Hawaiian Huli Grilled Chicken Wings with Pineapple Soy Glaze

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Ruby Bennett
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More Appetizers

Okay you guys, let’s be real: one tray of Hawaiian Huli Grilled Chicken Wings is never enough. Whether you’re hosting a full on tailgate, a Sunday football feast, or just treating yourself to an at home happy hour, you need a lineup of snacks that brings the same sticky sweet, savory energy. And that’s where these bad boys on the blog come in. I’m talking party starters that are bold, easy, and guaranteed to make people hang around the food table way too long.

If you want to see how these wings stack up against the old school version, peek at this Huli Huli chicken wings recipe from Allrecipes. It’s a fun comparison when you’re deep in your Hawaiian chicken research.

Before you roll up your sleeves, make sure you’ve got your marinade game locked. My Grilled Chicken Marinade guide spills all the secrets for getting that deeply seasoned, juicy interior. You’ll find tips that work brilliantly for these wings too.

And when the grill is already hot, here are four more appetizers you guys will flip for:

  • Baked Nashville Hot Chicken & Waffle Sliders. Crispy, fiery chicken tucked between tiny waffles drizzled with honey. Sweet, hot, and totally addictive. They’re the slider that keeps everyone coming back for just one more.
  • Mexican Street Corn Dip. Imagine the charred corn, lime, and chili powder magic of elote, but in a scoopable, shareable dip. Topped with cotija and a sprinkle of tajin, it’s a creamy dream with tortilla chips.
  • Halloween Charcuterie Board. A spooky season showstopper. We’re talking bat shaped cheddar, skeleton veggies, and candy corn hued fruits that turn a simple snack board into a conversation piece. Even the kids will belly up to this one.
  • Sweet & Spicy Gochujang Chicken Quesadillas. Korean meets comfort food with a sticky gochujang glaze, melted cheese, and a perfectly crisp tortilla. Quick enough for a weeknight, cool enough for a party.

And if you love the glazed, grilled vibe of these wings, you have to try my Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Skewers. The marinade is a little different, but the caramelized, charred edges and the way everyone hovers until they’re gone? Exactly the same energy.

So go ahead, fire up that grill even if it’s October, and make these sticky sweet chicken wings that’ll have everyone asking for the recipe before the first bite is gone.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is huli huli chicken?

Huli huli chicken is a Hawaiian grilled chicken dish traditionally cooked over kiawe wood. The name comes from the Hawaiian word huli meaning turn, referring to the method of turning the chicken on a rotisserie or grill. The marinade is a sweet and savory blend of soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, and pineapple juice.

How do you make huli huli sauce for wings?

Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and pineapple juice. Simmer until slightly thickened. For wings, you can use the sauce as both a marinade and a basting glaze during grilling.

How do you get crispy skin on grilled huli huli chicken wings?

Pat the wings completely dry before marinating. Grill over medium high heat and avoid over basting with sugary sauce too early. Start with skin side down on a clean grill grate, let the skin render, then flip. Finish with a light glaze over high heat just before serving.

How long should you marinate chicken wings for huli huli?

Marinate for at least 2 to 4 hours in the refrigerator. For deeper flavor, marinate up to 8 hours but not longer, as the acid in pineapple can break down the meat and make it mushy.

Can you bake huli huli chicken wings instead of grilling?

Yes. Bake at 400°F on a wire rack over a baking sheet for 40 to 45 minutes, flipping halfway. Brush with sauce during the last 10 minutes and broil for 2 to 3 minutes for caramelization.

What sides go well with huli huli chicken wings?

Classic Hawaiian sides include macaroni salad, steamed rice, grilled pineapple, coleslaw, or a cucumber and tomato salad. For a tailgate, serve with potato chips and a dipping sauce like ranch or extra huli huli sauce.
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Hawaiian Huli Grilled Chicken Wings

Hawaiian Huli Grilled Chicken Wings

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🍍 Sticky, sweet, and savory Hawaiian-style grilled wings with a caramelized pineapple soy glaze that brings tropical flavor to any gathering.
🔥 Perfect for tailgates and parties, these wings feature crispy skin, juicy meat, and an irresistible glaze that keeps everyone coming back for more.

  • Total Time: 3 hours
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

3 lbs chicken wings, flats and drumettes

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1/4 cup ketchup

2 tablespoons rice vinegar

1 tablespoon sesame oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated

1/2 cup pineapple juice

Sliced green onions, for garnish

Sesame seeds, for garnish

Instructions

1-Pat the wings dry: Pat wings dry with paper towels to ensure crispy skin.

2-Make the huli huli sauce: Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and pineapple juice; simmer 5 minutes until slightly thickened.

3-Reserve basting sauce: Set aside half of the sauce for basting and glazing later.

4-Marinate the wings: Place wings in the remaining sauce and refrigerate 2-4 hours.

5-Preheat the grill: Heat grill to medium-high and clean grates.

6-Grill skin-side down: Remove wings from marinade, discard marinade, place skin-side down, and grill 10-12 minutes until skin crisps.

7-Flip and continue cooking: Flip wings and cook 8-10 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.

8-Glaze over high heat: Brush with reserved sauce, increase heat to high, and grill 2-3 minutes until caramelized.

9-Serve and garnish: Transfer to platter, garnish with green onions and sesame seeds, serve immediately.

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Notes

💡 Pat wings completely dry before marinating to achieve the crispiest skin possible.
⏰ Do not marinate longer than 8 hours — the pineapple’s acidity can break down the meat and make it mushy.
🔥 For baked wings, cook at 400°F on a wire rack for 40-45 minutes, then broil for 2-3 minutes to caramelize.

  • Author: Ruby Bennett
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Marinate: 2 to 4 hours
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Grill
  • Cuisine: Hawaiian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6 wings
  • Calories: 380
  • Sugar: 15g
  • Sodium: 820mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 18g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 26g
  • Cholesterol: 120mg

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