Chicken and Pineapple BBQ Skewers (Printable)
Juicy chicken and sweet pineapple chunks marinated in smoky BBQ sauce, grilled to perfection on skewers.
# 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 - ½ 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 - ½ tsp black pepper
11 - ½ tsp salt
→ Garnish (optional)
12 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
13 - Lime wedges, to serve
# How-To:
01 - Whisk together BBQ sauce, olive oil, soy sauce, garlic, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt in a large bowl until fully combined.
02 - Add chicken cubes to the marinade, toss thoroughly to coat, 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, ending with a piece of chicken or pineapple for even cooking.
06 - Grill skewers for 12 to 15 minutes, turning occasionally and basting with extra BBQ sauce halfway through, until chicken is cooked through and lightly charred.
07 - Remove from grill, garnish with chopped cilantro or parsley, and serve immediately with lime wedges.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The pineapple caramelizes into something that tastes like candy but savory somehow
- Everything cooks on one stick so cleanup is practically nonexistent
02 -
- Chicken and pineapple cook at different speeds so cut everything the same size
- Leave a tiny bit of space between pieces on the skewer so heat circulates
03 -
- Double the marinade and use half for brushing during grilling
- Metal skewers cook faster than wooden so adjust your timing