Pineapple Chicken Kabobs (Printable)
Marinated chicken and pineapple grilled on skewers with colorful vegetables for a sweet and savory summer meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Protein & Marinade
01 - 1.1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 2 tbsp soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
03 - 2 tbsp honey
04 - 1 tbsp olive oil
05 - 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
06 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
→ Fruit & Vegetables
08 - 1 medium pineapple, peeled, cored, cut into 1-inch cubes
09 - 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
10 - 1 red onion, peeled and cut into wedges
→ Grilling & Garnish
11 - Wooden or metal skewers
12 - Fresh cilantro or parsley (optional garnish)
# Method:
01 - In a large bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, olive oil, lime juice, minced garlic, and black pepper until well combined.
02 - Add the chicken cubes to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor penetration.
03 - If using wooden skewers, submerge them in water for 30 minutes prior to grilling to prevent burning.
04 - Thread the marinated chicken, pineapple cubes, bell pepper pieces, and onion wedges alternately onto the skewers, distributing the ingredients evenly.
05 - Preheat an outdoor grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, approximately 375°F to 400°F.
06 - Place the kabobs on the grill and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, turning occasionally with tongs, until the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F and the pineapple shows light caramelization.
07 - Remove the kabobs from the grill and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro or parsley if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The marinade does double duty, tenderizing the chicken while building a glaze that caramelizes on the grill.
- Pineapple chunks get these gorgeous golden edges that taste like candy meets barbecue.
- Everything cooks on one skewer so cleanup is almost nonexistent.
02 -
- Do not rush the marinade time because 30 minutes is the bare minimum for the flavors to actually penetrate the chicken.
- Cut everything the same size or some pieces will burn while others are still raw inside.
03 -
- Pat the pineapple cubes dry before threading them onto the skewers so the marinade sugars caramelize instead of steaming.
- Leave a tiny bit of space between pieces on the skewer so the heat can reach all sides of each ingredient.