Grilled Pineapple Chicken Skewers (Print Version)

Tender marinated chicken cubes grilled with pineapple and bell pepper for a flavorful summer dish.

# 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 - 1/3 cup soy sauce, gluten-free variety
06 - 1/4 cup pineapple juice
07 - 2 tablespoons honey
08 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
11 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

→ Garnish

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

# Cooking Steps:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, pineapple juice, honey, olive oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, smoked paprika, and black pepper until well combined.
02 - Add chicken cubes to the marinade and toss thoroughly to coat all pieces evenly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours for enhanced flavor development.
03 - If using wooden skewers, submerge them in water and allow them to soak for 30 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
04 - Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, maintaining a temperature of approximately 400°F.
05 - Alternately thread marinated chicken pieces, pineapple chunks, bell pepper pieces, and onion pieces onto prepared skewers, distributing ingredients evenly.
06 - Place skewers on the grill and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, rotating every 3 to 4 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and exhibits light charring at the edges.
07 - Remove skewers from the grill and allow them to rest for 2 minutes. Top with fresh cilantro and serve alongside lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The marinade creates this gorgeous sticky glaze that caramelizes on the grill while keeping the chicken impossibly juicy.
  • You can prep everything in advance and throw it on the fire whenever guests arrive, leaving you actually free to enjoy the party.
  • It's naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, which means you're never stressed about who can eat what.
02 -
  • Reserve 2 tablespoons of marinade before adding chicken, then brush it over the skewers while they grill—this is the secret to that restaurant-quality glaze that makes people lose their minds.
  • Uneven chicken pieces cook at different rates, so cut everything to the same 1½-inch size or you'll end up with some pieces dry and others pink in the middle.
03 -
  • Brush that reserved marinade onto the skewers during the last two minutes of grilling for a glaze that looks professionally caramelized and tastes like summer.
  • Cut your pineapple the day before and store it in the fridge—it stays firmer and caramelizes better than room-temperature fruit.
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