BBQ Chicken Pineapple Kebabs (Printable)

Grilled chicken, pineapple, and red onion skewers glazed in smoky sauce, perfect for easy summer dining.

# What You'll Need:

→ Protein & Marinade

01 - 1.1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, plus extra for brushing
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Vegetables & Fruit

08 - 1 medium red onion, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
09 - 1 medium pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into 1-inch chunks

→ Assembly

10 - 8 wooden or metal skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes if wooden

# Directions:

01 - In a large bowl, combine chicken cubes, olive oil, BBQ sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss well to coat evenly. Marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 2 hours refrigerated for enhanced flavor.
02 - Preheat grill to medium-high heat, approximately 400°F.
03 - Thread chicken, pineapple, and red onion alternately onto skewers, beginning and ending with chicken pieces for structural stability.
04 - Place skewers on grill and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, turning every 3 to 4 minutes and brushing with additional BBQ sauce. Cook until chicken is cooked through and slightly charred.
05 - Remove kebabs from grill and rest for 2 minutes. Serve warm with additional BBQ sauce as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The pineapple actually cooks into something tender and deeply caramelized, not mushy or bland like you might expect.
  • You can have dinner ready in under an hour, which makes these perfect when friends text that they're coming over.
  • There's something satisfying about assembling the skewers yourself—it feels less like cooking and more like building something delicious.
02 -
  • If you don't soak wooden skewers, they will absolutely burn and you'll spend half the cooking time watching them catch fire instead of enjoying the grill.
  • The pineapple releases juice as it cooks, which can cause flare-ups—keep the grill lid nearby and don't panic if you see flames; just move the skewers to a cooler spot for a moment.
03 -
  • Let your protein come to room temperature before grilling—it cooks more evenly and you'll get better caramelization on the outside.
  • If your BBQ sauce has a lot of sugar, wait until the last few minutes to brush it on so it caramelizes without burning; early brushing can scorch it.
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