🍍🔥 BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs – Sweet, Sticky, and Totally Irresistible!
By your grill-loving kitchen buddy
Summer’s calling, and you better believe I’m answering with a skewer in one hand and BBQ tongs in the other. These BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs are what I like to call backyard gold—sweet, sticky, smoky, and so finger-lickin’ good they barely make it off the grill before disappearing.
Every bite is loaded with flavor: tender grilled chicken marinated in a garlicky BBQ-teriyaki sauce, juicy pineapple caramelized to perfection, and colorful veggies with just the right char. It’s the kind of meal that makes you want to eat outside barefoot, preferably with a cold drink and your favorite playlist bumping in the background.
So let’s fire up the grill and get into it!
🍴 Why You’ll Love These BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs
Besides the fact that they’re ridiculously good? These kabobs are:
-
Perfect for grilling season: They scream summer with every bite.
-
Sweet + Savory = Magic: That combo of pineapple and BBQ sauce is next level.
-
Easy to prep ahead: Just marinate in the morning and toss on the grill when you’re ready.
-
Great for parties: Everyone loves food on a stick, especially when it’s this tasty.
-
Family-approved: Even picky eaters devour these!
👩🍳 Let’s Talk Ingredients (Serves 6)
You won’t need a huge grocery haul—just a handful of vibrant, flavorful ingredients:
🍗 For the Marinade & Sauce:
-
⅔ cup barbecue sauce – Use your fave! I love a smoky-sweet style here.
-
⅔ cup teriyaki sauce – Adds a tangy umami depth.
-
3 cloves garlic, minced – Garlic makes everything better.
-
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated – Adds zing and warmth.
🍢 For the Kabobs:
-
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks
-
2 cups fresh pineapple chunks – Go for fresh, not canned! The caramelization on the grill is unbeatable.
-
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1½-inch pieces
-
1 sweet onion, cut into 1½-inch pieces
-
2 tbsp canola oil
-
Salt & black pepper, to taste
-
Skewers – Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 mins to prevent burning!
🛠️ Step-by-Step Directions
1. Mix Up the Marinade
In a medium bowl, stir together the BBQ sauce, teriyaki sauce, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Set ½ cup aside for brushing later. The rest becomes your marinade.
2. Marinate the Chicken
Place your chicken chunks in a large bowl or zip-top bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, toss to coat, then seal and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, up to 8 hours. The longer it marinates, the juicier and more flavorful it gets.
Pro tip: If you’re short on time, even a 30-minute marinade will give it a nice boost of flavor.
3. Assemble the Kabobs
Grab your skewers and thread on pieces of marinated chicken, pineapple, red bell pepper, and sweet onion, alternating for that perfect color and flavor combo.
Brush everything with canola oil and give it a good sprinkle of salt and pepper.
Skewer tip: Don’t overcrowd. Leave a little space between the ingredients to help them cook evenly.
4. Grill Time!
Preheat your grill to medium heat (about 375–400°F). Place the kabobs on the grill and cook for 10 minutes, turning every few minutes so they get a nice char on all sides.
After 10 minutes, brush with the reserved sauce and grill for another 1–2 minutes per side until sticky, glossy, and lightly caramelized.
Make sure the internal temp of the chicken hits 165°F before pulling them off.
No grill? No problem! You can broil these on a foil-lined baking sheet in the oven—just keep a close eye on them!
5. Serve and Savor
Slide those sizzling kabobs off the grill and serve ‘em up hot! They’re perfect on their own, or you can pair them with coconut rice, grilled corn, or a tangy coleslaw.
🔥 Serving Ideas & Pairings
-
With Coconut Rice: The mild sweetness of coconut rice is a dreamy match for the bold BBQ flavors.
-
In a Wrap: Take the leftovers (if there are any) and roll them in a tortilla with some shredded cabbage and ranch.
-
Over Greens: Slice the chicken and pile it on a bed of spinach or mixed greens for a hearty grilled salad.
-
With a Fruity Drink: Try a pineapple mojito or a mango iced tea on the side to keep the tropical vibes going.
🧮 Nutritional Breakdown (Per Serving)
-
Calories: ~390
-
Protein: 35g
-
Fat: 10g
-
Carbs: 35g
Not bad for something this delicious and satisfying, right? Plus, it’s naturally gluten-free if you use gluten-free sauces.
🧡 A Little Grill-Time Nostalgia
This recipe takes me straight back to my childhood summers—when dad manned the grill like a boss, mom tossed salad in the kitchen, and we kids darted around the yard with sticky fingers and big smiles. These kabobs were always the highlight of the meal. I still remember the smell of the pineapple charring just enough to get that deep golden color and the chicken sizzling as the sauce bubbled and glazed.
Now, I make them every summer and they never fail to impress—simple ingredients, big flavor, and memories baked right in.
📝 Recipe Recap: BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs
Prep Time: 2 hrs 30 mins (includes marinating)
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: About 3 hours
Serves: 6
Ingredients Recap:
-
⅔ cup BBQ sauce
-
⅔ cup teriyaki sauce
-
3 garlic cloves, minced
-
1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
-
2 lbs boneless chicken breasts, cubed
-
2 cups fresh pineapple chunks
-
1 red bell pepper, chopped
-
1 sweet onion, chopped
-
2 tbsp canola oil
-
Salt & pepper
Directions Recap:
-
Mix BBQ + teriyaki sauce, garlic, and ginger. Set aside ½ cup.
-
Marinate chicken in remaining sauce (2–8 hours).
-
Skewer chicken, pineapple, peppers, and onions.
-
Brush with oil, season, and grill for 10 minutes.
-
Baste with reserved sauce and grill 1–2 more minutes.
-
Serve hot and enjoy!
🎉 Final Thoughts
If you’re craving that perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and savory, BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs are your ticket to grill-master glory. They’re easy to make, fun to eat, and packed with flavors that’ll keep everyone coming back for seconds (and thirds). Make them for your next cookout, weeknight dinner, or just because the sun’s shining and your grill’s calling your name.
Go ahead—kabob it like it’s hot! 🔥
