Grilled Pineapple Chicken Skewers (Printable version)

Tender grilled chicken cubes combined with sweet pineapple, seasoned and charred for a flavorful summer dish.

# What You Need:

→ Poultry & Produce

01 - 1.5 pounds 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

# Step-by-step guide:

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 to coat evenly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for enhanced flavor development.
03 - If using wooden skewers, submerge them in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
04 - Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, maintaining a temperature of approximately 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
05 - Thread marinated chicken, pineapple chunks, bell pepper, and onion alternately onto skewers, distributing ingredients evenly.
06 - Place skewers on the grill and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, rotating every 3 to 4 minutes, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit and develops light charring at the edges.
07 - Transfer skewers from the grill and allow to rest for 2 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The tropical marinade transforms ordinary chicken into something that tastes like vacation on a stick.
  • You can prep everything the night before, which means less stress and more time hanging out with your guests.
  • They're naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, so nobody has to sit on the sidelines.
  • Those caramelized pineapple chunks actually steal the show—they're where the real magic happens.
02 -
  • Reserve 2 tablespoons of raw marinade before you add the chicken, then brush it over the skewers while they grill—this is the move that separates good skewers from ones people ask for the recipe on.
  • Don't skip the soaking step for wooden skewers; I ignored it once and spent 15 minutes dealing with flaming sticks while my guests watched.
03 -
  • Check your grill temperature with your hand before cooking—hold your palm 6 inches above the grate and count seconds; you want to pull away after 3 to 4 seconds, which means proper medium-high heat.
  • The pineapple chunks brown fastest, so watch them closely; once they've got caramel-colored spots, they're perfect, and pulling them a moment too late turns them to mush.
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