at least 15 minutes.

    00:15

    400 ˚F / 204 ˚C

  • Step 4

    Place the pineapple spears on the grill grate. Cook the pineapple, turning it occasionally, until lightly charred on all sides, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and cut into 1-inch pieces.  

    00:10

    400 ˚F / 204 ˚C

    Ingredients
    • 1/2 Whole pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into thick spears

  • Step 5

    Reserve ¼ cup of the sauce separately. Place the chicken thighs directly on the grill grate skinned side down (discard the marinade). Cook, brushing the chicken with the sauce occasionally and flipping the thighs once about halfway through cooking, until tender and cooked through (about 170°F on an instant read thermometer), 20 to 25 minutes.  

    00:20

    400 ˚F / 204 ˚C

    170 ˚F / 77 ˚C

  • Step 6

    Meanwhile, cut the pineapple into 1-inch cubes.  

  • Step 7

    Transfer the thighs and pineapple to a platter or plate and drizzle with some of the reserved sauce. Sprinkle the scallions, sesame seeds, and cilantro over the pineapple and chicken and serve. Enjoy!  

    Ingredients
    • 1 Whole scallion, thinly sliced

    • 1 Tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

    • 1 Bunch chopped fresh cilantro

My Notes


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