Barbecue Skewers with Chicken and Pineapple
Fire up the grill, friends — these BBQ Chicken and Pineapple Skewers are about to become your new summer favorite! Juicy chicken, sweet fresh pineapple, colorful bell peppers, and onion all threaded together, grilled to smoky perfection, and brushed with that sweet-spicy barbecue sauce. They’re easy to prep ahead, fun to eat, and always a crowd-pleaser at our ranch cookouts.
Barbecue Skewers with Chicken and Pineapple are perfect for summer cookouts. The skewers combine white meat chicken, fresh pineapple, red bell pepper, and onion, grilled to a smoky char and brushed with sweet-spicy BBQ sauce. Easy to prep ahead, the recipe uses fresh pineapple for vibrant flavor and offers a fun, flavorful twist on classic kabobs.
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Meet your new grill go-to – our Grilled Chicken and Pineapple kabobs Savor the smoky charred flavor blending with the tastes of chicken, fresh pineapple, bell peppers, and onions. Learn how to perfect these barbecue skewers for all your summer cookouts.
Have you noticed for some unknown reason when you place food on a stick or skewer, it just tastes better? There are so many options with skewers when it comes to ingredients. We even have an amazing Pizza Kabob recipe that you just must try. That just goes to show you that anything can be on a skewer. But today we are talking about Barbecue Skewers with grilled chicken and pineapple and slathered with barbecue sauce.
We are using fresh pineapple to grill and it totally makes a difference. Cutting up a pineapple is easy with the right tools and the fresh flavor it brings is well worth the extra time. We love using this Pineapple de-corer/slicer/peeler/cutter/wedger on Amazon. We do make things a little easier by using a store-bought bbq sauce on these Chicken and Pineapple kabobs or skewers. But your favorite sauce will do but we like to lean towards a sweet but spicy sauce for these skewers.
These BBQ Chicken Pineapple Skewers come off the grill with a beautiful charred, smoky flavor that makes your mouth water. The combination of tender chicken, sweet pineapple, colorful bell peppers, and onions is absolutely amazing.
You’ll find lots of versions out there — Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs, Polynesian Kabobs, Sweet and Spicy Kabobs — but here in Texas, we just call them Barbecue Skewers.
Brimming with juicy chicken, fresh pineapple, and vibrant veggies, they’re always a huge crowd-pleaser. That sweet and spicy BBQ sauce brushed on at the end? Pure perfection.
Barbecue Skewers Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless skinless Chicken Breasts cut into 1-inch cubes
- ½ pineapple cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 red bell pepper cut into 1-inch pieces
- ½ onion cut into 1-inch pieces
- ¼ cup barbecue sauce (Sweet Baby Ray’s)
Equipment Needed:
- Grill
- Skewers
- BBQ Sauce Mop or Brush
- Pineapple de-corer/slicer/peeler/cutter/wedger , optional
🥣 Recipe Tips
- Marinate for Extra Flavor: For even juicier chicken with deeper flavor, toss the chicken cubes in a bit of your favorite BBQ sauce, a splash of pineapple juice, or a simple oil-and-seasoning mix. Let it marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes to 2 hours before assembling the skewers.
- Soak Wooden Skewers Thoroughly: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading to prevent burning on the grill. For extra sturdiness, consider using metal skewers, which can be reused and handle the heat without soaking.
- Cut Ingredients Uniformly: Ensure the chicken, pineapple, bell pepper, and onion are cut into consistent 1-inch pieces. This promotes even cooking, so all components are perfectly grilled without some being undercooked or overdone.
- Apply BBQ Sauce Strategically: Brush the barbecue sauce on during the last 1-2 minutes of grilling to avoid burning due to the sauce’s sugar content. For a bolder flavor, lightly coat the skewers with sauce before grilling and add a final layer afterward for extra stickiness.
Make-Ahead Friendly: These skewers are perfect for prepping in advance. Thread everything onto the skewers earlier in the day (or even the night before), cover tightly, and store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to grill. They cook up beautifully straight from the fridge.
Customize to Your Taste: Switch up the veggies or add a little heat — try jalapeño slices for some Texas kick, or swap the red bell pepper for zucchini or mushrooms. You can also use teriyaki sauce instead of BBQ for a Hawaiian twist, or serve with a side of extra sauce for dipping.
How to Assemble and Grill the Skewers
Makes about 8 skewers
- Prepare the ingredients: Divide your cubed chicken, pineapple chunks, bell pepper slices, and onion pieces into 8 roughly equal portions. This helps ensure each skewer gets a nice balance of everything.
- Thread the skewers: If using wooden or bamboo skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes (or overnight) so they don’t burn on the grill.
Alternately thread the chicken cubes, pineapple chunks, bell pepper slices, and onion pieces onto the skewers, repeating until all the ingredients are used. Don’t pack them too tightly — leave a little space so everything cooks evenly. - Grill the skewers: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 6–8 minutes per side, turning once, until the chicken is no longer pink in the center and has nice char marks.
- Add the BBQ sauce: Brush or Mop your favorite barbecue sauce generously over the skewers. Continue grilling for another 1–2 minutes per side until the sauce is caramelized and slightly sticky. Watch closely so the sauce doesn’t burn.
Pro Tip: These are great for making ahead! You can assemble the skewers earlier in the day (or even the night before) and keep them covered in the fridge until you’re ready to grill.
These BBQ Chicken Pineapple Skewers are everything we love about summer grilling — simple, flavorful, and always a hit with family and friends. Whether you’re hosting a backyard cookout or just need an easy weeknight dinner, these sweet-and-smoky skewers deliver every time.
Other Kabob or Skewer Recipes
🥣 Recipe
Equipment
- Wooden Skewers
- Cutting Board
- Basting Mop or
- Pineapple Peeler/Corer/Slicer optional
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless Chicken Breasts cut into 1-inch cubes
- ½ pineapple cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 red bell pepper cut into 1-inch pieces
- ½ onion cut into 1-inch pieces
- ¼ cup barbecue sauce (Sweet Baby Ray’s)
- 8 skewers
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients: Divide your cubed chicken, pineapple chunks, bell pepper slices, and onion pieces into 8 roughly equal portions. This helps ensure each skewer gets a nice balance of everything.
- Thread the skewers: If using wooden or bamboo skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes (or overnight) so they don’t burn on the grill.Alternately thread the chicken cubes, pineapple chunks, bell pepper slices, and onion pieces onto the skewers, repeating until all the ingredients are used. Don’t pack them too tightly — leave a little space so everything cooks evenly.
- Grill the skewers: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 6–8 minutes per side, turning once, until the chicken is no longer pink in the center and has nice char marks.
Nutrition
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Hi Evelyn, this would fit perfectly in Food on Friday: August under the chicken theme. Hope you bring it on over to share with everybody. Cheers from Carole's Chatter
What is it about food on a stick that elevates eating to a whole new level of fun? Maybe it is the novelty, the nostalgia? Whatever the reason, we joined in on the fun with this delicious recipe.