Description
These Grilled Chicken and Pineapple Kabobs offer a vibrant combination of sweet and savory flavors with tender marinated chicken, juicy pineapple, and crisp bell peppers and onions. Perfectly grilled to achieve a smoky char and juicy interior, this recipe is ideal for a summer barbecue or a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade Ingredients
- ⅔ cup barbecue sauce
- ⅔ cup teriyaki sauce
- 2 tablespoons grated ginger
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium lime, zested and juiced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (to taste)
Main Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
- 2 cups pineapple, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 medium orange bell pepper, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 medium red onion, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl or ziplock bag, combine the barbecue sauce, teriyaki sauce, grated ginger, minced garlic, lime zest and juice, and kosher salt. Mix thoroughly to blend all ingredients well. Reserve 1/2 cup of this marinade for basting during grilling.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the remaining marinade in the bowl or ziplock bag. Toss the chicken to ensure every piece is evenly coated. Let the chicken marinate for at least 1 hour, or ideally overnight, to absorb the flavors deeply. Remove the chicken from the marinade before assembling.
- Assemble Kabobs: Alternate threading pieces of chicken, pineapple, orange bell pepper, and red onion onto skewers. Once all skewers are assembled, brush them with avocado oil to prevent sticking and promote crisping on the grill.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to 500°F (260°C) to ensure a high heat for perfect grilling and caramelization of the kabobs.
- Grill the Kabobs: Place the assembled skewers on the hot grill. Cook for 2 minutes, then brush with the reserved marinade and flip. Cook for another 2 minutes, flip again and baste with marinade, then flip the last time and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Serve: Remove kabobs from the grill and serve immediately. Pair with your favorite side dishes such as rice, salad, or grilled vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- Use metal skewers or pre-soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.
- Marinating overnight intensifies the flavors and makes the chicken more tender.
- Adjust salt quantity based on the sodium content of your barbecue and teriyaki sauces.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- Feel free to substitute chicken thighs with chicken breast if preferred, though thighs are juicier and less likely to dry out.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: grilled chicken kabobs, pineapple kabobs, barbecue chicken, teriyaki chicken skewers, summer grilling recipes
