Grilled Pineapple Chicken Skewers
Grilled Pineapple Chicken Skewers
Course: Dinner, AppetizersCuisine: American, HawaiianDifficulty: Easy6
servings1
hour20
minutes12
minutes1
hour32
minutesThese Grilled Pineapple Chicken Skewers are the perfect combination of sweet, smoky, and savory flavors. Juicy marinated chicken is layered with caramelized pineapple, colorful peppers, and red onion before being grilled to perfection and brushed with a sticky pineapple BBQ glaze. Every bite is packed with tropical flavor and a hint of smokiness, making these skewers the ultimate recipe for summer cookouts, backyard barbecues, or an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- For the Chicken & Skewers
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1½-inch pieces
3 cups fresh pineapple chunks
2 red bell peppers, cut into large pieces
1 red onion, cut into wedges
Wooden or metal skewers
- For the Hawaiian Marinade
½ cup pineapple juice
¼ cup soy sauce
3 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp honey
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- For the Pineapple BBQ Glaze
½ cup barbecue sauce
¼ cup pineapple preserves
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
- For the Garnishes
Chopped cilantro
Sliced green onions
Sesame seeds
Lime Wedges
Directions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, olive oil, ketchup, honey, garlic, ginger, smoked paprika, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Add the chicken and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 8 hours.
- In a small saucepan, combine the barbecue sauce, pineapple preserves, honey, apple cider vinegar, and hot sauce. Simmer over low heat for 3–4 minutes until smooth. Set aside.
- Thread the marinated chicken, pineapple, bell peppers, and onion onto skewers, alternating the ingredients.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates.
- Grill the skewers for 10–12 minutes, turning every few minutes. During the last 3–4 minutes, brush generously with the pineapple BBQ glaze, allowing it to caramelize slightly. Cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Transfer the skewers to a serving platter. Brush with any remaining glaze and garnish with cilantro, green onions, sesame seeds, and fresh lime wedges.
Notes
- Chicken thighs stay juicier than chicken breasts on the grill.
- Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling.
