Grilled Chicken and Pineapple

These grilled chicken and pineapple skewers blend sweet and savory flavors in a perfect summer meal. The juicy pineapple caramelizes beautifully on the grill while the chicken soaks up a honey-soy marinade, creating a dish that's both impressive and incredibly simple to prepare.

I created this recipe during a beach vacation when we needed something quick but impressive for unexpected guests. Now it's our go-to summer meal when we want to enjoy the outdoors without spending hours cooking.

Ingredients

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts: choose plump, organic chicken for the best texture and flavor
• Fresh pineapple: the natural enzymes tenderize the chicken while grilling
• Soy sauce: provides the savory umami base for the marinade
• Honey: creates beautiful caramelization and balances the salty soy
• Olive oil: helps prevent sticking and carries flavor into the chicken
• Fresh garlic: adds aromatic depth always use fresh instead of pre-minced
• Salt and pepper: enhances all the other flavors
• Wooden or metal skewers: metal conducts heat better but wooden work fine too

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep the skewers:

Soak wooden skewers thoroughly in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning during grilling. This step is crucial for wooden skewers but can be skipped if using metal ones. The soaking allows longer cooking time without the skewers becoming charred.

Create the marinade:

Combine soy sauce, honey, olive oil, minced garlic, salt and pepper in a medium bowl and whisk until thoroughly combined. The marinade should have a balanced sweet-savory profile with the honey fully dissolved into the mixture.

Marinate the chicken:

Add the cubed chicken pieces to the marinade and toss to coat completely. Allow to rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, though 2-4 hours will yield even more flavorful results. The chicken will absorb the flavors while the acidic components tenderize the meat.

Preheat and assemble:

While preheating your grill to medium-high heat approximately 375-400°F thread the marinated chicken and pineapple pieces onto skewers in an alternating pattern. Leave small spaces between pieces to ensure even cooking throughout.

Grill with precision:

Place skewers on the preheated grill and cook for 10-12 minutes, rotating a quarter turn every 2-3 minutes. Look for light char marks on each side and ensure chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature. The pineapple will caramelize and soften while the chicken cooks through.

Rest and serve:

Remove skewers from the grill and allow to rest for 3-5 minutes before serving. This redistributes juices within the chicken for maximum tenderness. Serve hot with optional fresh herb garnish.

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The pineapple is truly the secret weapon in this recipe. I discovered its tenderizing magic by accident when I first made these skewers with slightly tough chicken breasts. The enzymes in fresh pineapple break down the protein fibers in the chicken, creating incredibly tender results that my family now requests weekly during grilling season.

Marinade Magic

The honey-soy marinade does double duty in this recipe. While it provides amazing flavor to the chicken, it also creates a beautiful caramelization on both the meat and pineapple when it hits the grill. For extra flavor, reserve about 2 tablespoons of the marinade before adding the chicken and brush it onto the skewers during the last minute of grilling. Just be sure to never reuse marinade that has touched raw chicken without boiling it first for food safety.

Perfect Pairings

These skewers work wonderfully alongside coconut rice, which complements the tropical pineapple beautifully. Simply replace half the cooking water with coconut milk when preparing your rice, and add a pinch of salt. For a complete meal, add a simple cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar and a touch of sesame oil. The cool crunch balances the warm, sweet-savory flavors of the skewers.

Make-Ahead Tips

While best enjoyed fresh off the grill, you can prepare these skewers up to a day in advance. Assemble everything but hold off on the actual grilling. Store the prepared skewers covered in the refrigerator, then bring to room temperature for 15 minutes before grilling. Alternatively, fully cook the skewers, refrigerate, and reheat on a lower grill setting or in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes until warmed through.

Common Queries

→ How do I prevent wooden skewers from burning?

Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling to prevent them from burning.

→ What type of grill works best for this dish?

You can use a gas grill, charcoal grill, or even a grill pan. Just ensure the heat is set to medium-high for best results.

→ Can I use canned pineapple instead of fresh?

Yes, canned pineapple works, but fresh pineapple is recommended for its firm texture and vibrant flavor.

→ How long should I marinate the chicken?

Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, but for deeper flavor, marinate for up to 4 hours.

→ What herbs can I use for garnish?

Fresh cilantro, parsley, or even a bit of chopped mint work well as garnishes for this dish.