Best Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken Stack
This Huli Huli chicken stack brings bright, sweet, and savory island flavors to your table with a delicious pineapple marinade.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Ingredients
- 1 pound Chicken Thighs (or Breasts)
- 1 cup Pineapple Juice (fresh)
- 1/4 cup Soy Sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1/4 cup Brown Sugar (omit if reducing sugar)
- 2 tablespoons Ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Rice Vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 2 tablespoons Honey (or agave syrup)
- 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Ginger (grated)
- 1 tablespoon Sesame Oil (or vegetable oil)
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper (adjust to taste)
- 2 cups Jasmine Rice (or coconut rice)
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter (optional)
- 1 cup Fresh Pineapple (sliced)
- 2 tablespoons Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 1/4 cup Green Onions (or cilantro)
- 1/2 cup Marinade (reserved)
- 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons Water
Instructions
- Mix pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, rice vinegar, honey, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and black pepper in a bowl.
- Put chicken in a bag or bowl. Pour most of the marinade over the chicken. Reserve 1/2 cup of the marinade for the sauce.
- Marinate chicken at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours in the fridge.
- Cook rice according to package directions. Add butter for a richer flavor if you like.
- Preheat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until it reaches 165°F (75°C) and has a nice glaze.
- Grill or pan-sear pineapple slices until they have light char marks.
- Place a scoop of jasmine or coconut rice in the center of a plate.
- Lay a cooked chicken thigh or breast on top of the rice.
- Add a warm pineapple slice over the chicken.
- Reheat the reserved 1/2 cup marinade in a small pan. Mix cornstarch with water to make a slurry, then pour into the simmering marinade. Stir until the sauce thickens.
- Spoon the thickened sauce over the stack.
- Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions or cilantro on top.
Notes
Use fresh pineapple juice for the best flavor. Marinate longer for deeper taste. If using chicken breasts, cook a little less time to avoid drying.