Introduction

Did you know that 87% of cooking enthusiasts search monthly for an authentic Hawaiian BBQ chicken recipe? This amazing recipe combines sweet and savory flavors in perfect harmony, making it one of the most popular dishes in Asian-American cuisine. The Hawaiian BBQ chicken recipe we’re sharing today is the perfect solution for a special family dinner or a successful outdoor barbecue party.

Why You’ll Love Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Recipe

You’ll fall in love with this Hawaiian BBQ chicken recipe because it combines simplicity with incredible taste. It features a delicious sweet marinade that gives the chicken a distinctive caramelized flavor, while the Hawaiian BBQ sauce adds an irresistible smoky touch. This recipe for Hawaiian BBQ chicken is quick to prepare, budget-friendly, and perfect for beginners in the culinary world.

Keep reading to discover how you can prepare the best Hawaiian BBQ chicken at home, and get ready to impress your family and guests with unique Hawaiian tropical flavors!

Itngredients List

Key Ingredients for Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Recipe

✅ 3 lbs (1.5 kg) chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
✅ 1 cup pineapple juice (fresh is best, but canned works too)
✅ 1/2 cup soy sauce (low-sodium option available)
✅ 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
✅ 1/4 cup ketchup
✅ 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
✅ 3 cloves garlic, minced
✅ 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
✅ 2 green onions, thinly sliced
✅ 1 teaspoon sesame oil
✅ 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Substitutions and Variations:

◉ For a spicier Hawaiian chicken marinade, add 1 teaspoon of sriracha or red pepper flakes
◉ Replace chicken thighs with chicken breasts for a leaner option
◉ Use honey instead of brown sugar for a different sweetness profile
◉ For a gluten-free alternative, substitute tamari for soy sauce.
◉ Add a tablespoon of pineapple chunks to the marinade for extra tropical flavor

Tools and Equipment

To prepare this Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Recipe perfectly, you’ll need:

 ☑️ Large mixing bowl for marinade
 ☑️ Gallon-sized zip-top bags for marinating
 ☑️ Grill or grill pan (outdoor grill preferred for authentic flavor)
 ☑️ Meat thermometer to ensure chicken is properly cooked
 ☑️ Basting brush for applying additional sauce during grilling
 ☑️Tongs for flipping chicken

Pro Tip: To avoid burning, soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes prior to grilling.

⏱️ Timing Guide for Perfect Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Recipe

 🆗 Preparation Time: 15 minutes
 🆗 Marinating Time: 2-4 hours (overnight for best results)
 🆗 Cooking Time: 20-25 minutes
 🆗 Total Time: Approximately 3 hours (including marinating)

This easy Hawaiian BBQ chicken recipe requires less active cooking time than most exotic dishes, giving you more time to enjoy with your guests!

Step-by-Step Guide

Preparing the Hawaiian Chicken Marinade:

• • In a large bowl, combine pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, rice vinegar, chopped garlic, grated ginger, green onions, sesame oil, and black pepper. Whisk until the sugar dissolves completely and the marinade takes on a smooth, glossy appearance with that signature Hawaiian BBQ chicken recipe fragrance. Pro Tip: Reserve 1/4 cup of the marinade before adding the chicken to use as a basting sauce later. This ensures food safety while maximizing flavor.

• • Place chicken thighs in a single layer inside a gallon-sized zip-top bag and add the marinade Squeeze out excess air, seal the bag tightly, and gently massage the marinade into the chicken thighs, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated for that authentic Hawaiian flavor profile.

• • Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or preferably overnight (up to 24 hours for maximum flavor infusion), turning the bag every few hours to ensure even marination. The longer the chicken marinates, the more pronounced the Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Recipe flavors become.

Grilling the Hawaiian BBQ Chicken:

• • Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (approximately 375-400°F). Once hot, thoroughly oil the grates using tongs and an oil-soaked paper towel to prevent sticking. For this easy Hawaiian BBQ chicken recipe, proper grill preparation is crucial for those beautiful grill marks.

• • Remove the chicken thighs from the marinade, allowing the excess liquid to drip off, and softly pat them with paper towels to remove any moisture from the surface. Dispose of the marinade after use since it contains raw chicken juices. Pro Tip: Bringing the chicken to room temperature for 15 minutes before grilling helps it cook more evenly and speeds up the cooking process for perfect Hawaiian chicken thighs every time.

• • Place chicken thighs on the grill at a 45-degree angle to the grates for those professional-looking diamond grill marks. Cook for 6-8 minutes on the first side until you see caramelization forming, then flip using tongs (never a fork which would pierce the meat and release juices).

• • Cook for another 6-8 minutes on the second side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F on an instant-read thermometer. For the perfect Grilled Hawaiian BBQ Chicken, temperature monitoring is essential as appearance can be deceiving with this sweet marinade.

• • During the last 5 minutes of cooking, generously baste with the reserved marinade using a pastry brush, applying multiple thin layers for an extra depth of flavor and that signature sticky glaze that makes Hawaiian BBQ chicken recipe so distinctive.

• • For an authentic finish, place pineapple slices on the grill during the final 2-3 minutes of cooking time. These caramelized pineapple slices make a perfect Hawaiian-inspired garnish.

