Grilled Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Skewers
Juicy chicken breast pieces marinated in a sweet and tangy pineapple glaze, grilled to perfection and served with charred pineapple chunks. This caribbean-inspired chicken ready in about 27 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes chicken breast, fresh pineapple chunks, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, cut into 1-inch cubes chicken breast
- 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp fresh lime juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground ginger, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until combined and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb of cubed chicken breast into the marinade, stirring to coat well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably 2 hours, to infuse the flavors.
- Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Thread marinated chicken cubes alternately with 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks onto skewers.
- Step 4: Grill the skewers for 10-12 minutes, turning every 3 minutes, until chicken is cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F and pineapple is caramelized at the edges.
- Step 5: Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. The glaze will be sticky and aromatic with a perfect balance of sweet and savory.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Skewers take to make?
Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Grilled Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Skewers?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep fresh pineapple chunks from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Skewers?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Grilled Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Skewers for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Grilled Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Skewers?
Caribbean chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.