Blissful BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs in 12 Minutes

Name: Blissful BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs in 12 Minutes
Prep time: PT-492244H37M49S
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 2 h 32 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup barbecue sauce; ½ cup teriyaki sauce; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger; 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes; 1 tablespoon olive oil; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks; 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1 ½-inch pieces; 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1 ½-inch pieces; 1 medium red onion, cut into wedges; Metal or soaked wooden skewers; ¼ cup reserved marinade; 1 tablespoon honey

By anna Boncoeur On September 18, 2025

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

If you are looking for the absolute best BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs to fire up your grill this summer, you have come to the right place! Seriously, these things are magic—sweet, smoky, and they practically melt in your mouth. I’m Anna, and I’m obsessed with finding those simple, flavorful chicken recipes that make weeknight cooking feel like a backyard party. I’ve spent years perfecting easy meals that don’t rely on complicated steps, and these skewers are proof that big flavor doesn’t need hours of work. Forget dry chicken; we are locking in all that sweet, garlicky goodness right here.

Table Of content

Assembling the Best BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs Ingredients

Getting ready for these BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs is half the fun! Don’t rush this part; the quality of your ingredients really shines through when everything hits the heat. We need fresh produce and good quality chicken breasts cut just right to ensure everything cooks evenly. Trust me, taking an extra minute here saves you headaches later.

For the glaze and marinade, we’re mixing up a powerhouse combination of flavors with barbecue sauce, teriyaki sauce, fresh garlic, and ginger. The whole recipe is designed around these components working together. If you enjoy teriyaki flavors, you might also like our easy teriyaki chicken recipe.

Preparing the Chicken and Vegetables for BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs

First things first: the protein. You need about two pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Make sure you cut these into uniform 1-inch cubes. Uniformity is key so they all finish cooking at the same time! For the fresh elements, we are using two cups of pineapple chunks—fresh is always best here for that bright tang.

Next up are the peppers and onions. I like one red bell pepper and one green bell pepper, cut into nice, chunky 1 and a half-inch pieces. They should be roughly the same size as your chicken pieces so they look pretty on the skewer. Don’t forget one medium red onion, cut into wedges that separate easily when you thread them on.

Crafting the Flavorful BBQ Sauce Marinade

This marinade is what makes these chicken skewers so tender and flavorful. In a medium bowl, whisk together half a cup of your favorite barbecue sauce with half a cup of teriyaki sauce. You’ll need three cloves of garlic, minced up super fine, and about a tablespoon of freshly grated ginger. That ginger really brightens up the heavy BBQ flavor, so don’t skip it! If you love garlic-forward dishes, check out our garlic herb chicken breast secrets.

Now, here is a crucial step for perfect BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs: once everything is whisked together, you *must* scoop out exactly a quarter cup of that mixture into a separate small bowl. That small amount is going to become our thick, sweet glaze later. The rest goes right over the chicken to marinate.

Why You Will Make These BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs Often

Honestly, I keep coming back to these skewers because they solve the weeknight dinner dilemma perfectly. They taste like you spent all day tending the grill, but they come together way faster than that. They are the definition of easy weeknight joy!

Incredible Flavor Balance: You get that smoky char from the grill perfectly paired with the sweetness of the pineapple and the savory garlic glaze. It’s a total flavor explosion!
Super Fast Cook Time: Once marinated, these cook up in about 12 minutes flat. Perfect for when you want dinner on the table quickly.
Minimal Cleanup: Since everything is cooked right on the skewer, you skip messy pans. Just toss the used skewers and you’re basically done!

Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs

Okay, now we get to the fun part—putting it all together and watching the magic happen on the grill. If you followed the ingredient prep, this assembly is super straightforward. Remember, these BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs are best when you follow the timing carefully, especially when we add that glaze at the very end.

Marinating the Chicken for Maximum Flavor

Once your chicken is cubed and covered in the main marinade mixture, you need to let it sit and soak up all that teriyaki and garlic goodness. Pop that resealable bag or dish into the fridge. You absolutely need to marinate it for a minimum of two hours—that’s where the tenderness really starts. But if you can swing it, let it go for up to eight hours. Seriously, the longer it sits, the better the flavor penetration. Just make sure that container is sealed tight so you don’t get marinade everywhere!

Assembling and Prepping the Skewers

While the chicken is marinating, get your skewers ready. If you are using those lovely thin wooden ones, make sure they have been soaking in water for at least 30 minutes so they don’t burn up on the grill. Metal skewers are great because you don’t have to worry about soaking them. Now, thread everything on! We want an alternating pattern here: chicken, pineapple, red pepper, onion, then repeat. Try to keep the pieces snug but not jammed so the heat circulates.

Once they are all loaded up, give the entire skewer a very light brush with about a tablespoon of olive oil—this prevents sticking. Then, sprinkle everything lightly with a little salt and pepper. Don’t go crazy with the salt yet, because that glaze is going to pack a punch later!

Grilling Technique for Tender, Charred BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs

Preheat your grill to a steady medium heat, aiming for about 375 degrees Fahrenheit. You want it hot enough to get those nice charred edges but not so hot that the outside burns before the chicken cooks through. Lightly oil those grates so your beautiful skewers don’t stick. Place the kabobs on the grill and cook them for a total of 10 to 12 minutes. The secret here is turning them frequently—every few minutes—to ensure all sides get that beautiful char and cook evenly.

