These Grilled Pineapple Chicken Skewers are a flavor explosion! Juicy chicken marinated in a sweet and savory sauce, grilled to perfection alongside sweet pineapple chunks. The combination of tender chicken and caramelized pineapple is absolutely irresistible.
Imagine sinking your teeth into a skewer bursting with smoky grilled chicken and the tropical sweetness of pineapple.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: Sweet, savory, smoky, and a touch of tangy.
- Textures: Tender, juicy chicken with slightly charred edges, and soft, caramelized pineapple.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes active, plus 30 minutes marinating time.
- Difficulty: Easy. This recipe is perfect for beginner cooks.
What You’ll Need
These flavorful skewers come together with just a few key components. You’ll need chicken, of course, along with fresh pineapple. The marinade brings everything together, creating the bright, delicious taste. Lastly, the grill helps to give those beautiful char marks to the chicken and pineapple that we all love.
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work perfectly in this recipe, as the marinade will help keep them tender and flavorful. You can also use chicken thighs if you prefer; they’ll be even more juicy!
- Pineapple – Fresh pineapple is a must! It caramelizes beautifully on the grill and provides the perfect sweet counterpoint to the savory chicken.
- Soy Sauce – This adds a salty umami flavor to the marinade.
- Brown Sugar – This balances the saltiness of the soy sauce and helps with caramelization.
- Olive Oil – The olive oil helps the chicken not stick to the grill.
- Ginger and Garlic – Freshly minced ginger and garlic add amazing aromatic complexity to the marinade.
- Lime Juice – Gives a bright, acidic pop that balances the sweetness.
- Red Pepper Flakes (optional) – Add a touch of heat if you like some spice!
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Heat it up: Add a pinch more red pepper flakes for extra heat!
- Add some veggies: Skewer some bell peppers, onions, or zucchini along with the chicken and pineapple for a complete meal.
How to Make Grilled Pineapple Chicken Skewers
- Prepare the Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, olive oil, minced ginger, minced garlic, lime juice, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Marinate the Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into 1 1/2-inch pieces. Place the chicken in a bowl or ziplock bag and pour the marinade over it. Ensure the chicken is coated evenly. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours.
- Prepare the Pineapple: While the chicken marinates, cut the pineapple into 1 1/2-inch chunks.
- Assemble the Skewers: Thread the chicken and pineapple onto skewers, alternating between chicken and pineapple. Try to put a piece of pineapple at each end to help prevent the chicken from drying out.
- Grill the Skewers: Preheat your grill to medium heat. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 8 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the pineapple is caramelized and slightly charred.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the skewers from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
Pro Tip: Don’t skip the marinating step! Marinating the chicken allows it to absorb the delicious flavors, ensuring it’s tender and juicy.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t Overcook: Chicken can dry out quickly. Keep a close eye on the grill and don’t overcook the chicken.
- Soak Wooden Skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before assembling the skewers. This will prevent them from burning on the grill.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: The best way to ensure the chicken is cooked through is to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Preheat the Grill: Make sure your grill is properly preheated to achieve those lovely grill marks and cook the chicken evenly.
FAQs
- Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, you can absolutely use chicken thighs. They tend to be more forgiving and stay juicy, but you may need to adjust the grilling time slightly. - Can I make these skewers ahead of time?
You can marinate the chicken up to 2 hours in advance. Assemble the skewers just before grilling for the best results. - How do I know when the chicken is cooked?
The chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). You can use a meat thermometer to check.
Serving Suggestions
- Rice: Serve with fluffy white rice or coconut rice to absorb the flavorful juices.
- Salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette.
- Coleslaw: A creamy coleslaw provides a cool, crunchy contrast.
- Grilled Corn: Grilled corn on the cob is a great side to go with the skewers!
- Sauce: Serve with a sweet chili sauce on the side for dipping.
Make This Recipe in Advance
You can prepare the marinade and cut the chicken up to 2 hours in advance. Assemble the skewers just before grilling for best results. Leftover cooked chicken skewers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Grilled Pineapple Chicken Skewers
- Total Time: 45 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes (depending on marinating time)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Grilled Pineapple Chicken Skewers are a flavor explosion! Juicy chicken marinated in a sweet and savory sauce, grilled to perfection alongside sweet pineapple chunks.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Skewers
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, chopped into 1 ½ -inch cubes
3 cups cubed fresh pineapple, from 1 pineapple (slice 1-inch thick, then cube)
2 large or 3 small bell peppers, cut into 1 ½ -inch pieces (use assorted colors for contrast)
1 large red onion, cut into 1 ½ -inch pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus additional as needed for brushing the grill
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
12 wooden or metal skewers, about 10 to 12 inches long
For the Marinade and Basting Sauce
⅓ cup reduced sodium soy sauce, or tamari for gluten-free
⅓ cup canned pineapple juice, 100% juice
⅓ cup ketchup
¼ cup packed dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons sesame oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 teaspoons grated or minced fresh ginger root
¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon cornstarch
Instructions
Prep the chicken and marinade. Place chicken in a bag. Whisk marinade ingredients and reserve cup. Pour the rest over the chicken and refrigerate for 1-3 hours.
Soak wooden skewers in water.
Assemble skewers. Heat grill. Toss pineapple, peppers, and onion with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Thread chicken, veggies, and pineapple onto skewers. Discard chicken marinade.
Make the basting sauce. Combine cornstarch and water. Heat reserved marinade, add slurry, and cook until thickened. Set aside.
Grill the kabobs. Brush grill with oil. Grill skewers 5-6 minutes. Flip, brush with sauce, and cook 4-5 minutes until chicken reaches 165F. Flip again, brush with sauce, and serve.
Notes
Don’t skip the marinating step! Marinating the chicken allows it to absorb the delicious flavors, ensuring it’s tender and juicy.
Don’t Overcook: Chicken can dry out quickly. Keep a close eye on the grill and don’t overcook the chicken.
Soak Wooden Skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before assembling the skewers. This will prevent them from burning on the grill.
Use a Meat Thermometer: The best way to ensure the chicken is cooked through is to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).
Preheat the Grill: Make sure your grill is properly preheated to achieve those lovely grill marks and cook the chicken evenly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: Not specified
- Fat: Not specified
- Carbohydrates: Not specified
- Protein: Not specified
