Baked Huli Huli Chicken Recipe | Hawaii Travel with Kids (2024)

Are you looking for a super easy, but delicious baked Hawaiian chicken recipe? Try this Huli Huli Chicken recipe. It’s sure to delight your whole family! Scroll down for the full recipe!
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Baked Hawaiian Chicken: Huli Huli Chicken Recipe

This baked Hawaiian chicken smothered with homemade BBQ sauce is a dream come true! Super juicy on the inside and with a crunchy, crackly skin this is the most flavorful piece of chicken you’ll ever have. Best of all? You can grill it or bake it, both options are just as delicious.

Huli huli chicken is one of those things that really represent Hawaii and that’s honestly so delicious I just can’t believe it’s not any more popular everywhere else.

If you’ve never heard about it before, it’s chicken that’s marinated in Hawaiian BBQ sauce (which is just a mix between teriyaki sauce and traditional BBQ sauce) and then grilled turning it every so often so it’s evenly cooked and evenly crispy and delicious.

Actually, huli means turn in Hawaiian, so it’s turn turn chicken!

However, I’m not a huge fan of grilling, I honestly don’t feel that confident about my grilling skills just yet, so I’ve been looking for a way to make it using the oven and let me tell you it’s totally possible and just as delicious.

So, let’s take a look at my Hawaiian style oven baked chicken recipe!

Baked Huli Huli Chicken Recipe | Hawaii Travel with Kids (1)

How to Make Hawaiian BBQ Sauce

The most important about this recipe and the thing that makes it so flavorful and juicy and that makes the chicken skin so crispy is this huli huli sauce.

It’s also incredibly easy to make sauce and it goes amazing with any other thing you would normally use BBQ sauce for. I actually love to make a large batch and keep it refrigerated for around 3 weeks so you can have it on hand at all times.

Baked Huli Huli Chicken Recipe | Hawaii Travel with Kids (2)

To make it you need:

  • Ketchup
  • Soy sauce
  • Pineapple juice
  • Lemon juice
  • Garlic powder
  • Brown sugar
  • Ginger

You can also add some chili flakes if you like to make things a little bit more spicy.

Once you have all those ingredients on hand just simmer for a bit until reduced and thickened and you are all set. Your sauce it’s ready to make any meal better.

Baked Huli Huli Chicken Recipe | Hawaii Travel with Kids (3)

Baked Hawaiian Chicken Recipe: Huli Huli Chicken

Ingredients for your Huli Huli Chicken Recipe:

For the Hawaiian BBQ sauce:

  • ½ Cup ketchup
  • ½ Cup brown sugar
  • ⅓ Cup soy sauce
  • ⅓ Cup pineapple juice
  • 2 Tsps garlic powder
  • 1 Tsp ginger
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice

For the chicken:

  • 2 Pounds skin on chicken pieces
  • 4 Tbsp vegetable oil or sesame oil
Baked Huli Huli Chicken Recipe | Hawaii Travel with Kids (4)

How to Make Baked Huli Huli Chicken

In a small saucepan over medium heat mix all the sauce ingredients and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for around 15 minutes or until the sauce has reduced and it has thickened a bit. Remove from heat and let cool.

Place the chicken pieces into a bowl and cover with ½ the BBQ sauce. Massage and toss so everything is well coated and let it marinate for 30 minutes for up to 12 hours.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Grease a baking pan with vegetable oil or sesame oil and transfer the chicken pieces to it.

Take to the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Turn the chicken, brush with more Hawaiian BBQ sauce and bake for 10 more minutes. Turn it once more and brush with more sauce and bake for 15 more minutes or until done.

Yield: 4 Servings

Baked Hawaiian Chicken Recipe - Huli Huli Chicken

Baked Huli Huli Chicken Recipe | Hawaii Travel with Kids (5)

This baked Hawaiian chicken smothered with homemade BBQ sauce is a dream come true! Super juicy on the inside and with a crunchy, crackly skin this is the most flavorful piece of chicken you’ll ever have. Best of all? You can grill it or bake it, both options are just as delicious.

Prep Time1 hour

Cook Time40 minutes

Total Time1 hour 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • For the Hawaiian BBQ sauce:
  • ½ Cup ketchup
  • ½ Cup brown sugar
  • ⅓ Cup soy sauce
  • ⅓ Cup pineapple juice
  • 2 Tsps garlic powder
  • 1 Tsp ginger
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • For the chicken:
  • 2 Pounds skin on chicken pieces
  • 4 Tbsp vegetable oil or sesame oil

Instructions

  1. In a small saucepan over medium heat mix all the sauce ingredients and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for around 15 minutes or until the sauce has reduced and it has thickened a bit. Remove from heat and let cool.
  2. Place the chicken pieces into a bowl and cover with ½ the BBQ sauce. Massage and toss so everything is well coated nad let it marinate for 30 minutes for up to 12 hours.
  3. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
  4. Grease a baking pan with vegetable oil or sesame oil and transfer the chicken pieces to it.
  5. Take to the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Turn the chicken, brush with more Hawaiian BBQ sauce and bake for 10 more minutes. Turn it once more and brush with more sauce and bake for 15 more minutes or until done.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 841Total Fat: 41gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 29gCholesterol: 286mgSodium: 2056mgCarbohydrates: 47gFiber: 1gSugar: 40gProtein: 70g

I told you this Huli Huli Chicken recipe was super easy and tasty!

