Huli huli chicken is a sweet, smoky Hawaiian grilled chicken dish that is absolutely delicious. But what should you serve alongside it to round out the meal? With its tangy, barbecue-like flavor, the possibilities are endless!
In this article I’ll suggest 33 of the best side dishes to serve with huli huli chicken. From rice and veggies to salads and bread there’s something here for everyone.
A Brief Overview of Huli Huli Chicken
Let’s start with a quick rundown of what exactly huli huli chicken is. This tasty dish originated in Hawaii and consists of chicken that is:
- Marinated in a sauce made of soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic and other spices
- Grilled over an open flame or barbecue
- Basted or brushed with the leftover marinade while cooking to keep it moist
The name “huli huli” comes from the Hawaiian word meaning “turn turn” – referring to how the chicken is rotated to cook evenly and get coated in the sauce,
The end result is tender, juicy chicken with a slightly charred exterior that is coated in a sweet, gingery glaze. It’s finger-licking good!
Best Starch Sides for Huli Huli Chicken
A filling starch or grain dish helps balance out a plate of huli huli chicken. Here are some excellent options:
Pineapple Fried Rice
Buttery, pineapple-studded fried rice is a tropical match made in heaven. The sweetness pairs perfectly with the huli huli sauce. Diced chicken can be stirred right in too.
Coconut Rice
For coconut rice, regular white or brown rice is cooked in a mixture of coconut milk and chicken broth. Shredded coconut adds texture and flavor.
Macaroni Salad
A Hawaiian plate lunch staple, macaroni salad is a mayo-dressed pasta salad with a sweet, tangy flavor. It complements the chicken well.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Wedges of sweet potato roasted until caramelized are a winner alongside huli huli chicken. They add natural sweetness to the plate.
Quinoa
Protein-packed quinoa makes a lighter and healthier alternative to rice. Toss it with vinaigrette and diced mango for a tropical side.
Polenta
Creamy, buttery polenta is an interesting substitute for potatoes or rice. Top it with extra barbecue sauce from the chicken.
Roasted Cauliflower
Roasting cauliflower brings out its natural sweetness. Toss florets in oil and spices and roast until browned and tender.
Fresh Vegetable Sides for Huli Huli Chicken
Crunchy, fresh vegetables help to balance the rich chicken. Some great options include:
Grilled Corn on the Cob
Leave corn in the husk and grill it alongside the chicken, turning occasionally, until lightly charred. Slather with butter.
Grilled Veggie Skewers
Skewer cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, zucchini, onions, and pineapple chunks to grill. Baste with reserved marinade.
Steamed Broccoli
Simple steamed or sautéed broccoli pairs nicely with the chicken. Toss in garlic, lemon, and olive oil.
Coleslaw
A vinegary coleslaw with shredded cabbage and carrots serves as a refreshing counterpoint to the sweet and spicy chicken.
Cucumber Salad
Chopped cucumbers tossed in a rice vinegar dressing make a light, crunchy side dish.
Roasted Asparagus
Fresh asparagus roasted with olive oil, salt and pepper is a quick and healthy option.
Salads for Serving with Huli Huli Chicken
Salads provide color and nutrition when served alongside this barbecue chicken. Consider these salads:
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Elbow macaroni, diced pineapple, carrots, and mayonnaise or Miracle Whip make this sweet salad authentic.
Watermelon Feta Salad
Cubes of juicy watermelon, salty feta cheese, red onion and fresh mint create a delicious summer salad.
Kale Caesar Salad
Massaged kale, parmesan, croutons and a zesty Caesar dressing turn this into a main dish salad.
Tropical Fruit Salad
A medley of diced mango, pineapple, kiwi and berries makes a refreshing fruity salad.
Potato Salad
Old-fashioned potato salad with a creamy mayo dressing and hard boiled eggs is a classic side dish.
Pasta Salad Primavera
Bite-size veggies like bell peppers and broccoli florets tossed with pasta and Italian dressing.
