Grilled Pineapple Chicken Skewers (Printable)

Tender chicken and caramelized pineapple grilled to vibrant perfection with smoky spices for a summer meal.

# 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 - 1/3 cup soy sauce, gluten-free
06 - 1/4 cup pineapple juice
07 - 2 tablespoons honey
08 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
11 - 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

→ Garnish

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

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large mixing 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 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 degrees Fahrenheit.
05 - Thread marinated chicken pieces, pineapple chunks, bell pepper, and onion alternately onto prepared skewers in a balanced pattern.
06 - Place skewers on the grill and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, rotating every 3 to 4 minutes to ensure even cooking and light charring. Chicken is ready when fully cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
07 - Remove skewers from grill and allow to rest for 2 minutes. Top with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges on the side.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The marinade does all the heavy lifting while you prep other things, leaving you genuinely relaxed before guests arrive.
  • Pineapple juice keeps the chicken impossibly tender and the grill marks look impressive without any real technique required.
  • You can prep everything hours ahead, so grilling becomes the fun part, not the stressful part.
02 -
  • Reserve two tablespoons of marinade before you add the raw chicken, then brush it over the skewers while they grill for an extra glossy, caramelized finish that looks intentional.
  • Turning the skewers every few minutes prevents burning and ensures the chicken stays juicy instead of drying out on one side while the other catches flame.
03 -
  • Cut all your vegetables to match the chicken cubes in size so everything finishes cooking at the same moment, not staggered.
  • If your pineapple feels firm, grill it first on its own for thirty seconds to soften it before adding the other components, so it doesn't roll around mid-grill.
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