Tangy BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs Recipe

Juicy Tangy BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs Recipe for Summer

Weeknight dinners call for something special with tangy BBQ pineapple chicken kabobs that burst with tropical flavor.

Sweet and smoky notes dance across each perfectly grilled morsel.

Succulent chicken pieces nestle between juicy pineapple chunks, creating a colorful skewer that promises pure delight.

Marinades work magic, infusing every bite with robust seasonings and zesty undertones.

The grill caramelizes sugars, creating a gorgeous char that locks in mouthwatering taste.

Summer gatherings or casual family meals become extraordinary with these vibrant kabobs.

Fire up the grill and transform an ordinary evening into a delicious celebration of flavor.

How to Cook BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs Without Burning

  • Prepare Skewers

Soak wooden skewers in water to prevent them from burning during grilling.

  • Marinate Magic

Combine chicken with barbecue sauce, olive oil, and seasonings in a container. Let flavors mingle in the refrigerator for maximum taste excitement.

  • Fire Up the Grill

Heat the grill to a sizzling medium-high temperature, creating the perfect cooking environment.

  • Build Flavor Towers

Slide chicken, pineapple, bell peppers, and red onion onto skewers, creating a colorful and delicious pattern.

  • Grill to Perfection

Cook kabobs for 10-12 minutes, rotating occasionally to ensure even cooking and beautiful char marks.

  • Sauce It Up

In the final moments of grilling, generously brush kabobs with extra barbecue sauce for a glossy, mouth-watering finish.

  • Serve and Enjoy

Remove kabobs from the grill and plate immediately, ready to delight hungry guests with a burst of tropical flavors.

Marinade Ideas for Juicy Pineapple Chicken Kabobs

  • Always soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent them from burning and becoming a fire hazard during grilling.
  • Let chicken marinate for up to 2 hours to develop deeper, more intense flavor profiles that will make your kabobs irresistibly delicious.
  • Swap regular soy sauce with gluten-free tamari sauce to make this recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities without compromising taste.
  • Replace chicken with firm tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version that still delivers incredible barbecue flavor and grilled goodness.
  • Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the marinade for those who enjoy a spicy kick and want to elevate the kabob's flavor complexity.

Serve BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs with Summery Sides

  • Tropical Dinner Companion: Serve these sizzling kabobs over fluffy coconut rice for a complete island-inspired meal that brings zesty flavors together.
  • Party Platter Perfection: Arrange kabobs on a large wooden board with extra grilled pineapple chunks, fresh cilantro sprigs, and lime wedges for a stunning presentation that encourages guests to dig in.
  • Cool Complement Strategy: Pair with a refreshing cucumber-yogurt sauce or a tangy mango salsa to balance the rich barbecue flavors and add a creamy or bright counterpoint to the grilled ingredients.
  • Quick Weeknight Transformation: Slice leftover kabob chicken and pineapple to toss into salads, wrap in tortillas, or mix into grain bowls for an easy next-day lunch that keeps the delicious flavors going.

Storage Tips for Keeping Kabobs Flavorful

  • Extend the delicious taste by keeping marinated chicken in an airtight container for up to 24 hours before cooking, allowing deeper seasoning penetration.
  • Store leftover kabobs in sealed containers for 3-4 days, ensuring maximum freshness and quick reheating for future meals.
  • Wrap uncooked or cooked kabobs tightly in aluminum foil or freezer-safe bags, maintaining quality for up to 2 months with proper packaging.
  • Warm refrigerated kabobs in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes, brushing with extra barbecue sauce to prevent dryness and restore moisture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 32 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs That Work

For Marinade and Flavor Base:
  • Barbecue Sauce: Tangy and sweet base that infuses chicken with rich, smoky flavor, choose a high-quality brand with balanced sweetness.
  • Olive Oil: Helps distribute marinade evenly and keeps chicken moist during grilling.
  • Soy Sauce: Adds depth and umami complexity to the marinade, select low-sodium version for better control of saltiness.
  • Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance overall taste profile and balance other ingredients.
For Protein:
  • Chicken: Lean protein that absorbs marinade perfectly, opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for tender kabobs.
For Grilling Components:
  • Pineapple: Adds tropical sweetness and caramelizes beautifully when grilled, select ripe, golden-yellow fruit with slight softness.
  • Bell Peppers: Provides crunch and vibrant color, choose firm peppers in red, yellow, or green for visual appeal.
  • Red Onion: Offers sharp, slightly sweet flavor when grilled, pick firm onions with tight, dry outer layers.
For Skewering:
  • Wooden Skewers: Allows easy grilling and serving, soak in water to prevent burning during cooking.

Tools That Help You Skewer and Grill Like a Pro

  • Grill: Essential for creating those perfect, smoky char marks on your kabobs.
  • Skewers: Wooden or metal, these will hold your chicken and veggies together during grilling.
  • Large bowl or zip-top bag: Needed for marinating chicken with barbecue sauce and seasonings.
  • Tongs: Crucial for safely turning kabobs on the grill without piercing the meat.
  • Basting brush: Great for applying extra barbecue sauce during the last few minutes of cooking.
  • Cutting board: Use for prepping chicken and chopping vegetables before threading onto skewers.
  • Sharp knife: Helps in cutting chicken and pineapple into uniform pieces for even cooking.
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Tangy BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs Recipe

Tangy BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs Recipe

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4.5 from 29 reviews

  • Total Time: 32 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x
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Description

Sizzling BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs bring tropical flavors dancing across your grill with sweet and tangy marinades. Juicy chicken pieces nestled with caramelized pineapple chunks promise a memorable summer meal that will transport you straight to paradise.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs (680 g) chicken breasts (or thighs), cut into 1.5-inch pieces
  • 1.5 cups (360 ml) pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, drained if using canned)
  • 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1.5-inch pieces
  • 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1.5-inch pieces
  • 1 red onion, cut into chunks
  • 1 ¼ cups (300 ml) barbecue sauce (plus extra for brushing)
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) soy sauce (optional, for added flavor)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste
  • Wooden or metal skewers

Instructions

  1. Skewer Preparation: Submerge wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent charring during grilling.
  2. Marinade Creation: Mix chicken, barbecue sauce, olive oil, soy sauce, salt, and pepper in a container. Refrigerate for 30-120 minutes to enhance flavor absorption.
  3. Grill Initialization: Ignite grill to medium-high temperature, targeting 400°F for optimal cooking environment.
  4. Kabob Assembly: Construct skewers by strategically layering chicken, pineapple chunks, bell peppers, and red onion in an alternating pattern for visual appeal and balanced flavor distribution.
  5. Grilling Process: Position kabobs on grill grates, rotating periodically to ensure even cooking. Maintain 10-12 minutes of total grilling time, monitoring chicken’s complete cooking and achieving a delicate char.
  6. Sauce Glaze: During final grilling moments, generously brush remaining barbecue sauce over kabobs, creating a glossy, caramelized exterior.
  7. Serving Technique: Extract kabobs from grill and plate immediately while maintaining optimal temperature and succulence.

Notes

  • Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling to avoid charring and potential fire hazards.
  • Marinate chicken for a full 2 hours to allow deeper penetration of barbecue sauce and enhance overall taste profile.
  • Space ingredients evenly on skewers and rotate frequently during grilling to achieve uniform char and prevent undercooked sections.
  • Swap chicken with tofu for vegetarian version or use gluten-free barbecue sauce to accommodate different dietary requirements.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 24 g
  • Cholesterol: 75 mg

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Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Education

Southwestern Oregon Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
  • Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.

Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care. 

After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.

Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.

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