Chicken and Pineapple Kabobs Recipe

These Chicken and Pineapple Kabobs are summer grilling perfection on a stick! Juicy chicken chunks marinated in a sweet and savory sauce, threaded with colorful bell peppers and caramelized pineapple chunks. The combination creates the perfect balance of flavors – savory, sweet, and slightly smoky from the grill. Ready in just 40 minutes, these kabobs are ideal for busy weeknight dinners or weekend barbecues when you want something impressive without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Chicken breasts: The star protein that soaks up all the marinade flavors. Boneless, skinless breasts work best as they cook evenly and quickly.
• Pineapple: Brings natural sweetness and a tropical flair to the kabobs. Fresh pineapple caramelizes beautifully on the grill, creating a delicious contrast to the savory chicken.
• Bell peppers: Adds vibrant color, sweet flavor, and a slight crunch. Using different colored peppers makes the kabobs visually appealing.
• Soy sauce: The foundation of the marinade, providing that umami depth. Coconut aminos make a great substitute if you’re avoiding soy.
• Honey: Adds sweetness to the marinade and helps create a beautiful caramelization on the grill.
• Olive oil: Helps the marinade coat the chicken evenly and prevents sticking on the grill.
• Salt: Enhances all the other flavors in the dish.
• Ground ginger: Adds a warm, slightly spicy note that complements the sweet pineapple perfectly.
• Black pepper: Provides a gentle heat that balances the sweet elements.

Variations

Different Protein Options

Swap the chicken for shrimp (reduce cooking time), beef chunks, or firm tofu for vegetarians. Each protein brings its own unique flavor profile to pair with the sweet pineapple.

Veggie Variations

Try adding red onion chunks, zucchini, mushrooms, or cherry tomatoes to your skewers for different flavor combinations and textures.

Marinade Twists

Add minced garlic, a splash of lime juice, or a tablespoon of sriracha to the marinade for different flavor profiles. For a tropical twist, replace some of the soy sauce with teriyaki sauce or add a splash of coconut milk.

Serving Style

Instead of skewers, try cooking everything in a grill basket or even in a cast-iron skillet for a deconstructed kabob bowl served over rice.

How to Make Chicken and Pineapple Kabobs

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Cut chicken breasts into large, even-sized chunks (about 1.5 inches). Place in a ziplock bag with all marinade ingredients, squeeze out excess air, and seal. Massage the bag to distribute marinade evenly. Let marinate for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator, flipping occasionally.

Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables and Fruit

Cut the tops off bell peppers, remove the seeds, and cut into evenly sized chunks. Prepare the pineapple by removing the top, outer rind, and core, then cutting the flesh into chunks similar in size to the chicken pieces.

Step 3: Assemble the Kabobs

Thread the marinated chicken, bell pepper chunks, and pineapple pieces onto skewers, alternating for color and balance. Leave a little space between pieces to ensure even cooking.

Step 4: Grill to Perfection

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place kabobs on the grill and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F) and has nice grill marks. The pineapple should be caramelized with grill marks as well.

Step 5: Rest and Serve

Let the kabobs rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute in the chicken, ensuring maximum juiciness.

How to Serve

Perfect Pairings

These vibrant kabobs pair wonderfully with coconut rice, a simple green salad, or roasted potatoes. For a complete tropical-themed meal, serve alongside some grilled corn with cilantro lime butter.

Sauce Options

Drizzle with a finishing sauce like a pineapple glaze, teriyaki sauce, or even a coconut curry sauce for an extra flavor boost.

Presentation Ideas

Serve kabobs on a bed of rice or alongside a colorful slaw. For a party, remove the items from skewers and arrange on a platter with fresh herbs as garnish.

Make Ahead and Storage

Prep Ahead

You can marinate the chicken up to 24 hours ahead and cut all vegetables and pineapple the day before. Store prepared ingredients separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator.

Storing Leftovers

Store cooled leftover kabobs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best results, remove the food from the skewers before storing.

Freezing

While you can freeze the marinated raw chicken (up to 3 months), I don’t recommend freezing the assembled or cooked kabobs as the vegetables and pineapple will lose their texture.

Reheating

Gently reheat leftover kabobs in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes, or microwave on 70% power until just warmed through to avoid drying out the chicken.

FAQs

Can I make these kabobs in the oven instead of on a grill?
Absolutely! Arrange the skewers on a baking sheet lined with foil and bake at 425°F for about 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through cooking time, until the chicken reaches 165°F internally. You won’t get the same char marks, but they’ll still be delicious.

How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?
The safest way is to use a meat thermometer – chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, cut into the thickest piece of chicken – it should be opaque all the way through with no pink remaining.

Can I use canned pineapple instead of fresh?
While fresh pineapple is ideal because it caramelizes beautifully on the grill, you can use canned pineapple chunks in a pinch. Just make sure to drain them thoroughly and pat them dry before skewering to prevent excessive moisture and flare-ups on the grill.

How long should I really marinate the chicken?
For the best flavor, marinate for at least 1 hour, but no more than 24 hours. Marinating too long (especially with acidic ingredients) can actually make the chicken texture mushy. If your marinade contains citrus juice, limit marinating time to 6 hours maximum.

These Chicken and Pineapple Kabobs bring a taste of the tropics to your dinner table with minimal effort. The combination of juicy grilled chicken, sweet caramelized pineapple, and colorful bell peppers creates a meal that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight family dinner or entertaining friends on the weekend, these kabobs are sure to impress. The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity – quality ingredients allowed to shine with a perfectly balanced marinade. Fire up the grill and transport your taste buds to a tropical paradise tonight!

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