Air Fryer Huli Huli Chicken –If you have been looking for an easy Hawaiian recipe, this air fryer huli huli chicken recipe is one of my favorites! Serve over rice or serve over salad; you have a great and easy weeknight meal full of delicious flavor!
What Is Huli-Huli Chicken
Huli Huli chicken is a popular Hawaiian dish known for its flavorful and grilled chicken. The term “huli huli” means “turn turn” in Hawaiian, which refers to the traditional method of cooking this dish by continuously turning or flipping the chicken while it’s grilled or cooked over an open flame, fire pit, outdoor grill, or on grill grates.
Huli Huli chicken is a favorite in Hawaii and is often enjoyed at luaus, beachside gatherings, and local restaurants. The combination of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors, along with the tropical influences, makes it a delightful and iconic dish that represents the flavors of the Hawaiian islands.
It’s also a popular dish for grilling enthusiasts looking to try something different with a touch of Hawaiian flair.
Ingredients Needed
You only need simple ingredients like chicken thighs and pantry staples to make this amazing dish, at home.
Remember the step-by-step directions are below in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page and the nutritional facts.
- Brown Sugar: This will give the huli huli marinade its sweetness.
- Ketchup: Use regular ketchup
- Soy Sauce: You can use low-sodium soy sauce or regular soy sauce
- Rice Vinegar: You can also use apple cider vinegar
- Minced Garlic: Freshly minced garlic or garlic powder
- Ginger: Use freshly minced ginger
- Raw Chicken: Use boneless skinless chicken thighs, skinless chicken breasts, or a cut-up whole chicken. Any cuts of chicken will work, although the cooking time will vary, passed on the part of the chicken.
How To Make Huli Hulu Chicken In The Air Fryer
Here are the simple steps to make Hawaii Huli Huli Chicken in your air fryer:
Step One: Prepare The Chicken Marinade
Use paper towels to dry your chicken. In a small bowl or Ziploc Bag, add the brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, and garlic and mix well—reserve about 1/2 cup of the Hawaiian Huli Huli sauce. Place the chicken in the remaining sauce, and let marinate for 3-6 hours or overnight for best results.
Step Two: Air Fry The Chicken
Place the piece of chicken into the air fryer basket and set the air fryer temperature to 370 degrees F, and set the cook time for 10-15 minutes; brush the chicken frequently with the flavorful marinade to keep it juicy. Remove when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F using a meat thermometer or instant read thermometer.
Step Three: Serving
Serve with fresh herbs or pineapple chunks.
Pro Tips For Air Fryer Huli Huli Chicken Recipe
- Marinating Time: Give your chicken enough time to soak up the flavors of the marinade.
- Poke or Score the Chicken: To allow the marinade to penetrate the chicken more effectively, consider poking small holes in the chicken with a fork or knife or scoring the chicken lightly with shallow cuts.
- Generous Marinade: Prepare a generous amount of Huli Huli sauce to ensure you can fully coat the chicken and have extra for basting during air frying.
- Adjust Sweetness and Tanginess: Taste the marinade before using it and adjust the sweetness with brown sugar and the tanginess with rice vinegar according to your preferences.
- Baste Frequently: While air-frying, baste the chicken with the reserved marinade every 5-10 minutes. This adds layers of flavor and keeps the chicken moist.
- Arrange in a Single Layer: Place the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Crowding the basket can result in uneven cooking.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: To ensure the chicken is cooked safely and retains its juiciness, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.
- Rest Before Serving: Allow the air-fried chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving. This lets the juices redistribute and keeps the meat tender.
- Garnish and Serve: Finish your air-fried Huli Huli chicken with fresh garnishes like chopped cilantro, green onions, or sesame seeds for added flavor and visual appeal.
Recipe Variations
- Ninja Air Fryer Huli Huli Chicken: Use the same recipe, and cook the Ninja Air Fryer Huli Huli Chicken in your Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker or Ninja Foodi Air Fryer.
- Air Fryer Huli Huli Frozen Chicken: Air fry frozen Huli Huli chicken at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through and the glaze is caramelized.
- Air Fryer Huli Huli Chicken Wings: Season chicken wings with Huli Huli sauce and air fry at 400°F for 18-20 minutes, turning once, until the wings are crispy and coated with a sticky, flavorful glaze.
