Grilled Pineapple Chicken Skewers (Printable)

Tender chicken cubes paired with caramelized pineapple and grilled to perfection for a vibrant main dish.

# What You'll 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 - 1/3 cup soy sauce, gluten-free certified
06 - 1/4 cup pineapple juice
07 - 2 tablespoons honey
08 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
11 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

→ Garnish

13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
14 - Lime wedges for serving

# How To Make It:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together soy sauce, pineapple juice, honey, olive oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, smoked paprika, and black pepper until fully combined.
02 - Add chicken cubes to the marinade and toss thoroughly to coat all pieces. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours for enhanced flavor development.
03 - If using wooden skewers, submerge them in water for 30 minutes to prevent charring during grilling.
04 - Heat the grill to medium-high temperature, approximately 400°F, allowing adequate time for the grates to reach optimal cooking temperature.
05 - Thread the marinated chicken, pineapple chunks, bell pepper, and onion pieces alternately onto the prepared skewers, ensuring even distribution.
06 - Place skewers on the preheated grill and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, rotating every 3 to 4 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and develops light char marks.
07 - Remove skewers from the grill and allow them to rest for 2 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The chicken stays impossibly tender while the pineapple caramelizes into these jewel-like chunks that steal the show.
  • Your guests will absolutely fall in love with how simple this feels to make but tastes like you spent hours planning.
02 -
  • Reserve 2 tablespoons of raw marinade before adding chicken, then brush it over the skewers as they grill for an extra layer of glaze that sticks beautifully.
  • Don't skip the pineapple juice in the marinade—it's not just flavor, it's an acid that tenderizes the chicken and creates caramelization magic on the grill.
03 -
  • Cut everything to exactly 1½ inches so nothing cooks faster or slower than anything else—consistency is your secret weapon.
  • Let the grill oil smoke just slightly before adding skewers; this prevents sticking and creates that restaurant-quality sear that tastes incredible.
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