If there’s one thing you must try while vacationing in Hawaii, it’s Hawaiian Barbecue chicken. Fortunately, you don’t need to travel all the way there to enjoy its flavors—I’ll teach you how to make it right at home!
My Favorite Hawaiian Barbecue Chicken
Hawaiian Barbecue chicken features chicken thighs that are marinated in shoyu mixed with garlic and ginger. After marinating, throw them on the grill to get that smoky flavor, or if unavailable, cook them in a cast iron skillet for that perfect sear. The result is incredibly delicious and tender chicken! Plus, it’s super easy to prepare in large batches, making it a great option for potlucks.
Crafting the Perfect Marinade
The secret to the best barbecue chicken is in the marinade. Chicken thighs easily soak up all the flavor to make it so tasty and tender. While premade marinades are an option, I prefer making my own. It’s super easy and you can tailor it to your taste preferences, whether you like it sweeter or saltier. I also like to marinate my chicken overnight. However, if you’re in a hurry, even 30 minutes will still do the trick.
Ingredients
- Chicken Thighs – I like using thighs because it’s a little fattier and has more flavor than chicken breasts.
- Shoyu – My favorite brand to use is Aloha Shoyu, they have the best selection and are probably the #1 brand used in Hawaii
- Ketchup
- Brown Sugar
- Ginger – Fresh, minced.
- Garlic – Fresh, minced.
Cooking Method
While traditional Hawaiian BBQ Chicken is often grilled, you can achieve equally fantastic results using a cast iron skillet. Here’s how:
- Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until it’s nice and hot.
- Carefully place the marinated chicken pieces onto the skillet.
- Cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side, or until they develop a beautiful char and are cooked through.
Be prepared for a bit of smoke, so it’s a good idea to open your windows and ensure proper ventilation.
Tips and Tricks
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Choose chicken thighs over chicken breasts because it has more flavor and fat.
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Marinate the chicken at least overnight to ensure the chicken soaks up all the flavor.
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Rest the chicken after cooking and before serving/cutting.
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Don’t overcook the chicken because you don’t want it to get dried out.
How to Serve Hawaiian Barbecue Chicken
I love to enjoy mine with a side of white rice and Kimchi! In Hawaii, depending on where you get it, they add some macaroni salad. If you get it from a Korean Barbecue spot, they usually have sides like mayonnaise potato, bean sprouts, cabbage, seaweed, and other toppings to choose from.
Best Hawaiian Barbecue Chicken Spots on Oahu
- Yummys Korean BBQ – This is my favorite spot to get Hawaiian Barbecue chicken. They also have a bunch of other plate options to choose from that are so delicious!
- L&L Hawaiian Barbecue – This is a pretty popular spot to get Barbecue chicken and other local plate lunches too! They have a great selection of different things to try as well!
If you aren’t able to try these spots out on Oahu, don’t worry. This recipe tastes just like the real deal!! Just eat it with rice and your favorite toppings! I hope you enjoy! Check out some of my other favorite chicken recipes like Mochiko Chicken or Chicken Katsu.
Hawaiian BBQ Chicken
Ingredients
- 1.5 Lb Chicken thighs skinless, boneless
- 1 cup shoyu
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp ginger minced
- 2 tsp garlic minced
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to large bowl or large ziplock with the chicken. Mix everything together and marinate for 8-12 hours.
- Heat large cast iron skillet (or grill) and when hot enough add chicken. Cook for about 10-15 minutes on Medium flipping halfway. Remove from heat once chicken is thoroughly cooked.
- Serve with side of rice! Enjoy!!