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Pineapple Chicken Kabobs

These tropical-inspired skewers feature juicy chicken, caramelized pineapple, and colorful veggies glazed with a sweet-savory marinade. Perfect for summer grilling!
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Prep Time:25 minutes
Cook Time:10 minutes
Marinating Time:1 hour
Total Time:1 hour 35 minutes
Course: Appetizer/Main
Cuisine: Hawaiian / American
Keyword: Hawaiian Chicken Skewers, Pineapple Chicken Kabobs, Summer BBQ
Servings: 6 Servings

Ingredients

For the Kabobs:

  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast (1.5-inch cubes)
  • 3 cups fresh pineapple chunks
  • 2 bell peppers red/yellow, 1.5-inch pieces
  • 1 large red onion 1.5-inch pieces
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper

For the Marinade & Glaze:

  • ⅓ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
  • ⅓ cup pineapple juice 100%
  • ⅓ cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp olive oil + 2 tsp sesame oil
  • 2 tsp minced garlic
  • 2 tsp fresh ginger grated
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water slurry

Instructions

Marinate Chicken:

  • Whisk marinade ingredients (except cornstarch). Reserve ⅔ cup for glaze.
  • Combine remaining marinade with chicken in a ziplock bag. Refrigerate 1–3 hours.

Prep Skewers:

  • Soak wooden skewers 30+ minutes.
  • Toss pineapple, peppers, and onion with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  • Thread chicken and veggies onto skewers alternately.

Make Glaze:

  • Simmer reserved marinade + cornstarch slurry until thickened.

Grill:

  • Grill skewers on medium heat 5–6 minutes per side.
  • Baste with glaze during last 2 minutes.
  • Cook until chicken reaches 165°F internally.

Notes

  • Fresh pineapple works best (canned gets mushy).
  • Don’t over-marinate (max 3 hours).
  • Soak wooden skewers to prevent burning.
  • Serve with: Coconut rice or Almond Rice Pilaf.

Nutrition (per serving)

  • Calories: 290
  • Protein: 28g
  • Carbs: 22g
  • Fat: 10g