Grilled Chicken Kabobs with Pineapple (Print View)
Juicy grilled chicken skewers with pineapple and zucchini, charred for bright, smoky summer flavor—perfect for barbecues.
# What You Need:
→ Marinade and Chicken
01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 tbsp soy sauce (gluten-free if needed)
04 - 1 tbsp honey
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
08 - 1/2 tsp salt
→ Skewer Vegetables and Fruit
09 - 1 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
10 - 1 1/2 cups fresh pineapple, cut into 1-inch chunks
11 - 1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
12 - Fresh parsley or cilantro, for garnish
# How-To Steps:
01 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt until well combined. Add the chicken cubes and toss to coat evenly. Marinate for at least 15 minutes at room temperature, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours for deeper flavor penetration.
02 - Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, approximately 400°F. If using bamboo skewers, submerge them in water for at least 20 minutes beforehand to prevent burning during cooking.
03 - Thread the marinated chicken cubes, zucchini rounds, pineapple chunks, and bell pepper pieces onto the skewers in an alternating pattern, distributing the ingredients evenly across each skewer.
04 - Place the assembled skewers on the preheated grill. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, turning every 3 to 4 minutes with tongs, until the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F and lightly charred on all sides.
05 - Remove the kabobs from the grill and let them rest for 2 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro and serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The pineapple caramelizes on the grill and creates this sticky sweet crust that pairs perfectly with the smoky chicken.
- Everything cooks on one surface so cleanup is almost nothing, which means more time outside and less at the sink.
02 -
- Do not skip the skewer soaking step unless you enjoy the smell of burning wood mixed with dinner.
- Cutting everything to uniform sizes is the single thing that determines whether each bite cooks evenly or you end up with raw chicken and burnt pineapple on the same stick.
03 -
- If you want deeper flavor, marinate the chicken the night before and let the soy sauce and garlic really penetrate every fiber.
- The pineapple chunks grill better if they are slightly firm, not fully ripe, because they hold their shape and caramelize instead of turning to mush.