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America's Melting Pot
Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken hero image coming soon
1945-2000 - Hawaiian roadside vendors and home barbecuers.
Huli Huli chicken is a Hawaiian grilled chicken marinated in a sweet-savory teriyaki-style sauce, cooked on a spit or grill. It captures Hawaii's barbecue culture blending native and immigrant flavors and is a festive dish for outdoor gatherings.
Difficulty
Medium
Prep time
15 minutes plus marinating
Cook time
45 minutes
Total time
1 hour
Servings
6
Region
Honolulu, Hawaii
Era introduced
1945-2000
Introduced by
Hawaiian roadside vendors and home barbecuers.
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Huli Huli chicken originated in mid-20th-century Hawaii, where roadside stands began serving grilled chicken glazed with a distinctive sweet and smoky sauce. The dish reflects the multicultural mix of Hawaiian, Filipino, Japanese, and American influences. The name "Huli Huli" means "turn turn" in Hawaiian, referencing the turning of the bird on the grill. It remains a beloved symbol of Hawaiian barbecue, enjoyed at festivals, luaus, and family cookouts.
This recipe is based on traditional and contemporary Hawaiian barbecue methods; marinade ingredients vary by cook. Provenance refinement: Huli huli chicken is anchored to Ernest Morgado of Pacific Poultry, who served his teriyaki-style barbecue chicken at a farmers gathering in Hawaii in 1955. Sources include Hawaii Magazine, "How to Make Hawaii-Style Huli-Huli Chicken" (https://www.hawaiimagazine.com/how-to-make-hawaii-style-huli-huli-chicken/) and PBS SoCal, "Asian-Pacific American Month Recipe: Huli Huli Chicken" (https://www.pbssocal.org/food-discovery/food/asian-pacific-american-month-recipe-huli-huli-chicken).
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