Breads & Rolls for Serving with Huli Huli Chicken
Warm breads and rolls work nicely for pulling the chicken apart and soaking up extra sauce.
Hawaiian Rolls
These sweet, fluffy yeast rolls are perfect for chicken sliders. Pineapple juice in the dough gives them tropical flavor.
Cornbread
Warm, buttery cornbread is ideal for mopping up any barbecue sauce left on the plate.
Dinner Yeast Rolls
Soft, pillowy yeast rolls are simple to bake at home. Brush with butter or dip in sauce.
Biscuits
Flaky, savory biscuits pair well with the chicken. Bake up a batch to serve warm.
Naan Bread
Grilled naan bread brushed with garlic butter can substitute for rolls.
Pita Bread
For individual meals, stuff pieces of the chicken into warm pita pockets with veggies and sauce.
Final Thoughts
Huli huli chicken offers endless possibilities when it comes to side dishes. Everything from Hawaiian mac salad to fresh tropical fruit complements the sweet and tangy chicken beautifully.
Veggies, starches, salads, and bread provide the perfect balance of flavors, textures, and nutrition to round out the plate. Try out a variety of combinations to find your favorites!
Huli Huli Chicken Sides
Huli Huli chicken tastes divine with homemade Mexican rice. It is an excellent rice dish featuring vegetables such as carrots and peas.
Follow the tagged recipe to cook yourself a meal and enjoy the two amazing dishes together.
Since having a chicken dish alone is boring, pair it with crispy green beans. Huli Huli chickens strong flavor tastes great with the beans, and you get a meal worth every bite.
You can also add a sauce to the mix and enjoy a flavorful food experience.
Charro beans contain boiled beans, bacon, thyme, and cumin powder as integral parts of the recipe. Use the instructions to create this wonderful dish and serve it with Huli Huli chicken.
Since charro beans have gravy, they complement the dry chicken pretty well.
If you dont want your side dish to empower the flavors of Huli Huli chicken, choose a lentil salad as an option. It is a healthy salad with a mild flavor and is pretty fulfilling.
Also, you can customize the salad by adding your favorite vegetables. Simply mix all the given ingredients, and you are good to go.
Are you too hungry and want a proper meal? In that case, plate your Huli Huli chicken and serve it with brown rice and vegetables.
Brown rice is pretty wholesome and also very healthy. Besides, it pairs well with your chicken dish, giving you a satisfying meal.
Treat yourself and your loved ones with Huli Huli chicken and quinoa salad. This is a healthy yet fulfilling salad with all the ingredients required for a satisfying meal. It can also be made quickly, making the salad perfect for urgent dinners or lunches.
Are you in the mood to have some pasta with your chicken dish? If yes, we present feta pasta, perfect with all the sauces and cheese to make your day.
It is a healthy pasta with ingredients like shallots, tomatoes, pasta, feta, and thyme. Dig into the recipe and create a bowl or two to enjoy.
Here is another mouthwatering pasta recipe to make your day. The tropical flavors of the Huli Huli chicken make it easy for you to pair the dish with various items. In that case, you can also enjoy the dish with pizza pasta.
This salad tastes of pizza and is very delicious. You get the ideal warmth on every bite and enjoy different flavors all mingled with each other. It is easy to make, so try to surprise your family tonight.
Serve yourself some Huli Huli chicken with a loaf of rosemary bread. This is a soft and delicious bread with tones of rosemary. You can bake the bread at home using the tagged recipe and enjoy its wonderful taste.
Do you want to feed your Huli Huli chicken to your kids? If yes, we recommend serving it with a kid-friendly side dish such as onion rings.
While the taste of this chicken is light and tempting, picky eaters may still resist having it. So, the best way to feed them the chicken is by serving it with an attractive side option.
Use the tagged recipe to make crispy onion rings within a few minutes.
This is a quick and healthy side dish to go with Huli Huli chicken. It features roasting root vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, beets, and parsnips. For seasoning, the expert has used salt, black pepper, rosemary leaves, and olive oil.
The wonderful dish is perfect to be served in large gatherings.
