These Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs are sweet and savory, loaded with tender chicken breast, pineapple chunks, bell peppers and an easy pineapple BBQ marinade! The perfect prep-ahead summer meal.
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If a tropical vacation isn’t on your horizon anytime soon, these Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs are the next best thing!
I don’t know what it is about kabobs, but there’s something about eating food off of skewers that makes everything taste even better. It’s also one of the rare occasions where eating with your hands is not only acceptable, it’s encouraged!
So what is it about these chicken skewers that gives them their Hawaiian twist?
The marinade is made from a combination of barbecue sauce, pineapple juice, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic and generous chunks of pineapple are threaded directly onto the skewer.
In other words, it has plenty of fruity Island Flavor!
If you love all things Hawaiian, try my Hawaiian Chicken Burgers with Grilled Pineapple next!
Since these chicken skewers are such a summery dish I like to serve them with an equally summery side dish like my Best Homemade Coleslaw or Easy Potato Salad (this Easy Instant Pot Potato Salad is a great option for those Instant Pot lovers!).
Basically anything that my family loves and that doesn’t require turning on the oven!
How to make a Hawaiian Chicken Kabob Marinade:
- Barbecue sauce: I use a sweeter store bought or homemade BBQ sauce when I make these chicken kabobs. If I have any of my Pineapple Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce handy it’s my go-to barbecue sauce for this recipe!
- Pineapple juice: Pineapple juice adds a distinct tropical taste and added sweetness.
- Soy sauce: Soy sauce gives the marinade a bit of a salty kick without overwhelming the other ingredients.
- Fresh ginger and garlic: If you don’t have fresh ginger and garlic on hand you can always use the minced version from a jar, or substitute with much less of each in their dried versions.
Tips for making chicken skewers:
- Invest in stainless steel skewers or soak wooden skewers for at least 10 minutes and up to 1 hour before using, this will prevent them from burning on the grill.
- Try to cut your kabob ingredients into uniform pieces, this will help everything cook evenly on the grill.
- Thread chicken, veggies, and pineapple onto two parallel skewers (or, again, invest in steel ones that are flat!) if you’re worried about ingredients shifting around on the grill.
- Leave a small amount of space between each ingredient on the skewer for even heat circulation.
How to prep chicken kabobs ahead of time:
These Hawaiian chicken skewers can be made ahead of time and refrigerated until you’re ready to grill.
- Marinate the chicken breast chunks for at least 1 to 4 hours according to recipe directions.
- Refrigerate reserved marinade in a sealed container or jar.
- Assemble the skewers using chicken, vegetables, and pineapple.
- Store in the fridge on a large plate covered with plastic wrap or in a large resealable container for up to 24 hours before grilling.
- Remove the chicken kabobs and reserved marinade from the fridge 20 minutes before cooking to ensure even grilling.
Variations on these Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs:
- Use boneless skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts — they may need an extra minute or two to cook.
- Make steak kabobs by substituting a lean yet flavorful cut of steak (such as tri-tip or sirloin) for the chicken.
- Make pork kabobs by swapping out the chicken for cubed pork tenderloin.
- Get creative with fruits and veggies such as button mushrooms, zucchini, yellow squash, peaches, and cubed mango (or other tropical fruit).
More recipes for the grill to check out:
- Grilled Turkey Burgers
- Honey Balsamic Grilled Chicken
- Sweet and Spicy Coconut Grilled Chicken
- Grilled Pulled Pork Stuffed Peppers
Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
Marinade
- 1 cup barbecue sauce (I like to use one with sweetness)
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
Chicken Kabobs
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1-1.5lbs)
- 2 bell peppers cut into 1" pieces
- 1 pineapple cut into 1" pieces
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together marinade: bbq sauce, pineapple juice, soy sauce, oil, ginger, garlic, salt and pepper.
- Cut chicken breasts into 1" cubes (ensuring they are an even size will get you the best results).
- Place chicken in a large Ziploc freezer bag or medium glass container with half of the marinade. Cover and marinate for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours.
- Cover remaining marinade and refrigerate until needed.
