Pineapple Chicken Kabobs (Print Version)
Marinated chicken and pineapple skewered with bell pepper and onion, grilled until caramelized and lightly charred.
# What You Need:
→ Protein & Marinade
01 - 1.1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 2 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
03 - 2 tbsp honey
04 - 1 tbsp olive oil
05 - 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
06 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
→ Fruit & Vegetables
08 - 1 medium pineapple, peeled, cored, cut into 1-inch cubes
09 - 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
10 - 1 red onion, peeled and cut into wedges
→ For Grilling & Garnish
11 - Wooden or metal skewers
12 - Fresh cilantro or parsley (optional garnish)
# Directions:
01 - In a large bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, olive oil, lime juice, minced garlic, and black pepper until well combined.
02 - Add the chicken cubes to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor penetration.
03 - If using wooden skewers, submerge them in water for 30 minutes prior to grilling to prevent burning.
04 - Thread marinated chicken, pineapple chunks, bell pepper pieces, and onion wedges alternately onto the skewers, distributing ingredients evenly.
05 - Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, ensuring the grates are clean and lightly oiled.
06 - Place the kabobs on the grill and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, turning occasionally with tongs, until the chicken is cooked through with light charring and the pineapple is caramelized.
07 - Remove the kabobs from the grill and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro or parsley if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The sweet and savory marinade does double duty, flavoring the chicken and creating a sticky glaze as it grills.
- Pineapple chunks caramelize into candy like bites that contrast beautifully with smoky charred chicken.
- Everything cooks on one set of skewers, which means almost zero cleanup after dinner.
02 -
- Do not skip the marinade time, because 30 minutes is the absolute minimum for the chicken to absorb enough flavor to taste seasoned all the way through.
- Cut everything the same size or you will end up with raw pineapple chunks alongside overcooked chicken, which is a texture nobody wants.
03 -
- Pat the chicken completely dry with paper towels before adding it to the marinade so the sauce clings instead of sliding off.
- Leave a little space between pieces on the skewer so the heat can reach all sides and you get char rather than steam.