Cook a meal with twice-baked potatoes and Huli Huli chicken. You can use the tagged recipe to make the softest, moist, and crispy potatoes with just a few ingredients. They are the favorite of kids and adults alike, so it is a perfect reason to have them for family dinners.
This salad is one of our favorites, courtesy of its amazing ingredients and delicious dressing. Apple spinach salad contains baby spinach, apples, red onions, walnuts, cranberries, and goat cheese. You can use honey, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, mustard, garlic cloves, salt, and pepper for the delicious dressing.
All the ingredients gel together, giving you an amazing treat.
This is an addictive apple salad, perfect to complement your chicken dish. Make a big bowl and see it finish as quickly as possible.
We love the pineapple flavor in Huli Huli chicken, so it makes sense to pair it with this delicious pineapple salsa. The side dish contains dice pineapples, bell peppers, red onion, cilantro, and jalapeno seeds. Read the tagged recipe to find other essential ingredients required to make this beautiful dish.
These are soft and fluffy, perfect for serving with Huli Huli chicken. Use the recipe shared to make a big batch of these rolls. Then serve them warm and enjoy their pairing with your chicken dish.
Next, we have the delicious and fulfilling jicama slaw as a healthy side dish. It is made of many ingredients. However, it is a budget-friendly dish with great taste and texture.
Eat it with your chicken dish, and thank us later.
Since Huli Huli chicken is a Hawaiian dish, pairing it with a Hawaiian side dish makes sense. This macaroni salad is creamy and rich. Besides, it uses ingredients like apple cider vinegar and onions to make it different from the rest.
Cook this amazing dish and share your views with us.
Our next suggestion for you is a unique potato mac salad. The dish contains potatoes, macaroni, sugar, mayonnaise, and other ingredients to make it taste great. Serve it with your chicken dish and woo your guests.
Finally, you can also enjoy your Huli Huli chicken with grilled pineapples. They are sweet with an ideal smoky taste and aroma to make your day.
Use the tagged recipe to make the best grilled pineapples, and enjoy your plate to the fullest.
There is nothing more accurate than pineapples to remind you of Hawaii.
20 Side Dishes For Huli Huli Chicken
- Mexican rice
- Crispy green beans
- Charro beans
- Lentil salad
- Brown rice and vegetables
- Quinoa salad
- Feta pasta
- Pizza pasta
- Rosemary bread
- Onion rings
- Roasted root vegetables
- Twice-baked potatoes
- Apple Spinach salad
- Creamy apple slaw
- Pineapple salsa
- Hawaiian rolls
- Jicama slaw
- Hawaiian macaroni salad
- Potato mac salad
- Grilled pineapples
HULI HULI CHICKEN | Hawaii’s Famous Grilled Chicken
FAQ
What to eat with huli chicken?
Traditionally prepared boneless chicken. Marinated for hours and charbroiled over an open flame. Served Hawaiian plate lunch style with steamed rice and potato macaroni salad.
What is a good side dish for Hawaiian chicken?
- Save for Later! …
- Save for Later! …
- Grilled Mango | The Mediterranean Dish. …
- Caramelized Brown Sugar Cinnamon Grilled Pineapple. …
- Roasted Sesame Broccoli – Overtime Cook. …
- Authentic Hawaiian Macaroni Salad. …
- Quinoa with Edamame, Ginger, and Lime — Rebecca Katz.
What is the difference between teriyaki and huli-huli?
… huli huli uses soy sauce, some variety of sweetener, and ginger, it strays from teriyaki when it includes pineapple juice and other types of acid like …Jul 3, 2024
What are some side dishes to serve with chicken?
- Cranberry Apple Quinoa Salad. PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE. …
- French Onion Cabbage Gratin. …
- Garlic-Parmesan Roasted Carrots. …
- Air Fryer Green Beans. …
- Smashed Brussels Sprouts. …
- Roasted Fennel With Delicata Squash & Apples. …
- Sweet Potato Salad. …
- Creamy Tuscan Orzo.