Grilled Pineapple and Jerk-Spiced Chicken Skewers with Mango Salsa
Juicy chicken skewers marinated in spicy jerk seasoning, grilled alongside sweet pineapple chunks, and served with a refreshing mango salsa for a Caribbean-inspired meal. This caribbean-inspired grilling ready in about 55 minutes pairs jerk seasoning, fresh pineapple, cut into 1-inch chunks, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tbsp jerk seasoning
- 2 cups fresh pineapple, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium ripe mango, diced
- 1 small red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 8 skewers wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, toss 1.5 lbs cubed boneless chicken breast with 3 tbsp jerk seasoning and 1 tbsp olive oil. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
- Step 2: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Thread marinated chicken cubes and 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks alternately onto 8 soaked wooden skewers.
- Step 3: Brush skewers with remaining 1 tbsp olive oil and grill for 10-12 minutes, turning every 3 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and pineapple is lightly charred.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine 1 diced medium mango, 1 small diced red bell pepper, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Mix well to make mango salsa.
- Step 5: Serve the grilled chicken and pineapple skewers hot with a generous spoonful of mango salsa on top or on the side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Pineapple and Jerk-Spiced Chicken Skewers with Mango Salsa take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (40 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 Pineapple and Jerk-Spiced Chicken Skewers with Mango Salsa?
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 jerk seasoning from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Pineapple and Jerk-Spiced Chicken Skewers with Mango Salsa?
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 Pineapple and Jerk-Spiced Chicken Skewers with Mango Salsa 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 Pineapple and Jerk-Spiced Chicken Skewers with Mango Salsa?
Caribbean grilling 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My kids loved the pineapple skewers and even ate the salsa. Will make again!
- ★★★★★
This was the hit at my summer barbecue! The jerk spice on the chicken was perfect and the mango salsa was refreshing.
- ★★★★☆
Grilled for 20 minutes as instructed, but the jerk spice was slightly bland for my taste.