Huli Huli Chicken FAQs

What does “huli huli” mean?

The term “huli huli” means “to turn” in the Hawaiian language. Traditionally, huli huli chicken is turned on a spit over a fire or barbecue.

Where is huli huli chicken from?

Huli huli chicken originated in Hawaii. You’ll find it on many roadside stands, at Hawaiian festivals, and served in many local restaurants.

How do you pronounce Huli Huli Chicken?

It’s pronounced HOO-lee HOO-lee CHIK-en.

Hope you enjoyed this Baked Hawaiian BBQ Chicken recipe! Click here for more of our DELICIOUS Hawaiian recipes!
Baked Huli Huli Chicken Recipe | Hawaii Travel with Kids (2024)

FAQs

What is a good side dish for Huli Huli chicken? ›

The best side dishes to serve with Huli Huli chicken are Mexican rice, crispy green beans, charro beans, lentil salad, brown rice and vegetables, quinoa salad, feta pasta, pizza pasta, rosemary bread, onion rings, spinach salad, creamy apple slaw, pineapple salsa, Hawaiian rolls, potato mac and salad, and grilled ...

What is the meaning of Huli Huli? ›

It was such a hit that he decided to market it with the name “huli huli.” Huli means “turn” in Hawaiian and refers to how it's prepared: grilled between two racks and turned halfway through cooking. This simplified version calls for chicken pieces and a standard grill.

Is Huli Huli the same as teriyaki? ›

What is the difference between huli huli chicken and teriyaki chicken? Both marinades make use of soy sauce, brown sugar, and ginger. However, teriyaki sauce includes rice wine, while huli huli sauce includes pineapple juice, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, and garlic.

Why is it called Huli Huli chicken? ›

Huli is the Hawaiian word for "turn." As the dish was originally made on a grill with a makeshift spit, onlookers shouted "huli" when the chickens were to be rotated, cooking and basting the other side. Morgado, through the Pacific Poultry Company, trademarked "huli-huli" in 1967.

What island is Huli Huli chicken on? ›

Huli Huli Chicken is a trademark and made with Huli Huli Sauce, it's available only on Oahu.

What pairs with chicken? ›

The best sides for chicken may depend on the way you're cooking the bird—a burnished roast chicken in the fall or winter goes wonderfully with butternut squash or cauliflower, while grilled chicken in the summer makes more sense with high-season salads and veggies charred over the coals.

What is a Huli used for in Hawaii? ›

Huli-huli means "turn-turn" in Hawaiian, a phrase used in the old days when it was time to turn the meat over on the smoky fire pit. Today, our Hawaii's Famous Huli-Huli BBQ Sauce is used to marinate meats of all kinds, especially chicken, making an irresistible Hawaiian BBQ feast every time.

What is chicken in Hawaiian language? ›

The Hawaiian word for “chicken” is moa, pronounced moh-ah.

What does Kahu mean in Hawaiian? ›

In Hawaiian culture, “Kahu” signifies a guardian, protector, steward, or someone entrusted with the care of something precious or cherished. It's a term that reflects a deeper connection and responsibility towards the subject being cared for.

What is the difference between teriyaki chicken and Huli Huli chicken? ›

Both marinades employ a ginger, brown sugar, and soy sauce base. But whereas teriyaki adds rice wine, Ono Grind's house-made huli huli incorporates sherry, sesame oil, honey, and ketchup.

What breed is a Hawaiian chicken? ›

The feral chickens that roam most of Hawaii are descended from the red jungle fowl (moa) that Polynesian settlers brought to the islands as a food resource. Naturally, some escaped into the jungle and thrived.

What is the popular sauce in Hawaii? ›

Shoyu Sauce Shoyu — is used widely in Hawaii cuisine in marinades and sauces. It is most notably known for its use in Shoyu Chicken, Shoyu Pork, and Shoyu Hot Dog.

What is Hawaiian chicken sauce made of? ›

soy sauce, pineapple juice and brown sugar (been there, tried that, left wanting), but instead is also laced with Asian sweet chili sauce, Asian chili sauce, ground ginger, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper so it avoids the trap of monotony and instead makes your taste buds want to do the hula.

What is Hawaiian wing sauce made of? ›

In a medium bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, light brown sugar, chicken stock, ginger, garlic, and sriracha. Pour half of sauce into bag of chicken, seal bag, and toss to coat. Cover remaining sauce in bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate.

What is Hawaiian sauce made of? ›

Hawaiian Sauce is made with orange and pineapple juice, and tamari. Everything comes together in around 10 minutes. This is such a great sauce that even picky eaters will devour, because it is fresh, satisfying and has all the amazing island flavors that you dream of.

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