Chicken and Pineapple BBQ Skewers (Printable)

Tender chicken and pineapple threaded on skewers, marinated in tangy BBQ sauce and grilled to perfection with bell peppers and onions.

# What's Needed:

→ For the Marinade & Skewers

01 - 1.1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 9 oz fresh pineapple, cut into 1-inch chunks
03 - 1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
04 - 1 medium red onion, cut into wedges
05 - 2 tbsp olive oil
06 - 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)
07 - 1 tbsp soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free option)
08 - 1 tbsp honey
09 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
10 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
11 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ For Garnish (optional)

12 - 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
13 - Lime wedges

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, BBQ sauce, soy sauce, honey, garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until well 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 deeper flavor).
03 - Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning while grilling.
04 - Thread chicken, pineapple, bell pepper, and red onion alternately onto skewers, leaving a little space between each piece for even cooking.
05 - Preheat a 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 and basting with extra marinade, until the chicken is cooked through and has a nice char.
07 - Transfer to a platter, garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

# Tips for Success:

01 -
  • The marinade does double duty as a basting sauce, building layers of flavor as the skewers cook
  • Everything cooks on the same stick, meaning less cleanup and more time with guests
02 -
  • Do not skip soaking wooden skewers, or they will burn and fall apart on the grill
  • Let the skewers rest for 2 minutes after grilling so the juices redistribute
03 -
  • Thread all ingredients in the same order on each skewer for even cooking
  • Reserve some marinade before adding chicken for safe basting during grilling

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