Chicken and Pineapple BBQ Skewers (Printable)

Juicy chicken and sweet pineapple grilled with smoky BBQ sauce, peppers, and onions on skewers for a perfect summer meal.

# What You'll 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
06 - 2 tbsp olive oil
07 - 1 tbsp soy sauce
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
10 - ½ tsp black pepper
11 - ½ tsp salt

→ Garnish

12 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
13 - Lime wedges, to serve

# How-to Steps:

01 - Whisk together BBQ sauce, olive oil, soy sauce, garlic, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt in a large bowl until thoroughly combined.
02 - Add chicken cubes to the marinade, toss to coat evenly, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or 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, approximately 400°F, or prepare a grill pan on the stovetop.
05 - Thread marinated chicken, pineapple chunks, bell pepper, and onion alternately onto the skewers, beginning and ending with chicken or pineapple pieces for secure stacking.
06 - Grill skewers for 12 to 15 minutes, turning every 3 to 4 minutes and basting with additional BBQ sauce halfway through, until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F and develops light charring.
07 - Remove skewers from grill, garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley, and serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.

# Expert Pointers:

01 -
  • The sweet and smoky combination hits every craving at once
  • They come together faster than you can set up the grill
  • Everyone feels fancy eating food off a stick
02 -
  • Soaking wooden skewers is non-negotiable unless you enjoy explaining why your skewers caught fire
  • Don't crowd the grill, give each skewer breathing room for proper charring
  • Let the skewers rest for just a couple minutes before serving so the juices redistribute
03 -
  • Double the marinade and use half as a dipping sauce on the side
  • Add zucchini chunks or cherry tomatoes between the meat and fruit

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