Faqs
Yes, you can use boneless chicken for Huli Huli chicken. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs, in particular, are commonly used for this recipe as they have more flavor and tenderness. However, if preferred, you can use bone-in chicken pieces like drumsticks or chicken breasts.
You can bake the marinated chicken in the oven, Blackstone Griddle, or use a stovetop grill pan. Adjust the cooking times and temperatures accordingly for these alternative cooking methods.
To allow the flavors to develop, it is recommended that the chicken be marinated for at least 2-4 hours. For optimal flavor, marinating overnight in the refrigerator is even better.
You can use store-bought Huli Huli sauce if you prefer a convenient option.
Yes, you can freeze Huli Huli chicken. If you have leftovers or want to prepare them, let the cooked chicken cool completely, then store it in an airtight container or freezer bag. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Absolutely! It imparts a delicious sweet and savory flavor to various proteins, such as pork, beef, or even tofu.
While the authentic Huli Huli chicken is made with the signature Huli Huli sauce, you can experiment with other sauces or marinades.
Huli Huli chicken pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Some popular options include steamed white rice, coconut rice, brown rice, Hawaiian macaroni salad, grilled vegetables, coleslaw, or a fresh green salad. These sides complement the flavors of the chicken and create a balanced meal.
More Air Fryer Recipes
- Olive Garden Toasted Raviolis
- Air Fryer Babybel Cheese
- Air Fryer Maple Popcorn
- Air Fryer Crispy Bacon
- Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes
- Easy Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes
- Air Fryer Potato Wedges
Air Fryer Huli Huli Chicken
Description
Ingredients
Huli Huli Sauce:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 piece ginger, minced
Chicken:
- 4 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, or boneless skinless chicken breasts
Serving:
- 1/4 cup cilantro, diced
- 1/4 cup green onions, diced
- 1/4 cup pineapple chunks, canned, drained
Instructions
- Use paper towels to dry your chicken. In a small bowl or Ziploc Bag, add the brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, and garlic and mix well—reserve about 1/2 cup of the Hawaiian Huli Huli sauce.
- Place the chicken in the remaining sauce, and let marinate for 3-6 hours or overnight for best results.
- Place the piece of chicken into the air fryer basket and set the air fryer temperature to 370 degrees F, and set the cooking time for 10-12 minutes; brush the chicken frequently with the flavorful marinade to keep it juicy. Remove when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F using a meat thermometer or instant-read thermometer.
- Serve with fresh herbs or pineapple chunks, sliced cilantro, or green onions.
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Notes
- Cooling: Allow the cooked Huli Huli chicken to cool down to room temperature before storing it. This helps prevent condensation inside the storage container.
- Airtight Container: Place the chicken pieces in an airtight container. You can layer them with parchment paper or aluminum foil to prevent sticking.
- Refrigeration: Store the container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the chicken pieces are not stacked on top of each other to maintain their crispiness.
- Cooling: Allow the cooked chicken to cool down to room temperature.
- Wrap Individually: Wrap each piece of chicken individually with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This prevents them from sticking together and preserves their texture.
- Airtight Bag or Container: Place the individually wrapped chicken pieces in a resealable plastic freezer bag or an airtight freezer-safe container.
- Label and Date: Label the bag or container with the date of freezing so you can keep track of how long they’ve been in the freezer.
- Freeze: Store the chicken in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. For longer storage, consider vacuum-sealing them.
- Thawing (Optional): You can thaw the frozen chicken in the refrigerator overnight or for a few hours if you have time. This will help them reheat more evenly.
- Air Fryer Reheating: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You can lightly spray them with cooking spray or oil to help them regain their crispiness.
- Reheat: Reheat the chicken for 3-5 minutes, flipping them halfway through, or until they’re heated through and crispy.
- Microwave Reheating (Alternative): If you’re in a hurry, you can also reheat the chicken in the microwave. Use a microwave-safe plate and heat them in 30-second intervals until they’re hot.
Nutrition
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Lois Greene
Tomorrow nights dinner for sure. Sounds incredibly delicious.
Lois Greene
Thus sound incredibly delicious. I will have to go to grocery again tomorrow to get a few of the ingredients. It will be dinner tomorrow evening!!!