Baked Huli Huli Chicken Dinner (Printable Version)

Juicy chicken baked in a vibrant pineapple-soy sauce, perfect for a flavorful, easy weeknight dinner.

# What You'll Need:

→ Main

01 - 1.4 kg chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on

→ Sauce

02 - 240 ml pineapple juice
03 - 120 ml soy sauce
04 - 110 g light brown sugar, packed
05 - 80 ml ketchup
06 - 60 ml chicken broth
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated
08 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
09 - 2 teaspoons sesame oil
10 - 15 ml water
11 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch

→ Garnish

12 - Fresh pineapple slices, optional
13 - Green onions, sliced, optional
14 - Sesame seeds, optional

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat oven to 190°C. Arrange chicken thighs in a single layer in a large baking dish.
02 - In a saucepan, mix pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, chicken broth, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
03 - Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
04 - Whisk together cornstarch and water in a small bowl until smooth. Gradually add slurry to the simmering sauce, whisking continuously until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
05 - Pour the thickened sauce over the chicken thighs, ensuring they are thoroughly coated.
06 - Bake in the preheated oven for 45–60 minutes, until the chicken reaches 74°C internal temperature and the sauce is bubbling and caramelized. Baste with sauce halfway through cooking for enhanced flavor.
07 - Remove from the oven and let rest a few minutes before serving. Garnish with pineapple slices, sliced green onions, and sesame seeds if desired.

# Additional Notes:

01 - For a lighter option, substitute boneless, skinless chicken but reduce cooking time to prevent dryness.
02 - Marinating the chicken in a portion of the sauce for several hours or overnight develops deeper flavor; reserve additional sauce for basting and serving.
03 - Add Sriracha or crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce for a bit of heat.
04 - If pineapple juice is unavailable, mango nectar provides a similar tropical fruit profile.
05 - For a traditional smoky note, finish the chicken on a hot grill for a few minutes on each side after baking.

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