Grilled Hawaiian-Style Chicken Skewers with Pineapple Glaze

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken skewers marinated in a sweet and tangy pineapple glaze, grilled to perfection inspired by Hawaiian summer bon dance festival flavors. This hawaiian-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Hawaiian cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup pineapple juice, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp minced garlic, 1 tsp grated fresh ginger, and 2 tbsp vegetable oil to create the marinade.
  2. Step 2: Add 1.5 pounds chicken thigh cubes to the marinade and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably 4 hours.
  3. Step 3: Thread marinated chicken cubes and 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks alternately onto the 8 soaked wooden skewers.
  4. Step 4: Preheat grill to medium-high heat, about 400°F. Grill skewers for 12-15 minutes, turning every 3-4 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and slightly charred.
  5. Step 5: Remove from grill, sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro over the skewers, and serve immediately.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Hawaiian-Style Chicken Skewers with Pineapple Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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-Style Chicken Skewers with Pineapple Glaze?

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 pineapple juice from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Hawaiian-Style Chicken Skewers with Pineapple Glaze?

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-Style Chicken Skewers with Pineapple Glaze 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-Style Chicken Skewers with Pineapple Glaze?

Hawaiian 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.

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