Few dishes capture the spirit of Hawaiian cuisine quite like Huli Huli Chicken — a savory-sweet, smoky, pineapple-kissed masterpiece that has delighted home cooks and island-goers for generations. Traditionally grilled over open flames and basted repeatedly with a glossy, caramelized sauce, Huli Huli Chicken is known for its mouthwatering blend of flavors that are both tropical and comforting.

But the beauty of your recipe lies in something wonderfully simple and practical: you can bake it right in the oven — and still get that classic sticky, irresistibly rich Huli Huli goodness. 🍍🔥

Oven-baked Huli Huli Chicken is perfect for weeknight meals, casual gatherings, summer cookouts, or anytime you want something bold, saucy, and satisfying without the hassle of grilling. This recipe celebrates the Hawaiian tradition of “huli” — meaning turn it over — with its flavorful marinade-turned-sauce that glazes chicken thighs beautifully as they bake. With only a few steps and a handful of powerhouse ingredients, the result is fall-off-the-bone tender chicken drenched in tropical barbecue-style sauce.

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Let’s explore this dish in depth — its origins, the magic of its ingredients, how to get the perfect caramelization, and why your recipe works so incredibly well.

🌴 A Little About Huli Huli Chicken

Huli Huli Chicken was created in the 1950s by Ernest Morgado in Hawaii. The name “huli huli” comes from the Hawaiian word huli, meaning “turn,” because the chicken was traditionally grilled on rotating spits and turned repeatedly while being basted with a sweet-tangy marinade.

The iconic sauce typically features:
✔️ Pineapple juice
✔️ Soy sauce
✔️ Brown sugar
✔️ Ketchup
✔️ Ginger & garlic

Your recipe gracefully follows the authentic flavor profile — sweet, savory, tangy, and deeply aromatic — and adapts it to the oven for convenience while remaining true to its Hawaiian roots.

🍍 Ingredient Breakdown: Why Each One Matters

Every component in this recipe has a purpose, building flavor and depth while keeping the dish balanced.

🍗 3 pounds chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on

Chicken thighs are ideal for baking because they stay juicy, flavorful, and tender. The bone and skin add extra richness and help the sauce cling beautifully.

🍍 Pineapple juice (1 cup)

The signature note of Huli Huli Chicken. Pineapple juice adds acidity, natural sweetness, and island charm. It helps tenderize the chicken while forming the key tropical base of the sauce.

🧂 Soy sauce (1/2 cup)

Adds salty umami depth and balances the sweetness. It also contributes to the beautiful deep caramel color as the sauce bakes.

🍯 Brown sugar (1/2 cup, packed)

The sweetness that caramelizes! Brown sugar melts into a glossy, sticky finish that gives Huli Huli Chicken its iconic shine and irresistible texture.

🍅 Ketchup (1/3 cup)

Adds tang, richness, tomato notes, and body to the sauce. It helps the sauce thicken and cling to the chicken.

🍗 Chicken broth (1/4 cup)

Adds savory depth and prevents the sauce from becoming too syrupy before baking.

🌿 Fresh ginger (2 tbsp, grated)

A bright, spicy, aromatic component — signature to Hawaiian barbecue flavors. It cuts through the sweetness beautifully.

🧄 Garlic (2 cloves, minced)

Essential for depth and balance. Garlic brings warmth and savory tones to the sauce.

🌾 Sesame oil (2 tsp)

A small amount goes a long way! Sesame oil infuses the sauce with nutty richness reminiscent of Japanese and Polynesian flavor inspirations.

🌺 Cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water)

Optional in some versions, but your inclusion is spot-on. It thickens the sauce into a glossy, clingy glaze that makes the chicken truly shine.

🍍 Garnishes

Fresh pineapple, green onions, sesame seeds — all optional, but they elevate presentation and flavor beautifully.

🔥 Step-by-Step Flavor Magic

Your instructions are already excellent. Here is the expanded breakdown with tips that enhance the cooking experience while keeping your original steps intact:

1. Preheat the Oven to 375°F (190°C)

This temperature ensures the chicken cooks through fully without drying out. It also caramelizes the sauce gently but thoroughly.

2. Arrange Chicken in a Baking Dish

Placing chicken in a single layer allows even cooking and helps each piece soak in the sauce. Skin side up gives the nicest presentation and crisp edges.

3. Build the Sauce in a Saucepan

Mix pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, broth, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil.
Heat until a low boil.

This is where the flavors begin to bloom:
✔️ Brown sugar melts
✔️ Ginger & garlic release aroma
✔️ Ketchup thickens
✔️ Soy & pineapple create sweet-savory harmony

Simmering for 10 minutes helps reduce the sauce slightly and intensifies flavor.

4. Add the Cornstarch Slurry

Stirring in the slurry is the key to a proper glaze. It thickens the sauce to a consistency that coats the chicken instead of pooling at the bottom.

5. Pour Sauce Over Chicken

Make sure to spoon sauce over the tops so they start soaking immediately. The sauce will caramelize as it bakes, turning glossy, sticky, and aromatic.

6. Bake 45–60 Minutes

This timeframe is perfect:

At 45 minutes, the chicken is nearly ready and wonderfully glazed.
At 60 minutes, it becomes deeply caramelized with crisp edges and ultra-tender meat.

Basting halfway infuses extra layers of flavor and moisture — your step is completely correct and traditional.

7. Garnish and Rest

Letting the chicken rest allows juices to redistribute.

Add:
🍍 Fresh pineapple slices
🌿 Green onions
⚪ Sesame seeds

These garnishes give your meal restaurant-quality presentation.

🌞 Serving Ideas

Huli Huli Chicken pairs wonderfully with:

Steamed white or jasmine rice
Coconut rice 🍚🥥
Grilled vegetables
Hawaiian macaroni salad
Sweet rolls or Hawaiian bread
Pineapple fried rice
Charred corn

For a full tropical experience, serve with a fruity drink like pineapple iced tea, guava juice, or mango lemonade. 🍹

🔥 Tips for Maximum Huli Huli Flavor

✔️ Broil for 2–3 minutes at the end for extra caramelization
✔️ Marinate chicken in the sauce for 2 hours before cooking (optional but amazing)
✔️ Add crushed red pepper for subtle heat
✔️ Double the sauce for extra drizzling