BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs are the ultimate summer grilling move—juicy grilled chicken, caramelized pineapple chunks, and a sticky-sweet garlicky teriyaki BBQ glaze that brings big flavor with barely any effort. These colorful skewers come together with a simple marinade, making them a go-to for busy weeknights, backyard cookouts, or those “I need to impress without stress” kind of dinners. Picture it: the sizzle of the grill, a breeze cutting through the heat, and that unmistakable smell of sweet and smoky goodness filling the air—yep, this is what summer tastes like. Trust me, even your picky eaters and grill rookies will devour these. Ready to make your new favorite summer BBQ dinner? Let’s fire it up.
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BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs Recipe Card
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BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs
- Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
Description
So saucy, so sticky, and just so darn good! The chicken is perfectly tender with chunks of fresh pineapple, pepper and onion!
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup barbecue sauce
- ⅔ cup teriyaki sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 sweet onion, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine barbecue sauce, teriyaki sauce, garlic and ginger. Reserve 1/2 cup and set aside.
- In a gallon size Ziploc bag or large bowl, combine barbecue sauce mixture and chicken; marinate for at least 2 hours to overnight, up to 8 hours, turning the bag occasionally. Drain the chicken from the marinade.
- Thread chicken, pineapple, bell pepper and onion onto skewers. Brush with canola oil; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Preheat grill to medium heat.
- Add skewers to grill, and cook, turning occasionally, until the chicken is completely cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, about 10 minutes. Brush skewers with reserved barbecue sauce mixture, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Serve immediately.
- Prep Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grill
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: bbq, chicken, pineapple, kabobs, grill
The Story Behind These Sweet & Smoky Skewers
The idea for these BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs came from a fridge clean-out moment—chicken breasts, leftover pineapple, and a splash of teriyaki BBQ sauce. Tossed it all on skewers, hit the grill, and boom: summer magic. The pineapple caramelizes, the chicken stays juicy, and that sticky, garlicky glaze ties it all together.
It’s that perfect mix of sweet, smoky, and savory that keeps you coming back for “just one more.” If you’re into that grilled pineapple chicken dinner kind of vibe, definitely check out this tropical favorite too.
How to Make Pineapple Chicken Kabobs (Without Breaking a Sweat)
Making these BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs is easier than it looks—and I promise, you won’t need pro grilling skills. Here’s how to do it step by step:
1. Pick Your Chicken Wisely
Go with boneless, skinless chicken breasts. They’re lean, easy to cube, and soak up marinade like champs. Cut them into even chunks so everything cooks at the same pace.
2. Mix Up the Marinade
In a bowl, whisk together teriyaki BBQ sauce, soy sauce, oil, fresh garlic, and ginger. It’s sweet, garlicky, a little zippy, and totally fuss-free. Let the chicken hang out in there for 2 to 8 hours—overnight is cool, but even a couple hours does the trick.
3. Skewer It Like You Mean It
Time to get colorful. Thread the marinated chicken, pineapple chunks, red bell pepper, and sweet onion onto skewers. Alternate them for that restaurant-worthy look. Using wooden skewers? Soak ’em in water for 30 minutes so they don’t go up in flames.
4. Grill Time!
Preheat your grill to medium-high. Lay the kabobs on and grill about 4–5 minutes per side, flipping once. You want those nice grill marks and slightly charred edges. Brush on some extra marinade in the last minute for that sticky, shiny finish.
No grill? No problem. Bake at 425°F for 20–25 minutes or toss ’em in the air fryer at 400°F for about 14 minutes, flipping halfway.
Bonus Tip:
These skewers love company. Pair with rice, grilled veggies, or fresh slaw. Need more weeknight winners? Check out these quick and easy chicken dinner recipes for your rotation.
What to Serve with Pineapple Chicken Kabobs
So you’ve got your juicy, sticky-sweet BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs fresh off the grill—what now? Time to build that perfect plate (or party platter).
On the Side:
- Coconut lime rice – Bright, fluffy, and it soaks up all that extra glaze like a champ.
- Grilled corn on the cob – Slathered with chili-lime butter if you’re feeling bold.
- Simple cucumber salad – Crunchy, cool, and a little tangy to balance the sweet.
What to Sip:
Fire up a cold drink to go with the heat. Try pairing with a tropical spritzer, sparkling lemonade, or maybe even a frozen margarita (because why not?).
Want more drink inspo? Check out these easy summer drink pairings to keep the vibes going.
Save Room for Dessert:
Keep the tropical theme rolling with a slice of Hawaiian pineapple cake. Sweet, moist, and the perfect kabob follow-up.
FAQs about Pineapple Chicken Kabobs
Got questions? I’ve got answers. Let’s make sure your kabobs turn out juicy, flavorful, and totally stress-free.
Yep! Just drain it well and pat the chunks dry with a paper towel. Less moisture = better caramelization on the grill.
You can bake the kabobs in the oven at 425°F for 20–25 minutes, or toss them in the air fryer at 400°F for 14 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Definitely. Marinate the chicken the night before, but wait to skewer everything until right before cooking so the veggies stay crisp.
For sure! They’ll be even juicier—just cook a little longer, about 6–7 minutes per side depending on thickness.
These kabobs are super forgiving, which makes them perfect for beginners and busy weeknights alike. If you’re craving more low-effort, high-reward dinners, check out our full lineup of quick and easy chicken dinner recipes.
Love These Kabobs? Try These Next!
If these BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs hit the spot, you’re gonna love what else we’ve got cooking. Here are a few more recipes that bring the flavor, fun, and maybe a little grill smoke too:
- BBQ chicken recipes that wow the crowd – Perfect for game day, backyard hangs, or whenever you need finger-lickin’ good.
- Sweet and savory dinner ideas – Sticky honey chicken, because your taste buds deserve a treat midweek.
- Blackstone griddle recipes for summer BBQ – Got a griddle? This is your summer playbook for smoky, sizzling success.
Bookmark ‘em, pin ‘em, or just dive in right now—we’ve got plenty more where that came from.
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