Sweet, smoky, juicy, and packed with colorful veggies- these chicken pineapple kabobs are a fun way to switch up your usual chicken dinner. The chicken is coated in a flavorful blend of BBQ sauce, sweet chili sauce, and seasonings, then grilled alongside fresh pineapple, peppers, and onion.
They’re perfect for summer grilling, backyard dinners, or anytime you want a meal that feels a little more fun than the usual chicken and vegetables.
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 fresh pineapple
- 3 large bell peppers
- 1 large onion
- ⅓ cup sweet chili sauce
- ⅓ cup BBQ sauce
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- ½ tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
Directions
Step 1: Prep the Ingredients
First, peel and cut the pineapple into bite sized chunks, roughly the same size as your pieces of chicken. Then, cut the bell peppers and onion into similar sized pieces as well. Keeping everything close to the same size helps the ingredients cook more evenly once they’re on the skewers. If you’re using wooden skewers, place them in a dish of water and let them soak for at least 30 minutes. This helps keep them from burning while the kabobs are on the grill.
Step 2: Season and Marinate the Chicken
Next, pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. Place them on a cutting board and cut them into roughly 1½-inch cubes. Transfer the chicken to a large bowl, then add the lemon pepper seasoning, garlic granules, onion granules, salt, and black pepper. Toss everything together until the chicken is evenly coated.
Meanwhile, grab a separate bowl and stir together the olive oil, BBQ sauce, and sweet chili sauce. Pour half of the marinade over the seasoned chicken and toss well, making sure every piece gets coated. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or you can let it marinate for up to 12 hours if you want to prep it ahead of time. While the chicken marinates, set the remaining marinade aside.
Step 3: Build the Kabobs
Thread the chicken, pineapple, bell peppers, and onion onto the skewers, alternating the ingredients however you like. Don’t worry about making them look perfect. Just try to leave a little space between each piece so the heat can move around the food as it cooks. Once all of your kabobs are assembled, brush them with some of the reserved marinade.
Step 4: Grill the Kabobs
Now that everything is ready, heat a stovetop grill or outdoor grill over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot, lightly grease the grill to help prevent the kabobs from sticking. Place the skewers on the grill, making sure they’re not touching each other. Cook for about 10-15 minutes, turning them occasionally so the chicken cooks evenly and develops those delicious golden, grilled edges. As the kabobs cook, brush them with the remaining reserved marinade a few times. The chicken is done when it’s no longer pink in the center and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Finally, remove the kabobs from the grill and serve them while they’re hot.
These chicken pineapple kabobs are delicious with just about anything you like. Try serving them with rice, a fresh salad, grilled vegetables, or even some extra pineapple on the side. And for the finishing touch, keep some extra sweet chili sauce or BBQ sauce nearby for dipping. It’s hard to resist!
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