Grilled Pineapple Chicken Skewers (Print)

Tender chicken and caramelized pineapple come together in flavorful, easy-to-grill skewers.

# Ingredients:

→ 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 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 fresh cilantro, chopped
14 - Lime wedges for serving

# Directions:

01 - Whisk together soy sauce, pineapple juice, honey, olive oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, smoked paprika, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
02 - Add chicken cubes to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Cover 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 burning during grilling.
04 - Preheat grill to medium-high heat, approximately 400°F.
05 - Thread marinated chicken, pineapple chunks, bell pepper, and onion alternately onto prepared skewers, distributing ingredients evenly.
06 - Place skewers on grill and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, turning every 3 to 4 minutes, until chicken reaches complete doneness and develops light char marks on edges.
07 - Transfer skewers from grill and allow to rest for 2 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve accompanied by lime wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The chicken stays impossibly juicy because the pineapple juice in the marinade does the heavy lifting while you're doing something else.
  • Those caramelized edges on the fruit create this sweet-savory magic that tastes like you fussed for hours when you really didn't.
  • It's naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, so you're not cooking separate meals for different people at your table.
02 -
  • If you skip soaking wooden skewers, they will char on the ends and sometimes smolder in a way that tastes bitter in your food—learned this the hard way during a neighborhood cookout.
  • Reserving 2 tablespoons of raw marinade before adding chicken and brushing it onto the skewers while grilling transforms the finished dish from good to genuinely craveable, adding a gloss and depth that takes 30 seconds of effort.
03 -
  • If you have time, pat the marinated chicken dry before threading onto skewers—it helps the exterior brown more evenly and caramelize properly instead of steaming.
  • Keep a spray bottle of water nearby while grilling in case any honey drips cause flare-ups; it's a small move that prevents charred-tasting food and keeps you from stressing about fire.
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