Grilled Pineapple Chicken Skewers (Printer-Friendly)

Tender chicken with tropical spices grilled alongside sweet pineapple for a vibrant summer dish.

# What You 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 - 0.33 cup soy sauce, gluten-free preferred
06 - 0.25 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

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together soy sauce, pineapple juice, honey, olive oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, smoked paprika, and black pepper until well combined.
02 - Add chicken cubes to the marinade and toss thoroughly to coat all pieces evenly. 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 and soak for 30 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
04 - Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, reaching approximately 400°F.
05 - Thread marinated chicken, pineapple chunks, bell pepper, and onion pieces alternately onto prepared skewers, distributing components evenly.
06 - Place skewers on the grill and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, rotating every 3 to 4 minutes until chicken reaches full doneness and develops light charring at the edges.
07 - Remove skewers from heat and allow to rest for 2 minutes. Top with fresh cilantro and serve accompanied by lime wedges.

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • The chicken stays incredibly juicy while the pineapple caramelizes into something almost candy-like, creating this perfect sweet-savory contrast.
  • It looks restaurant-worthy on the plate but takes minimal effort, which means more time enjoying the evening instead of sweating over the stove.
02 -
  • Reserve 2 tablespoons of marinade before adding the chicken, then brush it on during grilling—this transforms the skewers from good to incredible with that sticky-sweet glaze.
  • Uneven pieces cook unevenly, so take 30 seconds to cut everything to the same size and your life becomes infinitely easier.
03 -
  • If you're feeding a crowd, skewer everything ahead of time, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate—they'll stay fresh for up to 8 hours and you'll have zero stress when guests arrive.
  • Serve these with coconut rice or a simple lime-cilantro slaw, and people will think you've been training as a grill master all summer.
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