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Best Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Recipe for Easy Summer Barbecue Chicken Nights

Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Dinner Ideas for Fast and Flavorful Summer Meals

This Hawaiian BBQ Chicken is a sweet, savory, and easy grilled dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights and summer cookouts. Juicy chicken thighs soak in a flavorful Hawaiian-style marinade made with soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger, then grill up tender with a delicious caramelized glaze. It’s a simple make-ahead recipe that delivers big tropical flavor with very little effort. Serve it with rice, salad, avocado, or grilled pineapple for a fresh and satisfying meal. Whether you’re planning a backyard BBQ or a quick family dinner, this recipe is one of the best Hawaiian BBQ Chicken dinner ideas to keep on repeat.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Hawaiian
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • This recipe keeps things simple but the flavor? Big, bold, and seriously good. The marinade brings together sweet, savory, and just enough tang to make every bite irresistible.
You’ll Need
  • 2 –5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • ¾ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • ¾ cup ketchup
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • ⅓ cup chicken broth
  • 2½ teaspoons freshly grated ginger
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • That’s it. A short ingredient list with major backyard-BBQ energy.

Method
 

    1. Make the Marinade

    In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, chicken broth, grated ginger, and minced garlic until everything is well combined.
    The marinade should look rich and glossy with that sweet-savory balance that makes Hawaiian-style chicken so good.
    Before adding the chicken, pour 1 cup of the marinade into a separate airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. You’ll use this reserved sauce later while grilling.
    Important: Only reserve the marinade before the raw chicken goes in.

    2. Marinate the Chicken

    Add the chicken thighs to the bowl with the remaining marinade.
    Toss well so each piece gets fully coated, then cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a lid.
    Place it in the refrigerator and let the chicken marinate for at least 6 hours, or overnight for the best flavor.
    The longer it sits, the better it gets. This is not the moment to rush greatness.

    3. Grill the Chicken

    When you’re ready to cook, preheat your grill.
    Place the marinated chicken thighs directly on the grill and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until fully cooked through.
    As the chicken grills, brush it with the reserved marinade to build extra flavor and create that beautiful sticky glaze on the outside.
    The chicken is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and has a nicely caramelized finish.
    Serve hot and enjoy every juicy, smoky bite.

Notes

Helpful Tips and Easy Swaps

A few simple tips can help this chicken turn out even better.

Marinate overnight for the best flavor

You can get away with 6 hours, but overnight really lets the chicken soak up all that sweet and savory goodness.

Use homemade broth if you have it

It’s not required, but homemade chicken broth can add a little extra depth to the marinade.

Check doneness with a thermometer

Chicken thighs stay juicy, but you still want to cook them properly. 165°F is the target.

Want more tropical flavor?

Try swapping in a pineapple-based marinade if you want to lean even harder into that island-style vibe.

Best Ways to Serve Hawaiian BBQ Chicken

This chicken plays very well with all kinds of side dishes, so you’ve got options depending on whether you want a quick dinner or full cookout spread.

Serving Ideas

  • Serve over warm rice with chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lime
  • Add sliced avocado for a creamy, fresh contrast
  • Pair with grilled pineapple for extra tropical flavor
  • Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions for a simple finishing touch
  • Serve alongside classic BBQ favorites like:
    • pasta salad
    • grilled shrimp
    • avocado salad
Want to switch it up? Skip the rice and serve the chicken over rice noodles or zucchini noodles with veggies like asparagus, bell peppers, or onions.
Basically, this chicken is easygoing. It gets along with almost everything.

Storage, Freezing, and Reheating

Got leftovers? This chicken holds up really well, which makes it great for meal prep too.

How to Store

Keep cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

How to Freeze

Wrap it well or place it in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 4 months.

How to Reheat

Stovetop Method

Warm the chicken in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until heated through. Add a splash of water or a little extra marinade to help keep it juicy.

Microwave Method

You can also reheat it in the microwave in 30-second intervals until warm. Just don’t overdo it unless dry chicken is somehow your thing.