Description

Juicy, smoky chicken skewers marinated in a savory blend and grilled with a sweet, caramelized pineapple glaze. This easy BBQ recipe uses fresh pineapple to tenderize the meat and create a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 medium fresh pineapple, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 medium red onion, cut into 1-inch chunks
1/2 cup pineapple juice
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon butter

Instructions

Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch uniform cubes and place in a large bowl.
In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce, olive oil, lime juice, garlic, smoked paprika, honey, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper.
Pour marinade over chicken, toss to coat, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 4 hours.
If using bamboo skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes.
Thread chicken, pineapple chunks, and red onion onto skewers, alternating pieces and leaving space between them.
In a small saucepan, combine pineapple juice, brown sugar, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, and butter. Heat over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves and mixture simmers for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Set aside as glaze.
Preheat grill to medium-high heat (400°F / 200°C) and oil the grates.
Place skewers on the grill and cook for 4-5 minutes on one side.
Flip skewers, brush with pineapple glaze, and cook for another 4-5 minutes, flipping and brushing occasionally, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and pineapple is caramelized.
Remove from grill and let rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.

Notes

Do not marinate chicken for more than 4 hours as the lime juice can make the texture mushy. If using bamboo skewers, soaking them prevents burning. Apply the glaze in the last few minutes of grilling to prevent the sugar from burning. For a vegetarian option, substitute chicken with firm tofu or tempeh.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 skewers per servin
Calories: 280
Sugar: 14
Sodium: 450
Fat: 8
Saturated Fat: 2
Carbohydrates: 18
Fiber: 2
Protein: 30

Keywords: grilled chicken, chicken skewers, pineapple glaze, BBQ recipe, summer grilling, easy dinner, smoky chicken, healthy grilling