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Molokai Chicken Recipes

A sweet, smoky, and slightly tangy Hawaiian-style grilled chicken made with soy sauce, brown sugar, pineapple juice, and honey. Juicy, tender, and perfect with rice and macaroni salad.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: dinner
Cuisine: Hawaiian-American
Calories: 400
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs Chicken thighs boneless & skinless Stays juicy and tender
  • ½ cup Brown sugar Helps caramelize
  • 1 cup Soy sauce Salty base flavor
  • 2 tbsp Pineapple juice Canned or bottled only
  • ½ cup Honey Adds glaze
  • ½ cup Ketchup Adds body & tang
  • 1 tbsp Ginger paste Warm flavor
  • ½ tsp Garlic powder Mild garlic taste
  • ½ tsp Black pepper Balances sweetness
  • ½ tsp Paprika Light smoky touch
  • Avocado oil For grilling

Equipment

  • 1 Large Bowl For mixing marinade
  • 1 Whisk Helps dissolve sugar
  • 1 Resealable bag Best for even marinating
  • 1 Grill or Grill Pan Medium heat recommended
  • 1 Meat thermometer Check doneness at 165°F
  • 1  Cutting board For slicing chicken

Method
 

Step 1
  1. Clean and trim the chicken thighs. Pat them dry completely so the marinade sticks better.
Step 2
  1. In a large bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, pineapple juice, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper. In a separate small bowl, mix the honey with ketchup, then pour it into the main bowl and whisk until smooth.
Step 3
  1. Place the chicken thighs into a resealable bag. Pour the marinade over them, seal the bag, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for deeper flavor.
Step 4
  1. Heat your grill or grill pan over medium heat. Add a little avocado oil, then cook the chicken for 6–8 minutes per side until glossy, caramelized, and fully cooked at 165°F.
Step 5
  1. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes. Slice or serve whole with rice or Hawaiian macaroni salad. Spoon any leftover pan glaze over the top.

Notes

To achieve optimum results, chicken should be marinated a day before. Cook Before grilling marinade off or it will burn. Customers should serve with steamed rice, Hawaiian macaroni salad, and grilled pineapple slices to have a typical island style plate.