Grilled Pineapple Chicken Skewers (Printable View)

Tender chicken and caramelized pineapple combine for a flavorful and vibrant grilled dish.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ Poultry & Produce

01 - 1.5 pounds 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 chopped fresh cilantro
14 - Lime wedges for serving

# Directions:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together soy sauce, pineapple juice, honey, olive oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, smoked paprika, and black pepper until well combined.
02 - Add chicken cubes to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Cover with plastic wrap 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 combustion during grilling.
04 - Preheat grill to medium-high heat, achieving approximately 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
05 - Thread marinated chicken, pineapple chunks, bell pepper pieces, and onion alternately onto prepared skewers, dividing ingredients evenly among 4 skewers.
06 - Place skewers on grill and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, rotating every 3 to 4 minutes until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit and develops light char on edges.
07 - Transfer skewers from grill and allow 2 minutes rest time. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The pineapple juice in the marinade keeps the chicken impossibly tender while the grill caramelizes it into something almost dessert-like.
  • You can prep everything in the morning and just grill when people arrive, which means you're actually relaxed and present instead of stressed in the kitchen.
  • These skewers handle being made gluten-free and dairy-free without tasting like you made any sacrifices.
02 -
  • Save 2 tablespoons of marinade in a separate cup before you add the raw chicken, then brush it onto the skewers as they grill for an extra layer of flavor that makes people ask for the recipe immediately.
  • Chicken continues cooking slightly after you pull it off the heat, so pull it when the thickest piece is just barely cooked through—it'll be juicy instead of rubbery by the time you eat it.
03 -
  • If the grill flares up from dripping marinade, move the skewers to a cooler spot for a moment instead of leaving them over high heat—you want caramelization, not charred chicken underneath golden fruit.
  • Thread the vegetables snugly enough that they support the chicken and don't wobble around, but not so tight that you're splitting the peppers or denting the pineapple as you slide them on.
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