These BBQ Chicken Pineapple Kabobs are perfect for grilling season, combining juicy chicken, sweet caramelized pineapple, and colorful bell peppers in a delicious BBQ glaze. Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue or looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, this easy recipe has got you covered.
It’s not summer without a kabob. These Hawaiian chicken kabobs have become my go-to as they are the perfect summer meal for a busy weeknight or family gatherings!
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how the tropical flavors work together. Every bite is a perfect balance of flavors that always hits the spot. These chicken skewers also pair well with my Crispy Smashed Potatoes, Classic Potato Salad, Turkish Potato Salad, or Easy Coleslaw.
If you are looking for more summer cook out recipes, check out my Traeger Grilled Salmon, Smoked Chicken, or Smoked Hot Dogs.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Sweet and Savory: The combination of BBQ chicken and fresh pineapple creates a delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors.
- Quick and Easy: Simple to prepare and cook, making it perfect for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings.
- Healthy: Loaded with lean protein and fresh vegetables, these kabobs are a nutritious meal option.
Ingredients
- Chicken Breast: Use organic pasture-raised chicken. You'll need to cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes.
- Pineapple: You will want to use a fresh, ripe pineapple. Canned pineapples just don’t taste the same!
- BBQ Sauce: In this recipe, I use Primal Kitchen’s Mango Jalapeño BBQ Sauce, as it has a bit of a kick that pairs well with the sweet pineapple, however, any BBQ Sauce you enjoy will work. I do recommend Primal Kitchen’s Sauces because they are gluten-free, Non-GMO, Whole30 compliant, and do not contain any cane sugar or high fructose corn syrup, and their BBQ Sauces taste fantastic! You can also use your favorite BBQ sauce.
- Bell Pepper: Typically, I recommend red bell pepper because they are higher in Vitamin C, and a little bit sweeter than a green pepper. That being said, you can use whatever you have on hand.
- Sea Salt & Pepper
- Avocado Oil: Avocado oil is best for grilling as it has a higher smoke point. Olive oil can work however its smoke point is closer to 350 degrees f to about 420 degrees f.
Please see the recipe card for quantities.
Step-by-step instructions
Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
- Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes. Place the chicken pieces in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper.
- Add ¼ cup BBQ Sauce to the chicken and use your hands to combine. Allow the chicken to marinate for up to 30 minutes. Place two additional tablespoons of BBQ sauce in a separate bowl. You will use this fresh BBQ sauce to baste the chicken while it's on the grill.
- Cut the pineapple and bell peppers into 1-inch pieces, then drizzle with a little bit of avocado oil. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and set aside.
- Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
- Thread the skewers by layering 1 piece of chicken, 1 slice of pineapple, then 1 slice of pepper, and repeating until all the chicken is skewered.
- Brush the preheated grill with a little bit of avocado oil, then grill the chicken kebabs for 5-7 minutes per side, or until the chicken has cooked through (You can also start them on the grill and finish them in the oven if needed). While the chicken is cooking, continue to baste the chicken with the additional BBQ Sauce.
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Hint: If you don't have metal skewers and are using wooden skewers, be sure to soak them for 10 or so minutes before grilling to prevent them from catching fire on the grill.
Substitutions and variations
- Chicken: Substitute chicken breasts with boneless skinless chicken thighs for a juicier option.
- Vegetables: Add other vegetables like zucchini, red onion, or mushrooms.
- BBQ Sauce: Use a homemade BBQ sauce or different flavor varieties like spicy, smoky, or honey BBQ.
- Marinade: Mix up your marinade ingredients. Create you own savory marinade by combining BBQ sauce with a splash of pineapple juice, lime juice, soy sauce, fresh ginger, or garlic for extra flavor.
- Flavor Combos: You can also skip the pineapple and replace it with eggplant, zucchini, green bell pepper, and onions to make Greek chicken kabobs. You can serve these with cherry tomatoes and feta cheese.
Serving suggestions
- Side Dishes: Serve with a side of rice, potato salad, or a fresh garden salad.
- Dips: Pair with a side of ranch dressing, lemon dill sauce, or extra BBQ sauce for dipping.
Storage and reheating
Store leftover pineapple BBQ chicken kabobs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat you can place the chicken pineapple kabobs on a baking sheet and heat them in a 275 degree oven for 5-10 minutes. You can also place them on the grill over low heat until warmed through.
For best results, remove the ingredients from the skewers before storing and reheating.
Top tip
For perfectly cooked kabobs, make sure all your ingredients are cut to roughly the same size. This ensures even cooking and makes it easier to eat. Also, leave a small space between each item on the skewer to allow heat to circulate and cook everything thoroughly.
FAQ
Yes! You can assemble the kabobs up to 24 hours in advance. Keep them covered in the refrigerator until ready to grill.
Absolutely! Preheat your oven to 400 degrees f and bake the kabobs on a baking sheet for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through.
You can substitute chicken with shrimp or flank steak. Adjust the cooking time accordingly, as different meats will have different cooking requirements.
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BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs
Ingredients
- 1 lb Chicken Breast
- ½-3/4 cup Pineapple
- ¼ cup +2 tbsp BBQ Sacue Primal Kitchen Mango Jalapeño
- ½ Bell Pepper green
- 1-2 pinches Salt & Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Avocado Oil for veggies and to brush on the grill
Instructions
- Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes. Place the chicken pieces in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper.
- Add ¼ cup BBQ Sauce to the chicken and use your hands to combine. Allow the chicken to marinate for up to 30 minutes. Place two additional tablespoons of BBQ sauce in a separate bowl. You will use this fresh BBQ sauce to baste the chicken while it's on the grill.
- Cut the pineapple and bell peppers into 1-inch pieces, then drizzle with a little bit of avocado oil. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and set aside.
- Preheat your grill or grill pan to 400 degrees f.
- Thread the skewers by layering 1 piece of chicken, 1 slice of pineapple, then 1 slice of pepper, and repeating until all the chicken is skewered.
- Brush the preheated grill with a little bit of avocado oil, then grill the chicken kebabs for 5-7 minutes per side, or until the chicken has cooked through (You can also start them on the grill and finish them in the oven if needed). While the chicken is cooking, continue to baste the chicken with the additional BBQ Sauce.
Notes
- Chicken: Substitute chicken breasts with boneless skinless chicken thighs for a juicier option.
- Vegetables: Add other vegetables like zucchini, red onion, or mushrooms.
- BBQ Sauce: Use a homemade BBQ sauce or different flavor varieties like spicy, smoky, or honey BBQ.
- Marinade: Mix up your marinade ingredients. Create you own savory marinade by combining BBQ sauce with a splash of pineapple juice, lime juice, soy sauce, fresh ginger or garlic for extra flavor.
- Flavor Combos: You can also skip the pineapple and replace it with eggplant, zucchini, green bell pepper, and onions to make Greek chicken kabobs. You can serve these with cherry tomatoes and feta cheese.
- Side Dishes: Serve with a side of rice, potato salad, or a fresh garden salad.
- Dips: Pair with a side of ranch dressing, lemon dill sauce, or extra BBQ sauce for dipping.
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