Chicken and Pineapple BBQ Skewers (Printable Version)
Tender chicken and sweet pineapple grilled on skewers with smoky BBQ marinade for a perfect summer meal.
# What You Need:
→ Meat & Protein
01 - 1.1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch cubes
→ Fruit & Vegetables
02 - 1 medium fresh pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into 1 inch chunks
03 - 1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces
04 - 1 large red onion, cut into 1 inch pieces
→ Marinade & Sauce
05 - 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)
06 - 2 tbsp olive oil
07 - 1 tbsp soy sauce (use gluten-free if needed)
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
10 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
11 - 1/2 tsp salt
→ Garnish
12 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
13 - Lime wedges, to serve
# Directions:
01 - In a large bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce, olive oil, soy sauce, garlic, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt until well combined.
02 - Add chicken cubes to the marinade, toss to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours for maximum flavor absorption.
03 - Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 20 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
04 - Preheat grill to medium-high heat (400°F) or prepare a grill pan over medium-high heat.
05 - Thread marinated chicken, pineapple chunks, bell pepper, and onion alternately onto skewers, beginning and ending with chicken or pineapple for secure placement.
06 - Grill skewers for 12 to 15 minutes, turning occasionally. Baste with extra BBQ sauce halfway through cooking. Continue until chicken is cooked through and lightly charred.
07 - Remove from grill and transfer to serving platter. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro or parsley and serve with lime wedges on the side.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The caramelized pineapple creates natural sweetness that means you can use less sugar in your marinade
- Everything cooks on one stick making both prep and cleanup incredibly simple
02 -
- Soaking wooden skewers is absolutely necessary or they will burn and your food will fall apart
- Leave a tiny bit of space between each piece on the skewer so the heat can circulate properly
03 -
- Double the marinade and use half for brushing while grilling to avoid contamination
- Metal skewers cook faster than wood so adjust your timing accordingly