Chicken and Pineapple BBQ Skewers (Printable version)

Juicy chicken and sweet pineapple glazed with smoky BBQ sauce, grilled to tender perfection on skewers for a vibrant summery dish.

# Ingredient List:

→ Protein & Produce

01 - 1.1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1 inch cubes
02 - 1 fresh pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into 1 inch chunks
03 - 1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces
04 - 1 red onion, cut into 1 inch chunks

→ Marinade & Sauce

05 - ⅓ cup plus 1 tbsp BBQ sauce, plus extra for brushing
06 - 2 tbsp olive oil
07 - 1 tbsp honey
08 - 1 tbsp soy sauce
09 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
10 - ½ tsp garlic powder
11 - ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
12 - ½ tsp salt

# How to Make It:

01 - Whisk together BBQ sauce, olive oil, honey, soy sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt in a large bowl until fully combined.
02 - Add chicken cubes to the marinade, toss thoroughly to coat, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours for deeper flavor penetration.
03 - Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 20 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
04 - Thread marinated chicken, pineapple chunks, bell pepper, and red onion pieces alternately onto prepared skewers, leaving slight space between pieces for even cooking.
05 - Heat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
06 - Place skewers on the grill and cook for 12-15 minutes, turning every 3-4 minutes. Brush with additional BBQ sauce during the final 5 minutes of cooking.
07 - Grill until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F and vegetables and pineapple show slight charring. Remove from heat and let rest for 2 minutes before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The sweet and smoky combo hits every craving at once
  • Perfect for feeding a crowd without spending hours in the kitchen
  • Leftovers make an incredible lunch over rice the next day
02 -
  • Soaking wooden skewers is nonnegotiable unless you want them catching fire on the grill
  • Don't skip the resting time, even 2 minutes makes a noticeable difference in juiciness
  • The pineapple will cook faster than the chicken, so place pieces where they get slightly less heat
03 -
  • Cut your ingredients slightly larger than you think necessary, they shrink on the grill
  • Double the marinade and use half for brushing during the last few minutes
  • Leave the small ends of the skewers empty for easy turning without burning your fingers

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