Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken Stack

Sweet, smoky, and tangy, this island-inspired stack layers juicy glazed chicken over fluffy rice and caramelized pineapple for a beautiful, flavor-packed meal.

⏱️ Quick Info

• Prep Time: 15 minutes

• Marinate Time: 30 minutes–8 hours

• Cook Time: 20 minutes

• Servings: 4

• Difficulty: Easy–Medium

🛒 Ingredients

For the Huli Huli Sauce & Marinade

• ½ cup pineapple juice

• ⅓ cup soy sauce

• ¼ cup brown sugar

• 3 tbsp ketchup

• 2 tbsp rice vinegar

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated

• 1 tbsp sesame oil

• 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (slurry for thickening)

For the Chicken Stack

• 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)

• 2 cups cooked jasmine rice

• 1½ cups fresh pineapple rings or chunks

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil

• 2 green onions, sliced

• Sesame seeds for garnish

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Make the Marinade

In a bowl whisk together:

• pineapple juice

• soy sauce

• brown sugar

• ketchup

• rice vinegar

• garlic

• ginger

• sesame oil

Reserve ⅓ cup for later (for glazing).

2️⃣ Marinate the Chicken

• Place chicken in a zip bag or bowl.

• Pour remaining marinade over chicken.

• Marinate at least 30 minutes (up to overnight for best flavor).

3️⃣ Cook the Chicken

Grill (best flavor):

• Heat grill to medium-high.

• Grill chicken 5–7 minutes per side until cooked through.

OR stovetop:

• Heat oil in skillet over medium-high.

• Cook chicken until golden and done.

4️⃣ Make the Huli Huli Glaze

• Pour reserved marinade into a small saucepan.

• Bring to simmer.

• Stir in cornstarch slurry.

• Cook until thick and glossy (2–3 minutes).

5️⃣ Caramelize the Pineapple

• Grill or pan-sear pineapple pieces until lightly charred and golden.

6️⃣ Build the Stack

On each plate:

1. Add a mound of warm jasmine rice

2. Place glazed chicken on top

3. Spoon extra sauce over chicken

4. Add caramelized pineapple

5. Garnish with green onions & sesame seeds

⭐ Pro Tips

• Chicken thighs stay juicier than breasts.

• Don’t skip charring the pineapple — it boosts sweetness.

• Brush extra glaze during the last minute of grilling for shine.

• For authentic flavor, grill over charcoal if possible.

🔄 Easy Variations

• Low-carb: serve over cauliflower rice

• Spicy: add 1–2 tsp sriracha to sauce

• Tropical deluxe: add grilled bell peppers

• Sandwich style: serve on Hawaiian rolls

🥗 What to Serve With

• Hawaiian macaroni salad

• Steamed broccoli

• Cucumber pineapple slaw

• Iced coconut drink

•     5–7   WW points per serving

❓ FAQs

What does “Huli Huli” mean?
It means “turn turn” in Hawaiian — referring to flipping the chicken while grilling.

Can I bake the chicken?
Yes. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes, then broil briefly.

Can I make it ahead?
Yes — marinate overnight and cook fresh for best taste.