- Preheat the grill to medium high heat, around 375-400 degrees.
- If using wooden skewers, soak for 10 minutes before building kabobs.
- Build kabobs, alternating between chicken, peppers, and pineapple chunks as desired. Discard remaining marinade from the chicken.
- Grill for 4-5 minutes per side, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F in the thickest part, basting twice during the cook time with remaining marinade.
- Remove from grill and serve.
Nutrition Information
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mae says
could you use the same sauce and make them with steak instead of chicken
Connie says
I used orange juice from an orange, I didn’t have pineapple juice. Hope it turns out ok
The Recipe Rebel says
I’m sure it will! Enjoy!
Machelle Zehner says
Awesome, I skipped the ginger but all was so flavorful. Before I after marinade to meet, I save a small bit to baste with once turned on the grill, and then again on the plate.
The Recipe Rebel says
So glad you enjoyed it Machelle!
Marty Young says
Absolutely delicious. I added chunks of yellow onion. I also did them in the oven at 350 for 10-15 minutes.
Jillian Macmillan says
Really good!! Super tasty and the chicken is really tender. I’ve made these a few times now and they’re always a hit! I don’t know if you’ve noticed but in the description of the Kabobs, red onions are mentioned but not mentioned anywhere in the list of ingredients, instructions or even shown in the picture. I’m going to be making these for a BBQ on the weekend and will add the red onion this time. I’m sure they’ll be just as good!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Jillian! I apologize for the typo!
Kristen W says
These were absolutely delicious. We paired it with garlic and herb rice pilaf and a garden salad. Definitely a recipe I’ll make again. The whole family enjoyed it.
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so glad you liked it!
Christina says
We made these kabobs last night for dinner. They we so Delicious!
The chicken was so tender. Loved all of the flavors! Thank you so much the the great recipe!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Christina!
Taylor says
Tried it tonight and LOVED IT! I used Sweet Baby Rays Hawaiian bbq and it worked perfectly in the marinade.
Tip: double the yield for the marinade and use the extra on white rice. It really makes a well-rounded, filling meal! You won’t be sorry!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Taylor! That’s a great idea!
Courtney says
Can you make this as a sheet pan meal?
Ashley Fehr says
Yes I’m sure you could! I would cook it about the same amount of time in the oven.
Mary says
I’m just wondering if the nutritional info is per serving, or for all 4 servings? I can’t wait to try your recipe!! Making it tonight!! Thanks in advance!!
Ashley Fehr says
Per serving
Maria Castellanos says
SO. GOOD! Tried these out during the summer and it was the perfect summer kabob. Instead of leaving the chicken marinating for a few hours I left it marinating over night in the fridge so it can really soak up the flavor (and it did)! It’s has the perfect balance of BBQ and pineapple, simply so good! I also added zucchini in there and it was overall the perfect kabob. Great recipe!!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Maria! I’m so glad you loved them!
Lisalia says
Perfect chicken and the BEST fresh flavor. Loved combining the fruit and veggie combo. Can’t wait to have this again!
Ashley Fehr says
thanks Lisalia! They are one of our favorites!
Rachel says
The grilled pineapple and chicken was delicious and the chicken was so tender. Very easy to make. Definitely making again.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Rachel!
Natasha says
Tried this chicken kabobs the other day and LOVED it! I was surprised at how delicious it turned out. Will be making these again! Thank you! I love your recipes!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Natasha! I’m so glad!
Kara says
It’s true, eating food off a stick is more fun! We loved the tangy sweetness of these kabobs. So yummy!
Ashley Fehr says
thanks Kara!
wilhelmina says
Oh my goodness, these are amazing! I love the flavor the marinade added. I am so glad I picked these for my birthday dinner!
Ashley Fehr says
Thank you! We love them too!
Gina says
These kabobs were so delicious!! Definitely making again!
Ashley Fehr says
thanks Gina!
Mary Randall says
I was not able to print the recipe. Any suggestions?
Ashley Fehr says
If you have pop ups blocked, then the print page will not be able to pop up