Chicken Pineapple Kabobs make an impressive and flavorful main course for weeknight dinners or gatherings. Tender, marinated chicken is threaded with sweet, grilled pineapple and colorful vegetables. Serve over rice or enjoy directly from the skewer.
Why You’ll Love These Chicken Pineapple Kabobs
These Chicken Pineapple Kabobs are simple to prepare, versatile, and visually striking—perfect for everyday meals and for entertaining. The combination of sweet pineapple, savory marinade, and charred vegetables delivers an irresistible balance of flavors.
- Easy Prep: Assemble the skewers ahead of time and pop them on the grill just before serving.
- Flexible Ingredients: Swap proteins and vegetables to use what you have on hand or to suit your taste.
- Great for Entertaining: Kabobs look attractive on a platter and are easy to serve to a crowd.
Recipe Ingredients
See the recipe card below for exact amounts and details.
- Chicken breast: Boneless, skinless works best; thighs are a fine alternative if you prefer darker meat.
- Red onion: Adds color and a mild sweetness; yellow onion can be used instead.
- Green bell pepper: Any bell pepper color will work; green offers a slightly sharper flavor that pairs nicely with the pineapple.
- Fresh pineapple: Firmer than canned, fresh pineapple grills well and holds its shape on skewers.
- Hawaiian or sweet BBQ sauce: Use a store-bought Hawaiian barbecue sauce or any sweet barbecue sauce you like. A Huli Huli-style sauce is another great option.
- Asian-style marinade: A savory-sweet Asian marinade flavors the chicken beautifully; store-bought or homemade both work.
Variations
You can easily adapt these kabobs by changing the protein, vegetables, or fruit to suit your preferences.
- Pork or beef: Substitute pork or beef for chicken, and follow recommended internal temperatures (pork: 145°F; beef: cook to your preferred doneness).
- Other vegetables: Mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, eggplant, or zucchini all grill well on skewers.
- Other fruit: Stone fruits like peaches or plums add sweetness and caramelize nicely; firmer melon varieties can also work if not overly ripe.
Ways To Cook Kabobs
Grilling is the classic method for kabobs and works well on gas or charcoal grills. If you don’t have an outdoor grill, use a grill pan over medium-high heat.
Oven method: Arrange kabobs on a foil-lined baking sheet and roast at 425°F for about 30 minutes, turning once. Brush with sauce and finish briefly under the broiler to set the glaze.
Tips For Success
Follow these simple tips for evenly cooked, attractive kabobs:
- Cut uniform pieces: Trim chicken and vegetables into pieces of similar size so everything cooks at the same rate.
- Consider cooking times: Group ingredients with similar cook times together. Pineapple, onion, pepper, and chicken all roast evenly in this recipe.
- Separate skewers if needed: If you include quick-cooking items such as cherry tomatoes or thin zucchini slices, thread them on separate skewers so you can remove them sooner.
Looking For More Grilling Recipes?
- Easy Grilled Salmon Recipe
- Grilled BBQ Pork Chops
- Grilled Teriyaki Chicken
- Grilled Chicken Nuggets
- Best BBQ Ribs Recipe
Step-by-step photos and detailed instructions follow the recipe card below.
Chicken Pineapple Kabobs
- Author: Dan
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 8 Servings
These kabobs feature juicy, marinated chicken paired with sweet grilled pineapple and roasted vegetables—ideal for weeknights or backyard gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 2″ cubes
- Asian-style chicken marinade (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 large red onion, cut into 2″ pieces
- 2 green peppers, cut into 2″ pieces
- 1 fresh pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into 2″ wedges
- 8 metal or soaked wooden skewers
- 3/4 cup Hawaiian-style or sweet barbecue sauce (or Huli Huli sauce)
Instructions
- Place the cubed chicken in a resealable bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, toss to coat, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight for best flavor.
- Preheat the grill to about 400°F and clean the grates. Brush the grates with oil to prevent sticking.
- Thread the skewers in a repeating pattern—start with a piece of pineapple, then a pepper, a piece of onion, and two pieces of chicken. Repeat the pattern so each skewer ends with pineapple.
- Place the skewers on the hot grill. Cook 3–4 minutes per side, turning carefully with tongs. After both sides are browned and the chicken is nearly cooked through, baste with barbecue or Huli Huli sauce and cook 1–2 minutes more to set the glaze. Ensure chicken is cooked through (no pink inside and juices run clear) or cook longer over lower heat until it reaches 165°F.
- Serve kabobs on or off the skewers with extra sauce on the side.
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grill
- Cuisine: American
How To Make Chicken Pineapple Kabobs – Step By Step Photos
- Marinate the chicken: Cut the chicken into evenly sized 2″ cubes, add the marinade, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight to build flavor.
- Prep and grill: Cut peppers, onion, and pineapple into 2″ pieces. Thread the ingredients onto skewers, keeping chicken pieces between vegetables. Grill over medium-high heat, turning once, until the chicken is cooked through. Brush with sauce at the end and serve.