These Pineapple Chicken Kabobs are the perfect taste of summer, with tender, marinated chicken grilled alongside sweet pineapple and colorful veggies. They’re simple to make and bring such a bright, wonderful flavor to any barbecue or weeknight dinner.
Why These Kabobs Feel Like Sunshine
- Flavor Profile: Sweet, savory, and smoky.
- Perfect For: Summer barbecues, easy weeknight dinners, and family gatherings.
- Key Tip: Don’t skip the marinating time; it’s essential for tender, flavorful chicken.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can marinate the chicken and chop the veggies a day in advance.
Gathering Your Sunshine Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 large onion, cut into chunks
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Wooden or metal skewers
My Go-To Tools for This Recipe
Metal Skewers
I love using my reusable metal skewers because they’re sturdy, conduct heat well, and I never have to worry about them burning on the grill.
Basting Brush
A simple silicone basting brush is so helpful for brushing on that extra bit of marinade while the kabobs are cooking, making sure every bite is packed with flavor.
Bringing These Sunshine Kabobs to Life
A Little Prep for Your Skewers
If you’re using wooden skewers, make sure to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes. This is a simple but important step my mom always taught me to keep them from burning to a crisp on the hot grill.
The Heart of the Flavor: The Marinade
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the olive oil, soy sauce, honey, ketchup, minced garlic, ginger, and black pepper. Add the chicken cubes and give everything a good toss to make sure each piece is coated. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the fridge. That little bit of time makes all the difference.
The Fun Part: Assembling Your Kabobs
Once the chicken is ready, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Now for my favorite part! Begin threading the marinated chicken, pineapple chunks, bell peppers, and onion onto your skewers. I love making them as colorful as possible, alternating everything to get a little bit of everything in each bite.
Grilling to Sweet, Smoky Perfection
Place the assembled kabobs on the hot grill. Let them cook for about 10–12 minutes, turning them every few minutes. I like to brush them with any leftover marinade during the last few minutes of cooking to add an extra layer of flavor. You’ll know they’re done when the chicken is cooked through to 165°F (74°C) and you have those beautiful char marks.
The Final Flourish Before Serving
Carefully remove the kabobs from the grill and let them rest for a moment. A sprinkle of fresh parsley or cilantro adds a lovely bit of freshness right before you serve them up.
A Little Note on Nutrition
Please note that the nutritional information provided is an estimate and can vary based on the specific ingredients and quantities you use. This calculation is meant to be a helpful guide as you cook for yourself and your loved ones.
For a Lighter Touch
- Low-Sodium Marinade: To reduce the sodium content, simply swap the regular soy sauce for a low-sodium soy sauce or tamari.
- Natural Sweetener: If you’d like to reduce the sugar, you can use a smaller amount of honey or substitute it with maple syrup.
- More Veggies: Feel free to load up the skewers with even more vegetables! Zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and mushrooms are all wonderful additions that add nutrients and flavor.
How We Love to Enjoy Them
- With Coconut Rice: These kabobs are absolutely heavenly served over a bed of fluffy coconut rice. The subtle sweetness of the rice is the perfect complement to the savory chicken and pineapple.
- Alongside a Simple Salad: For a lighter meal, pair the kabobs with a simple green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette. The freshness of the greens balances the smoky flavor from the grill.
- In a Warm Pita: Slide the chicken and veggies off the skewer and into a warm pita pocket with a dollop of yogurt for a delicious and easy-to-eat sandwich.
A Few Little Secrets for Perfect Kabobs
- Don’t Let Your Skewers Burn: If you forget to soak your wooden skewers, they will likely burn and break on the grill. Don’t skip that 30-minute soak!
- Keep Your Pieces Uniform: Cutting the chicken and vegetables into different sizes will cause them to cook unevenly. Try to keep everything around a uniform 1-inch size for the best results.
- Always Preheat Your Grill: Placing the kabobs on a cold grill can cause the chicken to stick and tear. Make sure your grill is properly preheated to medium-high so you get a perfect sear.
Saving Some for Later
If you have any leftovers, allow the kabobs to cool completely before sliding the chicken and vegetables off the skewers into an airtight container. They will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can enjoy them cold over a salad or gently reheat them in the microwave or a skillet.
From My Kitchen to Yours
There is something so special about the smell of a barbecue on a warm evening, surrounded by family. This recipe is more than just food; it’s the memory of my sister’s bright idea and the taste of summer joy. I hope that when you make these kabobs, they fill your home with warmth and help you create wonderful memories of your own.
Just in Case You Were Wondering…
What if I don’t have a grill?
Absolutely! Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the kabobs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through. You can broil them for the last minute or two to get a little char.
Can I try a different fruit?
Of course. While pineapple is classic, these kabobs would also be delicious with chunks of mango or peaches for a different kind of sweetness.
How far ahead can I prep these?
To save time, you can chop the vegetables and marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance. Just keep them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. I would recommend assembling the kabobs right before you’re ready to grill for the freshest taste.
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Pineapple Chicken Kabobs
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
These Pineapple Chicken Kabobs are the perfect taste of summer, with tender, marinated chicken grilled alongside sweet pineapple and colorful veggies. They’re simple to make and bring such a bright, wonderful flavor to any barbecue or weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 large onion, cut into chunks
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Wooden or metal skewers
Instructions
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, honey, ketchup, minced garlic, ginger, and black pepper.
- Add chicken cubes to the marinade, toss to coat, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to 2 hours).
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Thread marinated chicken, pineapple, bell peppers, and onion onto skewers, alternating for color and flavor.
- Place kabobs on grill and cook for 10–12 minutes, turning every few minutes.
- Brush with leftover marinade during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Cook until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and has grill marks.
- Remove from grill, let rest briefly, and sprinkle with parsley or cilantro before serving.
Notes
For best results, cut chicken and vegetables into uniform pieces for even cooking. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grill
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: pineapple chicken kabobs, grilled chicken, summer barbecue, chicken skewers