🧂 Ingredients

• 3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (juicier) or breasts
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• salt
• pepper
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp fresh grated ginger
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• pinch of red pepper flakes
• ¼ cup pineapple juice
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 2 tsp water

📖 Instructions

🍍 Hawaiian Marinade:
1 cup pineapple juice
¼ cup soy sauce
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp fresh grated ginger (or ½ tsp ground ginger)
1 tbsp rice vinegar (optional)
Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes or splash of hot sauce

🍗 Marinate the Chicken (Prep Ahead):
Combine all marinade ingredients in a large bowl or zip-top bag.
Add the chicken, coat well, and marinate for at least 2 hours or preferably overnight in the fridge.

🔥 Prepare the Smoker:
Preheat to 250°F (121°C).
Use fruit wood for a lightly sweet, smoky flavor.

🌫️ Smoke the Chicken:
Remove chicken from marinade, pat dry, and drizzle lightly with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
Place chicken directly on the smoker grate.
Smoke until internal temp reaches 165°F (usually 1.5–2 hours).
Optional: spritz with a bit of pineapple juice halfway through for moisture and shine.

🍴 Shred the Chicken:
Transfer chicken to a tray or bowl, tent with foil, and rest for 10–15 minutes.
Shred using two forks or gloved hands.

Hawaiian Glaze:
¼ cup pineapple juice
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp cornstarch + 2 tsp water (to thicken)

✨ Optional Glaze (Adds Shine and Sweetness):
In a saucepan, heat pineapple juice, soy sauce, and brown sugar.
Bring to a simmer. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until slightly thickened.
Toss shredded chicken in the glaze before serving.

🍽️ Serving Ideas
On Hawaiian sweet rolls with slaw
In tacos with grilled pineapple and spicy mayo
Over coconut rice with veggies
In BBQ bowls with pickled onions and avocado

🍷 Best Wine Pairings for Hawaiian Pulled Chicken:
1. Off-Dry Riesling
Bright acidity with a touch of sweetness balances the pineapple juice and brown sugar while cutting through the soy sauce’s saltiness.

2. Gewürztraminer
Aromatic, slightly spicy, and fruity, it mirrors the ginger and pineapple flavors nicely.

3. Sauvignon Blanc
Crisp, zesty, and herbaceous—great for refreshing the palate and matching the vinegar and ginger’s brightness.

4. Rosé (Dry or Off-Dry)
Fresh and fruity with enough acidity to balance sweetness and complement the savory soy and garlic.