Grilled Pineapple Chicken Skewers (Printer View)

Tender chicken cubes with caramelized pineapple and colorful veggies grilled to perfection.

# What you'll need:

→ Poultry & Produce

01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
02 - 1 medium fresh pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into 1.5-inch chunks
03 - 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1.5-inch pieces
04 - 1 red onion, cut into 1.5-inch pieces

→ Marinade

05 - 1/3 cup soy sauce, gluten-free certified
06 - 1/4 cup pineapple juice
07 - 2 tablespoons honey
08 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
11 - 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

→ Garnish

13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
14 - Lime wedges for serving

# Method:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together soy sauce, pineapple juice, honey, olive oil, garlic, ginger, smoked paprika, and black pepper until well combined.
02 - Add chicken cubes to the marinade and toss thoroughly to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours for enhanced flavor development.
03 - If using wooden skewers, submerge them in water for 30 minutes to prevent charring during grilling.
04 - Preheat grill to medium-high heat, maintaining a temperature of approximately 400°F.
05 - Thread marinated chicken, pineapple chunks, bell pepper, and onion alternately onto prepared skewers, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
06 - Place skewers on grill and cook for 12-15 minutes, rotating every 3-4 minutes, until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F and develops slight charring at edges.
07 - Remove skewers from grill and allow to rest for 2 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The chicken stays impossibly juicy while the pineapple gets this gorgeous caramelized crust that tastes like summer.
  • You can prep everything ahead and just throw it on the grill when guests arrive, making you look effortlessly prepared.
  • One marinade does all the heavy lifting, so you're not juggling multiple flavor components.
02 -
  • Reserve 2 tablespoons of raw marinade before adding chicken, then brush it over the skewers during the last few minutes of grilling for an extra glossy, flavorful finish.
  • Don't skip the ginger or that hint of smoked paprika; they're what transform this from a simple grilled chicken situation into something genuinely memorable.
  • Pineapple burns easily, so if the chunks are charring too fast, move the skewers to a cooler part of the grill for the remaining time.
03 -
  • If your pineapple is on the smaller side, cut the chunks slightly larger so they don't disappear through the grill grates.
  • Keep a spray bottle of water nearby in case any marinade drips and flares; a quick spritz keeps things under control without cooling the grill significantly.
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