Applying the Final Honey Glaze

This is the grand finale! About two minutes before the kabobs are done—meaning the chicken should be hitting that safe 165-degree internal temperature—it’s time to glaze. Take that reserved quarter cup of marinade and whisk in one tablespoon of honey until it’s smooth and shiny. Brush this sweet mixture liberally over all sides of the cooking kabobs. The honey will caramelize quickly, giving you that perfect sticky crust. Once glazed, pull them straight off the heat. Don’t let them sit on the hot grates! Let those amazing BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs rest for five minutes before you pull them off the skewers to serve. They’ll be juicy and perfect.

Essential Equipment for Making BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs

You don’t need a million fancy gadgets to make these skewers, but having the right tools makes cooking up these BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs so much easier. Honestly, the grill is the star here, but a few other things are non-negotiable for success and safety.

Your grill, preheated and ready for action.
A reliable meat thermometer—you absolutely must check that chicken temperature!
Large bowls for mixing the marinade and tossing the chicken.
Sturdy tongs for flipping those hot skewers without dropping the pineapple chunks.
Skewers, either metal or wooden ones that have been soaking.

Tips for Mastering Your BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs

Look, I know grilling can feel intimidating, but mastering these BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs is all about a few small execution tricks. The biggest mistake people make is taking them off the heat too soon or letting them sit too long. Remember, chicken needs to hit that internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit—use that meat thermometer every single time! Trust me, you cannot guess this on the grill; it’s the only way to guarantee juicy, safe results.

If you see the outside getting super dark or almost black before the center feels firm, your heat is too high. Pull them off for a minute, move them to a cooler part of the grill, and let the inside catch up. Frequent turning is your best friend here; it builds that even char without burning the sugars in the pineapple or the glaze.

Ingredient Substitutions for Your BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs

While the pineapple and pepper combination is classic, you might have something else lying around that works beautifully for these BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs. If you don’t have red or green bell peppers, don’t panic! Zucchini chunks work wonderfully as a substitute. Zucchini gets a nice tender texture on the grill without overpowering the main flavors.

Just make sure whatever vegetable you swap in is cut to about the same 1 and a half-inch size as the peppers so they cook at the same rate as the chicken and pineapple. You want that perfect mix of savory meat, sweet fruit, and tender veggie on every single bite.

Storing and Reheating Leftover BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs

Even though these BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs are usually polished off the second they come off the grill, sometimes you end up with leftovers. Don’t worry, they reheat beautifully! The key is not drying out that delicious chicken and pineapple. I always pull the meat and veggies off the skewers before storing them because it packs better and reheats more evenly.

Here is the best way I’ve found to handle leftovers so you can enjoy them again later in the week:

Storage Time	Reheating Method
Up to 3 days in the refrigerator	Oven/Toaster Oven: Reheat on a foil-lined baking sheet at 350°F for about 8-10 minutes until warmed through. This keeps the edges slightly crisp.
Up to 1 month in the freezer	Microwave: Place a small serving on a microwave-safe plate and heat in 30-second bursts until warm. Add a tiny splash of water to the plate to help steam the chicken slightly.

Frequently Asked Questions About These Skewers

I get so many questions about these skewers because everyone wants their BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs to be perfect! They are so simple, but a few little details can make a huge difference in your grilling success. Here are the things I hear most often when people are trying out this recipe for the first time. For more grilling inspiration, check out our Pinterest page.

Can I bake the BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs instead of grilling?

Absolutely! If the weather isn’t cooperating or you just prefer the oven, you can bake these skewers. Lay them out on a foil-lined baking sheet. Pop them into a preheated 425°F oven for about 18 to 20 minutes, turning them halfway through the cooking time. For that signature charred look we love, put them under the broiler for the last two minutes. Just watch them super closely under the broiler so they don’t burn!

What is the safe internal temperature for the chicken?

This is the most important question for any chicken recipe! For food safety, you must confirm that the chicken pieces in your BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Seriously, don’t trust your eye; use a reliable meat thermometer stuck into the thickest piece of chicken on the skewer. That’s how you guarantee juicy, perfectly cooked meat every single time.

How far in advance can I chop the vegetables?

Since we want the best flavor, I recommend chopping the peppers and onions the day before you assemble the kabobs. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge. The pineapple is best cut the same day you grill, though. Keeping the vegetables crisp until the last minute helps them hold their shape and texture when they hit that high heat on the grill.

Share Your Perfect BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs Experience

I hope you loved making these! Seriously, when you nail that smoky, sweet char on your BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs, I want to hear all about it. Head down to the comments below, give this recipe a rating, and tell me what you served alongside them!

Nutritional Estimate Disclaimer

Just a quick note for everyone tracking their macros closely: the nutritional information provided for these BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs is an estimate only. Since we all use different brands of barbecue sauce, different cuts of chicken, and varying amounts of oil, the exact calorie and nutrient counts will shift. Use this data as a general guide for planning your meals.