• • Remove the chicken from the grill and transfer to a clean platter. Tent loosely with foil and let rest for exactly 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring your Hawaiian chicken BBQ recipe results in perfectly juicy chicken.

Pro Cooking Tips

• • Master the Caramelization: The hallmark of authentic Hawaiian BBQ chicken recipe is that perfect caramelization. The brown sugar in the marinade requires careful heat management—start with high heat (400°F) to create initial caramelization, then reduce to medium-high (350°F) to prevent burning while allowing the inside to cook properly. This two-step cooking method produces the characteristic sticky-sweet surface that exemplifies the quality of Hawaiian BBQ recipes.

• • Optimize Your Chicken Thighs: For exceptionally tender Hawaiian chicken thighs, use a meat tenderizer to gently pound the thicker parts to even thickness before marinating. Alternatively, score the surface in a shallow crosshatch pattern (about 1/8 inch deep) to increase the surface area exposed to the marinade. Hawaiian chicken marinade penetrates more effectively with this technique.

• • Indoor Cooking Perfection: When an outdoor grill isn’t available, use a well-seasoned cast-iron grill pan for your easy Hawaiian BBQ chicken recipe. Preheat the pan for 5-7 minutes until smoking hot, then reduce to medium-high heat before adding chicken. For even more authentic flavor, add 1/4 teaspoon of liquid smoke to your marinade to compensate for the missing charcoal essence.

• • Temperature Testing Technique: When making Grilled Hawaiian BBQ Chicken, use an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part without touching bone. The safe internal temperature is 165°F (74°C), but consider removing the chicken at 160°F as carryover cooking will raise the temperature during resting. The sweet Hawaiian marinade creates a deceptively dark exterior that can mislead visual doneness checks.

• • Marinade Enhancement: For deeper flavor penetration in your Hawaiian chicken BBQ recipe, warm the marinade ingredients (except pineapple juice) slightly before combining. The warmth helps dissolve the sugar more effectively and opens the flavor compounds. Once cooled to room temperature, add the pineapple juice before pouring over chicken.

• • Sauce Thickening Method: For a thicker glaze on your Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Recipe, take the reserved 1/4 cup marinade and simmer it in a small saucepan for 3-5 minutes until reduced by half. This concentrated sauce creates a more pronounced flavor profile and adheres better to the chicken during the final basting stage.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this delicious Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Recipe with:

• • Steamed white rice or coconut rice

• • Grilled pineapple slices

• • Macaroni salad (a Hawaiian plate lunch staple)

• • Coleslaw with a pineapple twist

• • Fresh green salad with mango dressing

• • For an authentic Hawaiian plate lunch experience, serve it with two scoops of rice, a scoop of macaroni salad, and a side of grilled vegetables..

• • Looking for more chicken inspiration? Try our Longhorn Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe for another crowd-pleasing dish!

Recipe Variations

• • Hawaiian BBQ Chicken with Pineapple: Place pineapple rings on the grill in the final minutes of cooking and serve over the chicken.

• • Spicy Hawaiian Chicken: Double the amount of ginger and add 1-2 chopped jalapeños to the marinade for a spicy kick.

• • Hawaiian Chicken Skewers: Cut chicken into 1-inch cubes, marinate, and thread onto skewers with chunks of bell pepper, onion, and pineapple for Hawaiian BBQ chicken kabobs.

• • Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken: Place marinated chicken in a slow cooker with the marinade and cook on low for 6-8 hours for a fall-apart tender version.

• • If you enjoy this grilled Hawaiian BBQ chicken recipe, you might also love our Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers for a different flavor profile!

Mistakes to Avoid

• • ❌ Skipping the marinating time: This step is crucial for flavor development. At least 2 hours is recommended, but overnight produces the best results.

• • ❌ Cooking on too high heat: The sugar in the marinade can burn quickly. Maintain medium-high heat and watch carefully.

• • ❌ Not patting chicken dry before grilling: Excess marinade can cause flare-ups and uneven cooking.

• • ❌ Cutting into the chicken immediately after cooking: Let it rest for at least 5 minutes to keep the juices inside.

• • ❌ Overcooking: Hawaiian chicken thighs are forgiving, but they can still dry out if left on the grill too long.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (based on 6 servings):

       ● Calories: 320
       ● Protein: 29g
       ● Carbohydrates: 12g
       ● Sugar: 10g
       ● Fat: 16g
       ● Saturated Fat: 4g
       ● Sodium: 890mg
       ● Fiber: 0g

This Hawaiian BBQ recipe provides an excellent source of protein while keeping carbohydrates relatively low, making it a balanced option for most diets.
For a lower-calorie alternative, check out our baked chicken cutlet recipe that’s equally delicious!

❓ FAQ Section

🎯 Conclusion

This Hawaiian BBQ chicken recipe offers the perfect blend of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors that will transport your taste buds straight to the islands. Quick to prepare with readily available ingredients, it’s an ideal weeknight dinner or weekend grilling option that the whole family will enjoy. Try this recipe today and bring the taste of Hawaii to your dinner table!

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