Oh, when summer hits and the grill starts smoking, my mind just drifts to the islands! There’s nothing quite like the taste of sweet pineapple mingling with juicy, savory chicken, all kissed by that smoky grill flavor. I remember one time, years ago, at a backyard luau someone threw, these Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kebabs were the absolute star of the show. Everyone was raving about how easy they were but how packed with flavor! And honestly, that’s the magic of them – they’re ridiculously simple to whip up, bursting with that tropical punch, and just perfect for any outdoor gathering. Seriously, get ready to fall in love with these Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kebabs; they’re about to become your new summer go-to!
Why You’ll Love These Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kebabs
Seriously, these Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kebabs are a total winner for so many reasons! They’re ridiculously easy to whip up, making them perfect for even a weeknight dinner when you’re craving something special. The star of the show is that awesome flavor combo – sweet, juicy pineapple and tender chicken all marinated in this incredible savory sauce. Plus, they are just *made* for grilling, giving you those perfect smoky char marks and a fantastic flavor that just screams summer. Everyone, and I mean *everyone*, who tries these goes absolutely crazy for them!
Gather Your Ingredients for Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kebabs
Alright, let’s get our mise en place sorted so we can make these amazing Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kebabs! You’re going to want to gather everything up before you start assembling. You’ll need about 1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs and make sure to cut them into nice 1-inch pieces so they cook evenly. For that signature sweetness, grab about a pound of fresh pineapple and cube it up the same size as the chicken. Then, let’s get some color and crunch with a red bell pepper, a green bell pepper, and a red onion, all cut into 1-inch pieces. For that super tasty marinade, you’ll need 1/4 cup of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of honey, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of grated fresh ginger (or ground if that’s all you have!), and 1 clove of garlic all minced up. Oh, and a little pinch of black pepper to finish.
Essential Equipment for Making Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kebabs
Okay, so to get these Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kebabs going, you don’t need a ton of fancy gadgets. You’ll definitely need your trusty grill – whether it’s charcoal or gas, it’s gotta be ready to go! Grab a couple of mixing bowls, one for marinating the chicken and maybe another for prepping your veggies. Oh, and the most important thing? Skewers! If you’re using wooden ones, don’t forget to soak them in water for about 30 minutes beforehand so they don’t catch fire on the grill – trust me on this one!
Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kebabs
Alright, let’s get these Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kebabs on the grill and tasting amazing! It’s really not complicated, I promise. Just follow along and you’ll have a taste of the tropics in no time.
Marinating the Chicken for Flavorful Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kebabs
First things first, we gotta get that chicken soaking up all that delicious marinade. In a medium-sized bowl, just whisk together the soy sauce, honey, a little olive oil, that grated ginger, minced garlic, and that dash of black pepper. Don’t skip the ginger and garlic – they really wake up the flavor! Then, toss in your cubed chicken. Give it a good stir to make sure every piece is coated. Let it hang out in the marinade for at least 30 minutes. If you have more time, even an hour is great, but 30 minutes is usually enough to get some good flavor in there for these Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kebabs!
Assembling Your Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kebabs
Okay, now for the fun part – loading up those skewers! If you’re using wooden skewers, remember to pop them in some water for about half an hour before this step. This just stops them from burning to a crisp on the grill. It’s a little trick that makes a big difference! Now, start threading your chicken pieces, pineapple chunks, and those colorful bell peppers and red onion pieces onto the skewers. I like to alternate them so you get a bit of everything in each bite. Don’t pack everything on too tightly, though! Give them a little breathing room so the heat can get to everything evenly. Mine usually look like a beautiful rainbow!
Grilling Your Delicious Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kebabs
Time to fire up the grill! Get it nice and hot, thinking medium-high heat. Once it’s ready, carefully place your assembled Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kebabs onto the grates. You’ll want to let them grill for about 10 to 15 minutes. The key is to turn them every few minutes so all sides get nice and browned and those grill marks show up beautifully. You’re looking for the chicken to be cooked all the way through – no pink inside! – and the veggies to be tender-crisp. You can always toss them on a grill basket if you’re worried about smaller pieces falling through. These taste SO good alongside something like other grilled chicken dishes!
