Grilled Pineapple Chicken Skewers (Printable)

Tender grilled chicken combined with sweet pineapple and smoky spices, perfect for summer gatherings.

# 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 - 0.33 cup soy sauce (use gluten-free if needed)
06 - 0.25 cup pineapple juice
07 - 2 tbsp honey
08 - 2 tbsp olive oil
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1 tsp freshly grated ginger
11 - 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 0.5 tsp black pepper

→ Garnish

13 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
14 - Lime wedges for serving

# How To Make:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together soy sauce, pineapple juice, honey, olive oil, garlic, ginger, smoked paprika, and black pepper until well combined.
02 - Add chicken cubes to the marinade and toss thoroughly to coat all pieces. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours for enhanced flavor.
03 - If using wooden skewers, submerge them in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
04 - Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, targeting approximately 400°F.
05 - Thread marinated chicken, pineapple chunks, bell pepper, and onion alternately onto skewers, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
06 - Place skewers on the grill and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, rotating every 3 to 4 minutes until chicken reaches full doneness with slight charring at the edges.
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—chicken emerges juicy and full of flavor without any fussy technique required.
  • Pineapple caramelizes beautifully on the grill, creating these little pockets of sweet char that balance the savory perfectly.
  • Everything cooks in about 15 minutes, so you're not standing over the grill stressed while your guests get restless.
02 -
  • Reserve a small bowl of fresh marinade before adding the chicken—brush it over the skewers during grilling for an extra glaze that adds complexity and keeps everything moist.
  • If your pineapple pieces keep sliding around on the skewer, freeze them for 10 minutes before threading—they'll hold their shape better and grill more evenly.
03 -
  • The secret to juicy chicken on the grill is not overthinking it—a good marinade and medium-high heat with regular turning handles everything else.
  • Buy pre-cut pineapple if you need to save time, but fresh whole pineapple really does taste noticeably better once it's grilled.
Go Back