Pineapple Chicken Kabobs (Printable Version)

Marinated chicken and fresh pineapple grilled on skewers with colorful peppers for a perfect tropical BBQ dish.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken & Marinade

01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
02 - 1/3 cup soy sauce (use gluten-free if needed)
03 - 1/4 cup pineapple juice
04 - 2 tbsp honey
05 - 2 tbsp olive oil
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
08 - 1/2 tsp black pepper

→ Skewers

09 - 1 whole fresh pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into 1.5-inch chunks
10 - 1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1.5-inch pieces
11 - 1 large green bell pepper, cut into 1.5-inch pieces
12 - 1 medium red onion, cut into wedges

→ Garnish (optional)

13 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
14 - Lime wedges

# How-To:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together soy sauce, pineapple juice, honey, olive oil, garlic, ginger, and black pepper until well combined.
02 - Add chicken cubes to the marinade, toss well to coat, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours for deeper flavor.
03 - If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning.
04 - Preheat grill to medium-high heat, approximately 400°F.
05 - Thread chicken, pineapple, bell peppers, and onion alternately onto skewers, distributing ingredients evenly.
06 - Grill kabobs for 12-15 minutes, turning every few minutes, until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are lightly charred.
07 - Remove from grill and let rest for 2-3 minutes. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges if desired.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The marinade does double duty, infusing the chicken with flavor while creating those gorgeous caramelized bits on the grill
  • Everything cooks on one skewer, meaning less cleanup and more time enjoying that tropical summer evening vibe
02 -
  • Reserve some marinade before adding chicken if you want to brush the skewers while grilling—never reuse marinade that has touched raw meat
  • Soaking wooden skewers is non-negotiable unless you want them catching fire and turning your dinner into a campfire
03 -
  • Cutting everything to the same size is the difference between perfectly cooked kabobs and some pieces being raw while others are tough
  • Letting the skewers rest after grilling keeps the chicken juicy—rushing this step makes all those delicious juices run onto your plate instead of staying in the meat

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