Chicken and Pineapple BBQ Skewers (Printable)
Tender chicken and sweet pineapple grilled with colorful vegetables in a smoky BBQ marinade
# What You Need:
→ Protein & Produce
01 - 1.1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1 inch cubes
02 - 1 fresh pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into 1 inch chunks
03 - 1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces
04 - 1 red onion, cut into 1 inch chunks
→ Marinade & Sauce
05 - ⅓ cup plus 1 tbsp BBQ sauce (gluten-free if needed), plus extra for brushing
06 - 2 tbsp olive oil
07 - 1 tbsp honey
08 - 1 tbsp soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
09 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
10 - ½ tsp garlic powder
11 - ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
12 - ½ tsp salt
# How to Make It:
01 - Whisk together BBQ sauce, olive oil, honey, soy sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt in a large bowl until thoroughly combined.
02 - Add chicken cubes to the marinade, toss well to coat completely. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours for deeper flavor penetration.
03 - If using wooden skewers, soak in water for at least 20 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
04 - Thread marinated chicken, pineapple, bell pepper, and red onion alternately onto skewers, distributing ingredients evenly.
05 - Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
06 - Grill skewers for 12 to 15 minutes, turning every 3 to 4 minutes. Brush with extra BBQ sauce during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
07 - Grill until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F and vegetables and pineapple show slight charring. Remove from grill and let rest 2 minutes before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The marinade comes together in under five minutes but makes these taste like you planned them for days
- Everything cooks on skewers so cleanup is practically nonexistent and serving is effortless
02 -
- Do not skip the skewer soaking step if using wooden ones or they will burn and disintegrate on the grill
- Thread everything with the same sized pieces facing the same direction so they lie flat against the grill grates
03 -
- Reserve a small amount of the marinade before adding the raw chicken if you want to brush more on during grilling
- Cut your vegetables and pineapple slightly larger than the chicken since they shrink less during cooking