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Meat, Americas

Huli huli chicken and rice

Huli huli chicken is made of chicken thighs marinated in pineapple juice, soy sauce, and ginger, then roasted until the sugars caramelize. It serves 4, takes 50 minutes, is rated very easy, and costs about €3.20 per person. The trick is basting the chicken with marinade while it roasts to get that glossy, sticky glaze.

A pineapple and ginger glazed chicken, straight from Hawaii, shiny and sticky, with rice to soak up every drop.

Huli huli chicken and rice
Total time
50 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€3.20
Calories per person
540 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Spring, Summer
The kids
They generally like it

Huli huli chicken is all about the pull between sweet pineapple and salty soy, with ginger cutting through to keep it from feeling heavy. In the oven, the sugar in the marinade caramelizes along the edges of the chicken, leaving a sticky, slightly charred crust that's hard to stop picking at. The rice underneath exists mainly to catch all that sauce pooling in the pan.

This is a weeknight dinner for when you want something different without much effort. Kids tend to love the sweetness, and the grilled pineapple works almost like dessert built right into the meal. Mon Chou saves this one for warmer months, when a plate with a little sunshine in it feels right.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Boneless chicken thighs 8

Pantry

  • Pineapple juice 15 cl
  • Soy sauceoften in the pantry 5 tbsp
  • Ketchupoften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Brown sugaroften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Riceoften in the pantry 300 g
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Sesame seedsoften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Fresh ginger 20 g
  • Garlic 3 cloves
  • Fresh or canned pineapple slices 4 slices

Allergens Gluten, Soy

The step by step recipe

  1. Mix the pineapple juice, soy sauce, ketchup, sugar, grated ginger, and crushed garlic. Set aside a quarter of this marinade.

    A little freshly grated ginger makes all the difference.

  2. Place the chicken in the rest of the marinade and let it sit for at least 20 minutes. 20 min

    The longer it sits, the more flavorful it gets, marinating it in the morning is ideal if you can.

  3. Cook the rice in salted water, then drain it. 11 min

    Keep the lid on after draining so it stays moist.

  4. Roast the chicken in the oven at 210°C, flipping halfway through and basting it with the reserved marinade. 35 min

    The edges should turn slightly dark, that's the sugar caramelizing.

  5. Sear the pineapple slices in a skillet with the oil, then plate with the rice and the glazed chicken. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. 4 min

    The pineapple should be nicely browned on the edges.

Our tips to get it right

  • Lift the chicken out of the marinade and let the excess drip off before it goes in the oven, too much liquid keeps the edges from caramelizing properly.
  • If you're using skin on thighs, place them skin side up so it crisps while the chicken roasts.
  • Check for doneness by cutting into the thickest piece, the juices should run clear, not pink.

The variations

  • Swap the chicken for pork ribs, the marinade holds up just as well on a fattier cut.
  • For a vegetarian version, use firm tofu slices or cauliflower steaks marinated the same way.
  • To save time, cook the chicken in a skillet instead of the oven, about 15 minutes over medium heat, turning often.

What to serve it with

  • A crunchy cabbage slaw
  • Edamame as a starter
  • Homemade iced tea

Storage

The chicken keeps for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container, ideally stored separate from the rice. It freezes well once cooked, thaw it in the fridge and reheat in a skillet or oven to bring back some of the crisp edges.

Questions about this dish

Can you make the marinade ahead of time?

Yes, you can make it a day ahead and keep it in a sealed jar in the fridge. The chicken only gets more flavorful if you let it marinate overnight.

What if I don't have pineapple juice?

You can blend a few chunks of fresh pineapple with a little water to make your own. Orange juice works in a pinch too, though the result will be a bit less sweet.

Can this chicken be grilled instead?

Yes, that's actually how this Hawaiian dish is traditionally cooked. Use the same cooking time but watch it closely since the sugar in the marinade burns fast over direct flame.

Can you serve something other than rice?

You can pair this chicken with stir fried noodles or mashed sweet potato, both work well with the sweet and salty glaze. Rice is still the easiest way to soak up all the sauce.

How long does it take to make a huli huli chicken with rice?

Count 50 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in a huli huli chicken with rice?

About 540 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a huli huli chicken with rice cost?

About €3.20 per serving, or €12.80 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, soy. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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