Air Fryer Huli Huli Chicken Recipe

Name: Air Fryer Huli Huli Chicken
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Ingredients: 4 boneless (skinless chicken thighs); 1/2 cup soy sauce; 1/4 cup ketchup; 1/4 cup brown sugar; 1/4 cup pineapple juice; 2 tablespoons rice vinegar; 1 tablespoon ginger (minced); 3 cloves garlic (minced); 1 tablespoon sesame oil; 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

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Air fryer huli huli chicken is a fun and convenient twist on a classic Hawaiian dish! This easy recipe features a bright marinade and glaze made with simple ingredients like soy sauce, ketchup, and pineapple juice. Together they make the juicy chicken thighs perfectly sweet, sticky, and super flavorful!

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Air fryer huli huli chicken with pineapple tastes like summer on a plate! And is so easy to make, you *almost* feel like you're on a vacation from cooking.

This practically effortless recipe starts with a bright and delicious Hawaiian-style marinade, made with a blend of soy and Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, aromatics - and the true star of the summery glaze - pineapple juice.

All combined these (mostly) pantry staples create an irresistible balance of savory and umami, sweet, and tangy goodness. Plus, the acidic juice tenderizes the meat while the sugars help to get that iconic caramelization on the outside.

The huli huli sauce is great to prep ahead, and you can get the chicken marinating in the morning or even overnight. Then air fry the thighs in 15 minutes or less for a dinner that's as fast as it is flavorful!

What does huli huli mean

The phrase huli huli means "turn turn," which is a nod to the original cooking method used to make the dish. In the traditional recipe, marinated chicken thighs are cooked over an open flame and constantly need tending - AKA turning - to not burn.

Cooking chicken on high heat results in beautifully caramelized thighs that are juicy and bursting with flavor. In this recipe we mimic the high heat of grilling, but with the convenience of air frying!

Recipe ingredients

Chicken Thighs: Dark meat boneless and skinless thighs are rich, meaty, and great for infusing with a bold marinade.
Soy Sauce: A classic Asian food ingredient that adds deep umami-ness to meat. Use low sodium or coconut aminos, if you prefer.
Ketchup: The tangy bite of ketchup balances the savory and sweet ingredients.
Brown Sugar: Provides a mellow sweetness that isn't overly sweet. Also, the sugar helps to caramelize the outside of the chicken when air fried.
Pineapple Juice: Either from pure canned juice or drained juice from cans of pineapple rings. If using cans of rings, you can also serve the pineapple on the side of the chicken either straight from the can, or grilled/seared.
Rice Vinegar: Adds a kick of sour flavor that is delicious with the sweet pineapple. Alternatively, you can use apple cider vinegar, which is a bit more mild.
Ginger: Spicy, but not hot spicy. A bit of ginger brings a bold, sharp taste to the marinade.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic is earthy and savory, and also has a nice pungent punch.
Sesame Oil: I love the lightly nutty, rich flavor of sesame oil. But feel free to sub with a neutral-tasting oil, like avocado or canola oil.
Worcestershire Sauce: The not-so-secret ingredient to give the air fryer huli huli chicken recipe a punch of umami .
Garnishes: Finish the dish with chopped green onion and sesame seeds, if you like.

Side dishes

Hawaiian-style huli huli chicken is traditionally served with fluffy plain white rice or coconut rice. Brown rice is also a great option!

This dish is delicious to pair with other Hawaiian dishes like macaroni salad and grilled or air fried pineapple rings. And you can serve the chicken with nearly any veggies you like... The balanced sweet and savory flavors go especially well with green vegetables like green beans, asparagus, okra, or just a crisp salad with your favorite lettuces.

Frequently asked questions

Is huli huli the same as teriyaki?

No, these are very different sauces. Both include soy sauce and lots of aromatics like ginger and garlic. But huli huli marinade and glaze includes sweet pineapple juice that makes the ginger extra tenderized and juicy.

Can you overcook chicken in an air fryer?

Yes, it is possible to over-air fry chicken. If it cooks too long the meat becomes tough and dry. Just follow my easy step-by-step recipe below and you're practically guaranteed to cook the huli huli chicken perfectly, every time!

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