These grilled Pineapple Chicken Skewers are salty, sweet, and the perfect addition to any backyard BBQ. Each skewer is packed with crispy bacon, juicy pineapple, grilled chicken, and veggies all tossed with your favorite barbecue sauce.
Whether you're hosting a backyard BBQ with friends or simply enjoying a casual dinner with family, these Pineapple Chicken Skewers are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. So fire up the grill and get ready to enjoy a deliciously satisfying meal that captures the essence of summer in every bite.
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Grilled Pineapple Bacon Skewers
Grilled skewers like these Pineapple Chicken Kabobs with bacon and veggies are always a hit at backyard BBQs and summer potlucks. They are super simple to prepare, fun to eat, and full of flavor. Once you have cut your chicken, pineapple, bacon, bell pepper, and onion into bite-sized pieces, just stick them onto the kabobs, and toss onto a preheated grill.
While they cook, you can brush on your favorite brand of barbecue sauce. This gently caramelizes as it cooks, giving even more flavor to your already delicious chicken kabobs. If grilled kabobs are your thing, you may also love these marinated Veggie Kabobs, Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Kabobs, Teriyaki Chicken Kabobs, Asian Beef Kabobs, or Southwest Chicken Kabobs.
Pineapple Chicken Skewers Ingredients
- Chicken - this recipe calls for boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1” pieces. You could also use boneless skinless chicken thighs. Either way you should plan on about 5-6 ounces of meat per person.
- Salt and Pepper
- Bacon - any type of bacon will work great for these kabobs.
- Pineapple - try and choose pineapple that are firm but still have a tiny bit of give when squeezed. Remove the outer skin and core, then cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Red Bell Pepper - these should be cut to the same size as your other meat and veggies. Any color of bell peppers will work great.
- Red Onion - cut into 1” chunks.
- Barbecue Sauce - use your favorite brand.
- Skewers - you can use either wooden skewers or metal skewers. If you use wooden you will need to pre soak them for at least 1 hour. Metal skewers just need a bit of oil rubbed over them before adding your ingredients.
How to Grill Chicken Pineapple Kabobs
- Soak skewers. Place the wooden skewers in a shallow baking dish and cover with water. Soak for at least 1 hour so the sticks don't burn while the chicken cooks.
- Prepare the ingredients. Cut the chicken breasts into 1" chunks and season with salt and pepper. Cut the strips of bacon, red pepper, onion, and pineapple into 1" chunks.
- Assemble the kabobs. Thread the chicken chunks, bacon, red pepper, onion, and pineapple onto the soaked skewers, being careful to evenly space the chicken so that it cooks evenly.
- Grill the kabobs. Preheat the grill to medium high heat, then place the kabobs onto the preheated grill (approximately 335 degrees F). Cook for about 8-10 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown. Turn the chicken over, brush with BBQ sauce, and cook for another 5-7 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees.
- Serve. Remove the kabobs from the grill and let them rest on a platter for about 5 minutes. Serve warm with extra barbecue sauce. Enjoy!
Pineapple Chicken Kabobs Recipe Variations
Whether you prefer a sweet and tangy flavor or a spicy and smoky kick, there's a variation here to satisfy every taste bud.
- Teriyaki Chicken Kabobs: Marinate the chicken in a mixture of soy sauce, ginger, garlic, brown sugar, and pineapple juice. Serve with extra teriyaki sauce for dipping.
- Spicy Pineapple Kabobs: Add some heat to your kabobs by marinating the chicken in a blend of pineapple juice, lime juice, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and a touch of honey. Skewer the chicken and pineapple, and grill until the chicken is nicely charred.
- Mediterranean Chicken Kabobs: Infuse your kabobs with Mediterranean flavors by marinating the chicken in a blend of lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, oregano, and a touch of honey. Skewer the chicken and pineapple, and grill until the chicken is cooked through. Serve with a refreshing tzatziki sauce.
- Zesty Citrus Chicken Kabobs: Brighten up your kabobs with a citrusy marinade. Mix together pineapple juice, orange juice, lime juice, garlic, and a hint of honey. Serve with a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
- Herb-infused Chicken Kabobs: Add fresh herbs to the marinade, then serve with a sprinkle of fresh herbs on top.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you don’t have a grill or don’t want to heat it up, you can also cook these kabobs in the broiler. Prepare as directed in this recipe, then cook and turn until all sides are golden and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
Yes! You can easily prepare all ingredients and soak the skewers the night before. That way, the next day all you need to do is fire up the grill, thread the ingredients, and cook.
Both wooden and metal skewers work great for making kabobs. If you do use wooden skewers, you just have to be sure and soak them in water for at least 1 hour prior to using so that they don’t catch on fire. If you use metal skewers, just rub a little oil on them before adding all of the ingredients.
Storing and Reheating Instructions
- Refrigerator: remove all grilled ingredients from the wooden skewers and store in the airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To reheat: you can microwave leftovers, or reheat in a skillet over the stovetop slowly with a little water or avocado oil.
Pineapple Chicken Skewers Recipe
Ingredients
- 2-3 large Chicken Breasts boneless, skinless, cut into 1" pieces
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ⅛ teaspoon Pepper
- 8 slices Bacon cut into 1" pieces
- 1 small Pineapple cut into 1" pieces
- 1 medium Red Bell Pepper cut into 1" pieces
- 1 small Red Onion cut into 1" pieces
- ½ cup Barbecue Sauce
- Wooden Skewers soaked for at least 1 hour
Instructions
- Preheat grill to about 335 degrees F.
- Place the wooden skewers in a shallow baking dish and cover with water. Soak for at least 1 hour so the sticks don't burn while the chicken cooks.
- Meanwhile, cut the chicken breasts into 1" chunks and season with salt and pepper. Cut the bacon, red pepper, onion, and pineapple into 1" chunks.
- Thread the chicken chunks, bacon, red pepper, onion, and pineapple onto the soaked skewers, being careful to evenly space the chicken so that it cooks evenly.
- Place the kabobs onto the preheated grill and cook for about 8-10 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown. Turn the chicken over, brush with BBQ sauce, and cook for another 5-7 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees.
- Remove the kabobs from the grill and let them rest on a platter for about 5 minutes. Serve warm with extra barbecue sauce. Enjoy!
Nutrition
More of the Best Summer Grilling Recipes
- Southwest Chicken Kabobs
- Bang Bang Chicken Kabobs
- Hamburgers
- Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken
- Grilled Pineapple
- Grilled Chicken BLT Salad
- Grilled Teriyaki Chicken
- Homemade Grilled Pizza
- Asian Beef Kabobs
- More Chicken Recipes
- More Easy Summer Recipes
These easy Grilled Pineapple Bacon Chicken Kabobs are full flavor. They take just a few minutes to prepare and are always a hit at summer BBQs and potlucks.
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