7 Classic Side Dishes To Serve With Huli Huli Chicken

Huli Huli chicken is a Hawaiian delicacy that’s the perfect meal for a casual dinner party with friends or family.

It’s delicious and easy to make, and it goes well with many sides.

If you’re new to Hawaiian cuisine, or even if you’ve been eating it all your life (we won’t tell), then let this guide help you serve up a delicious feast!

What is Huli Huli chicken?

Huli Huli chicken is a Hawaiian dish that can be served with a variety of sides.

This recipe starts with marinating the chicken in a sweet and spicy sauce, then grilling it until it’s charred.

The term “Huli” means “to turn” in Hawaiian (and also sounds kind of like “hula”—hence the dancing), referring to how the chicken is cooked by turning constantly.

As you flip your chicken over and over to cook all sides evenly, don’t worry if some parts get burnt first: just keep turning until everything is done!

Chicken thighs are the common cut for this recipe, but if you want something lower in fat, chicken breasts can be a good option to go.

7 best side dishes to serve with Huli Huli chicken

Here are some best side dish recipes that both come from Hawaiian cuisine and our daily American cuisine, and the best part is that they all work well with Huli Huli chicken.

Hawaiian rice

[amazon fields=”B0093ZTUEA” value=”thumb” image=”1″ image_size=”large” image_align=”center”]

Hawaiian rice is a quick and easy side dish that pairs well with just about anything.

It’s especially good with Huli Huli chicken, because it uses up leftover rice in the fridge, and it’s so simple to make.

Just dump some uncooked white rice into a saucepan, add water or broth (or even chicken stock), cover with a lid, and let simmer until all liquid is absorbed—that’s all there is to it!

You can use white rice or brown rice depending on your preference.

Each has its slightly different taste, texture, and nutritional value that someone can find suitable for their diet restriction.

Chow mein

[amazon fields=”B07DJR9BQZ” value=”thumb” image=”1″ image_size=”large” image_align=”center”]

Chow mein is a stir-fry dish made with noodles, meat, and vegetables. It’s a China dish that is also popular in Hawaii and the United States.

Chow Mein can be served with Huli Huli Chicken on the same plate or on the side for people to make their plates.

In Hawaii, it is usually served at Chinese Restaurants as an appetizer or main course.

Pupu platter with fresh fruits, crackers, and cheese

[amazon fields=”B0B11ZK39Y” value=”thumb” image=”1″ image_size=”large” image_align=”center”]

Pupu platter is a Hawaiian snack that consists of a collection of small bites, which can be served at parties or family gatherings.

Pupu is the Hawaiian word for “snack” and platter refers to the metal tray on which the snacks are served.

There are many different kinds of pupu, but they’re all meant to complement a meal and not replace it.

These snacks can include fruits, crackers, cheese cubes, and nuts.

Sometimes, there’s also some sort of meat, such as teriyaki chicken luaus.

Hawaiian macaroni salad

[amazon fields=”B00HQUJRZG” value=”thumb” image=”1″ image_size=”large” image_align=”center”]

Hawaiian macaroni salad is a popular side dish to serve with Huli Huli chicken.

It is mayonnaise-based, so it’s great for picnics because you don’t have to worry about the noodles getting soggy.

You should add the celery, onion, bell pepper, and ham for extra flavor and a more vibrant look; stir gently until combined.

Toss in the drained pasta and stir again until everything is coated well with the dressing.

Fruit salad

[amazon fields=”B0832ZV76S” value=”thumb” image=”1″ image_size=”large” image_align=”center”]

Fruit salads are a great way to add some variety to your meal.

Traditional Hawaiian fruit salad is prepared with some common tropical fruits like chunks of fresh pineapple, papaya, and mango.

To make it more filling, you can add coconut flakes or macadamia nuts.

Or if you want an easy dessert recipe that’s sure to impress your friends and family members, try this “Huli Huli” grilled pineapple recipe that has been adapted from the famous restaurant chain Golden Corral.

Roasted root vegetables

[amazon fields=”B07VPTHN92″ value=”thumb” image=”1″ image_size=”large” image_align=”center”]

Root vegetables are a great side dish for this Huli Huli chicken or any other meat-based dish.

They’re easy to roast, high in fiber and antioxidants, low-calorie, high-vitamin, and mineral content—and they taste great when roasted too.

The best way to roast root vegetables is in an oven at a low temperature, just like you would do with potatoes.

The vegetables will turn brown and caramelize without burning if they’re roasted long enough.

There are so many different kinds of root vegetables that you can use for this dish!

You can use carrots, parsnips, beets, sweet potatoes, or regular potatoes.

Baked sweet potatoes

[amazon fields=”B0787VSLKL” value=”thumb” image=”1″ image_size=”large” image_align=”center”]

Sweet potatoes can also make a great side dish for Huli Huli chicken.

It is not hard to find this dish in our daily meals, but it also pairs well with the Hawaiian flavor.

Sweet potatoes make a great base for other dishes, so you can add whatever flavors you prefer.

Sweet potatoes are also versatile—you can bake them whole or slice them into wedges.

A dollop of sour cream over your baked sweet potatoes will be an excellent way to decorate and add flavor to the dish.

If you have leftover sweet potatoes from another meal, use that in place of canned pumpkin in your next batch of pies or cakes.

Conclusion

We hope this has given you some inspiration for the next time you want to serve Huli Huli chicken.

These side dish ideas are all easy and quick to make, and the ingredients are available and affordable too.

You can use this list of side dish ideas to serve with Huli Huli chicken for your next dinner party, or just for a weeknight family meal.

And believe us, everyone at the table will find at least one favorite.