Description
Hawaiian Chicken Skewers are a flavorful and colorful grilled dish featuring juicy chicken breast cubes marinated in a tangy pineapple-soy sauce blend and skewered with vibrant bell peppers, red onion, and sweet pineapple chunks. Perfect for a summer BBQ or a tropical-inspired meal, these skewers are easy to prepare, packed with zest and vibrant textures, and ideal for serving alongside rice or fresh salad.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Skewers
- 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped into chunks
- 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped into chunks
- 1 red onion, cut into wedges
- 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Marinade
- ½ cup pineapple juice
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is well combined. Reserve ¼ cup of this marinade separately for basting later.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the cubed chicken breasts to the remaining marinade in the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 8 hours, allowing the chicken to absorb all the tropical flavors.
- Soak Skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat to ensure a good sear on the skewers and slightly charred edges for added flavor.
- Assemble the Skewers: Thread the marinated chicken cubes, red and yellow bell pepper chunks, red onion wedges, and pineapple chunks onto the skewers alternately for a colorful presentation.
- Season and Oil: Brush the assembled skewers lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper to season the vegetables and chicken evenly.
- Grill the Skewers: Place the skewers on the preheated grill. Cook for 10–12 minutes, turning occasionally to cook evenly. During the last few minutes, baste the skewers with the reserved marinade to enhance moisture and flavor.
- Check Doneness and Serve: Ensure the chicken is cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), and the edges are lightly charred. Remove from grill and serve warm, optionally over rice or your favorite side dishes.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs for juicier and more flavorful skewers.
- If a grill is not available, bake the assembled skewers at 425°F (220°C) for about 20 minutes, turning halfway through cooking.
- Serving these skewers over steamed rice or with a fresh salad makes for a complete and balanced meal.
