Chicken and Pineapple BBQ Skewers (Printable)

Tender chicken and sweet pineapple chunks grilled on skewers with a smoky BBQ marinade and colorful vegetables.

# What you'll 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 option
09 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
10 - ½ tsp garlic powder
11 - ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
12 - ½ tsp salt

# Directions:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce, olive oil, honey, soy sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt until well combined.
02 - Add the chicken cubes to the marinade, toss thoroughly to coat all pieces. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours for deeper flavor penetration.
03 - If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 20 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
04 - Thread marinated chicken, pineapple chunks, bell pepper pieces, and red onion alternately onto skewers, distributing ingredients evenly.
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 for even cooking. Brush with additional BBQ sauce during the final 5 minutes of grilling.
07 - Continue grilling until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and vegetables and pineapple show slight charring.
08 - Remove skewers from grill and let rest for 2 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The marinade does double duty tenderizing the chicken while infusing it with that perfect balance of sweet and smoky flavors
  • Everything cooks on one skewer making prep and cleanup ridiculously simple for weeknight dinners
  • The pineapple chunks become natural little caramelized gems that surprise everyone who takes that first bite
02 -
  • Soaking wooden skewers is non negotiable unless you want them turning to ash and leaving splinters in your food
  • Leaving space between ingredients on the skewers lets heat circulate better for more even cooking
  • The internal temperature matters more than time so invest in a good meat thermometer for perfectly cooked chicken every time
03 -
  • Cutting everything to the same size is the secret to skewers that cook evenly and look professional
  • Make double the marinade and use half for brushing during the last few minutes of grilling for extra sticky glazed goodness

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