Tips for Success with Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kebabs
Okay, so you want your Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kebabs to be absolute showstoppers, right? It’s all about a few little tricks! First off, pick a pineapple that’s ripe and sweet – you want that natural tropical flavor to shine. Give it a little sniff; it should smell sweet! When you’re threading them onto the skewers, don’t cram too much on. Seriously, leave a little space between the chicken, pineapple, and veggies so everything gets a nice char and cooks evenly. Overcrowding is a classic mistake! If you’re using wooden skewers, soaking them is non-negotiable, just like I mentioned before, to avoid those burnt bits. Oh, and don’t be afraid of a little color on your grill! Those golden-brown bits on the chicken and slightly charred edges on the veggies are where all the flavor lives. It’s like getting inspiration from other great chicken skewer recipes!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kebabs
Sometimes you’re just cooking with what you have on hand, and that’s totally okay! For these Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kebabs, while I absolutely adore chicken thighs because they stay so juicy and forgiving on the grill, you can totally use chicken breast too. Just make sure you don’t overcook it, or it can get a little dry. Some folks love a creamy marinade, kind of like in this chicken ramen recipe, but for these kebabs, the soy-honey base is just perfect. As for the veggies, feel free to swap out the bell peppers for zucchini or cherry tomatoes if that’s what you have! Just keep those pineapple chunks – they are non-negotiable for that true Hawaiian vibe!)
Serving Suggestions for Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kebabs
These Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kebabs are sunshine on a plate, and they love to hang out with friends! If you’re looking to make it a whole meal, a scoop of fluffy coconut rice is just *perfect* – it soaks up any extra marinade beautifully. Or how about a light and refreshing pineapple cucumber salad? It adds this amazing crunch and coolness that’s just heavenly. Honestly, you can almost pair them with anything, even a simple side salad or some grilled corn on the cob works wonders. They’re also great with something a little heartier, like these Greek chicken bowls if you want to mix up the flavors a bit!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Leftover Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kebabs are honestly still pretty delicious, but you gotta store ’em right. Once they’re totally cooled down, just pop them into an airtight container. They’ll keep nicely in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. When you’re ready to reheat them, the microwave is super quick, but you might want to pop them on a hot skillet with a tiny bit of oil for better texture. Just make sure that chicken is heated all the way through so it’s safe to eat!
Frequently Asked Questions about Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kebabs
Got questions about making these yummy Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kebabs? I get it! It’s always good to know a few things before you dive in. So, let’s tackle a few common ones!
Can I make these indoors?
Oh, absolutely! If the grill isn’t an option, you can totally make these indoors. Just use a grill pan on your stovetop over medium-high heat. Make sure it’s nice and hot before you add the skewers. You won’t get quite the same smoky flavor, but they’ll still be delicious! Alternatively, you could bake them on a baking sheet at around 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Just keep an eye on them to make sure everything is cooked through!
What’s the best way to cut the pineapple?
For these Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kebabs, you want your pineapple chunks to be about the same size as your chicken pieces, so around 1-inch cubes. This ensures they all cook at roughly the same rate. When you’re cutting it, I find it easiest to slice off the top and bottom, then stand the pineapple upright. You can then carefully slice off the rind by following the curve of the fruit. After that, just quarter the pineapple lengthwise, chop out the tougher core, and then slice those quarters into bite-sized chunks. Easy peasy!
Are these gluten-free?
The great news is that these Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kebabs are pretty much gluten-free as written! The chicken, pineapple, veggies, olive oil, ginger, garlic, and black pepper are all naturally gluten-free. The only thing to watch out for is the soy sauce. Make sure you’re using a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari, and you’ll be all set! You can find tons of great gluten-free recipes online, and this is definitely one of them!
Nutritional Information Estimate
Okay, so when we’re talking about these yummy Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kebabs, it’s good to have a general idea of what you’re putting into your body. Remember, these numbers are just an estimate because everyone’s grilling is a little different, and your portion sizes might vary slightly. But generally speaking, one skewer usually comes in around 350 calories. You’re also getting a good dose of protein, about 25g, thanks to that chicken, along with some carbs from the fruit and veggies. It’s a pretty balanced choice for a fun summer meal!
Share Your Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kebabs Creations!
Okay, now that you’ve hopefully made these amazing Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kebabs, I’d LOVE to hear all about it! Did they turn out perfectly? What sides did you serve them with? Seriously, spill the beans in the comments below! And if you snap any pictures, tag me on social media – you can find all about me here. Seeing your creations just makes my day and honestly inspires me so much!
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Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kebabs
- Total Time: 35 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Juicy chicken and sweet pineapple grilled on skewers with a savory marinade.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 lb fresh pineapple, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 red onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, olive oil, ginger, garlic, and black pepper.
- Add chicken pieces to the marinade, toss to coat, and let sit for at least 30 minutes.
- Thread chicken, pineapple, bell peppers, and red onion onto skewers, alternating ingredients.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill skewers for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender-crisp.
Notes
- Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before use to prevent burning.
- You can substitute chicken breast for thighs if preferred, but adjust cooking time to avoid drying out.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Hawaiian chicken, pineapple kebabs, grilled chicken, fruit skewers, summer recipes, easy dinner