Grilled Pineapple Chicken Skewers (Printer-friendly)

Tender chicken and caramelized pineapple combine on skewers for a vibrant summer grilling option.

# What You'll Need:

→ Poultry & Produce

01 - 1.5 lbs 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 mixing 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 the bowl 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 charring during grilling. Metal skewers do not require soaking.
04 - Heat grill to medium-high temperature, approximately 400°F, allowing adequate time for the cooking surface to reach uniform heat.
05 - Thread marinated chicken, pineapple chunks, bell pepper pieces, and onion alternately onto prepared skewers, ensuring even distribution and spacing.
06 - Place skewers on grill grate and cook for 12 to 15 minutes total, rotating every 3 to 4 minutes to ensure even cooking and slight charring at edges. Chicken should reach internal temperature of 165°F.
07 - Remove skewers from grill and allow to rest for 2 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The marinade does all the heavy lifting while you're doing something else, making this feel effortless even though it tastes impressive.
  • Grilled pineapple caramelizes in a way that's almost dessert-like, creating this perfect sweet-savory balance that keeps people coming back for seconds.
  • It's naturally gluten-free and dairy-free without tasting like it's missing anything, so everyone at the table can actually enjoy the same meal.
02 -
  • Don't skip the marinating time—I once tried to grill these after just 10 minutes and could taste the difference immediately; the chicken needs that time to actually absorb the flavors.
  • If you want extra sauce, reserve 2 tablespoons of the marinade before adding raw chicken, then brush it onto the skewers during the last few minutes of grilling for a caramelized glaze that elevates everything.
03 -
  • Use a grill thermometer to actually check that your grill hits 400°F before you start—eyeballing it will leave you with inconsistent results.
  • Cut your chicken and vegetables the morning of and keep them in separate containers so assembly takes just a couple of minutes when you're ready to cook.
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