Rum-Spiced Pineapple Chicken Skewers with Cilantro-Lime Yogurt
Grilled chicken skewers marinated in a spiced rum glaze paired with a refreshing cilantro-lime yogurt sauce for a tropical flair. This caribbean-inspired chicken ready in about 27 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, pineapple chunks, dark rum 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, cut into 1-inch pieces boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup, fresh or canned pineapple chunks
- 1/4 cup dark rum
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 8, soaked in water for 30 minutes wooden skewers
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup dark rum, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 2 tbsp olive oil.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb cut chicken thighs to the marinade, tossing to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Step 3: Thread marinated chicken pieces alternately with 1 cup pineapple chunks onto 8 soaked wooden skewers.
- Step 4: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Grill the skewers for 4-5 minutes per side until the chicken is cooked through and has nice grill marks.
- Step 5: While skewers cook, stir 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and 2 tbsp lime juice in a small bowl; season with salt to taste.
- Step 6: Serve the warm rum-spiced pineapple chicken skewers with the cilantro-lime yogurt sauce for dipping.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rum-Spiced Pineapple Chicken Skewers with Cilantro-Lime Yogurt 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 Rum-Spiced Pineapple Chicken Skewers with Cilantro-Lime Yogurt?
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 chunks from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Rum-Spiced Pineapple Chicken Skewers with Cilantro-Lime Yogurt?
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 Rum-Spiced Pineapple Chicken Skewers with Cilantro-Lime Yogurt 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 Rum-Spiced Pineapple Chicken Skewers with Cilantro-Lime Yogurt?
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.
