Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Thighs

Mmmm! The taste of Hawaii! These Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Thighs have a sweet, coconut flavor that will take you right to the islands. Marinated in coconut milk, pineapple juice, soy sauce, fresh garlic and ginger, this meal is so  divine, you’ll be craving more!

Hawaiian Chicken Thighs – A Family Favorite!

As I’ve often mentioned, my daughter loves whatever I make that is Hawaiian based. She absolutely loves anything coconut. She also goes crazy over the blend of combination of pineapple juice, coconut milk, soy sauce, and lime juice. So, if you’re a parent, then you know know how special, and important, it is to have your children enjoy the food you make. To see your kids face light up and say, “This is so good!” feels like winning the Super Bowl!

This meal has become one of our family’s favorite meals. It is so easy and so full of so many flavors. I can’t say “flavor” because so many of the ingredients are so noticeable with each bite! Add to the chicken my Sauteed Hawaiian Vegetables and Coconut Lime Rice and you have a meal that will make you think you really are in Hawaii! This is a perfect meal to make during the summer, set up some Hawaiian decorations, and invite some friends over! You’ll have an amazing Hawaiian experience!

Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Thighs

I love using chicken thighs for both marinating and grilling. They just suck up the marinade. The flavor penetrates the meat deeper so the flavor is so much more intense. Chicken thighs are also awesome to grill because they cook more evenly than say chicken breast, and, again, the smoke flavor penetrates more deeply. So, when I came up with idea, chicken thighs were a no brainer for me.

Marinating chicken is also super easy. I place everything in a ziptop bag and leave it on the counter for an hour or 2. This is safe to do and has several benefits. For starters, the meat tends to absorb the marinade better because the proteins are loser than if they were cold. Second, all meat cooks better and more evenly when at room temperature than being taken straight out of the fridge.

What Ingredients Are in Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Thighs?

• Chicken Thighs
• Soy Sauce
• Coconut Milk
• Pineapple Juice
• Brown Sugar
• Sweet Onions
• Fresh Garlic
• Fresh Ginger
• Rice Vinegar
• Fresh Cilantro

Ingredient Notes

Chicken Thighs – chicken thighs work the best for this because of their tenderness and they are just awesome to suck up the marinade. However, there are other cuts that would work well, too, like leg quarters.

Coconut Milk – I always use sweetened coconut milk because unsweetened lacks so much flavor.

Sweet Onions – sweet onions are my goto. I use them way more often than any other onion, including yellow onions. However, yellow onions will still give you great flavor for this meal.

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients except for the chicken thighs in a gallon size zip-top bag an swish around to mix thoroughly. Add the chicken thighs, seal the bag and coat completely. Place the bag in the refrigerator for 2 hours, turning half-way through.
2. When you’re ready to grill, preheat the grill to medium. Be sure to oil the grill grates before adding the chicken.
3. Add the chicken and grill until cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side. Use a meat thermometer to test the chicken is at 165º F.
4. Remove the thighs, tent with foil, and let them rest for about 5 minutes.

What Can I Do with the Leftovers?

You can safely keep the leftovers in the fridge up to 4 days or freeze them for up to 6 months.

To reheat them, (let them thaw on the counter if frozen first), set the oven to 350º F. Place them in a glass baking pan, cover with foil, and heat for 10 minutes.

You can use the microwave and heat for 2 minutes, but the microwave tends to dry them out, so just be aware of that.

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Other Amazing Recipes That You’ll Love!

Click on these links for other great recipes that similar to this Hawaiian Pork Tenderloin! Or type in “Hawaiian” in the search bar to find even more recipes!

Coconut Cilantro Rice

Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Thighs Recipe

Sweet Hawaiian Fish and Vegetables

Caribbean Salmon with Pineapple Mango Salsa

Sauteed Hawaiian Vegetables Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Print

Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Thighs

Course Main Course

Cuisine Hawaiian

Keyword chicken, coconut, coconut milk, Hawaiian, pineapple, pineapple juice, soy sauce, thighs

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Resting Time 2 hours

Ingredients

• 6 Chicken Thighs
• 1/2 cup Soy Sauce
• 3/4 Cup Coconut Milk
• 1/4 Cup Pineapple Juice
• 3 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
• 1/2 Cup Onions, diced
• 6 Cloves Garlic, minced
• 2 Tablespoons Fresh Ginger, minced
• 1 Tablespoon Rice Vinegar
• 2 Tablespoons Fresh Cilantro, chopped

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients except for the chicken thighs in a gallon size zip-top bag an swish around to mix thoroughly. Add the chicken thighs, seal the bag and coat completely. Place the bag in the refrigerator for 2 hours, turning half-way through.

2. When you’re ready to grill, preheat the grill to medium. Add the chicken and grill until cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side. Use a meat thermometer to test the chicken is at 165 degrees. Tent and let rest a couple of minutes.

Recipe Notes

Chicken Thighs - chicken thighs work the best for this because of their tenderness and they are just awesome to suck up the marinade. However, there are other cuts that would work well, too, like leg quarters.

Coconut Milk - I always use sweetened coconut milk because unsweetened lacks so much flavor. 

Sweet Onions - sweet onions are my goto. I use them way more often than any other onion, including yellow onions. However, yellow onions will still give you great flavor for this meal.