Okay, listen up! If you’re anything like me, you love food that tastes amazing but doesn’t require a culinary degree or hours slaving over a hot stove. Especially when it’s grilling season! That’s where these Quick and Easy Chicken and Pineapple Kabobs come in. Seriously, they’re my go-to for weeknight dinners, casual get-togethers, or just when I need something flavorful and fast.
I first whipped these up years ago on a whim when I had some chicken and a can of pineapple that needed using. I threw together a super simple marinade, threaded everything onto skewers, and tossed them on the grill. The smell alone was enough to get everyone excited, but the taste? Wow! Sweet, savory, a little bit tangy from the pineapple… it was a total hit. Ever since then, these Quick and Easy Chicken and Pineapple Kabobs have been on repeat in our house. They’re proof that you don’t need fancy ingredients or complicated steps to make something truly delicious on the grill.
I’ve grilled more chicken than I can count over the years, and I’ve tried all sorts of marinades and techniques. But for sheer simplicity and crowd-pleasing flavor, you just can’t beat these kabobs. Trust me, once you make them, they’ll become a staple in your grilling repertoire too!
Why You’ll Love These Quick and Easy Chicken and Pineapple Kabobs
So, why are these little skewers of deliciousness a total winner in my book? Let me tell you! They’re:
- Seriously Quick and Easy: Prep is a breeze, and they cook up in no time. Perfect for those nights when you’re short on time but still want something homemade and tasty.
- Packed with Flavor: That sweet and savory marinade with the juicy pineapple and tender chicken? It’s a flavor explosion you won’t forget.
- Grilling Gold: They’re practically *made* for the grill. They get those lovely char marks and that smoky flavor that just screams summer (or anytime, really!).
- Fun to Eat: Everything on a stick is just more fun, right? Kids and adults love these!
Honestly, they’re just a joy to make and eat. Simple, flavorful, and gets you outside grilling. What’s not to love?
Gathering Ingredients for Quick and Easy Chicken and Pineapple Kabobs
Alright, let’s talk about what you’ll need to make these magical little skewers. The beauty here is that it’s all stuff you probably have or can easily grab at the grocery store. Nothing fancy, just good, simple ingredients that come together beautifully.
You’ll start with about 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Just cube them up into nice, bite-sized pieces, maybe an inch or so. Then grab a 20-ounce can of pineapple chunks. Make sure you drain it, but whatever you do, SAVE THAT JUICE! That’s key for our marinade. You’ll also need 1/2 cup of soy sauce (I usually use low-sodium, but whatever you have is fine), 1/4 cup of packed brown sugar (gives it that lovely sweetness), 1/4 cup of vegetable oil, 1 large clove of garlic, minced, 1 teaspoon of grated fresh ginger (don’t skip the fresh ginger, it makes a difference!), and finally, just a little sprinkle of 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
Essential Equipment for Quick and Easy Chicken and Pineapple Kabobs
Okay, so you’ve got your ingredients ready? Awesome! Now, let’s talk about the tools you’ll need. Again, nothing crazy here, just the basics.
- You’ll definitely need some grilling skewers. Metal or wooden work great!
- A good-sized mixing bowl for the marinade is a must.
- And a whisk to get that marinade perfectly combined.
That’s pretty much it! See? I told you it was simple.
How to Prepare Quick and Easy Chicken and Pineapple Kabobs Step-by-Step
Alright, let’s get these bad boys assembled and ready for the grill! This is where the magic really happens, but don’t worry, it’s super straightforward. Just follow along, and you’ll have delicious kabobs in no time.
Step 1: Get the Grill Ready! First things first, head outside and get your grill preheating to medium-high heat. While it’s warming up, if you’re using wooden skewers, give them a good soak in water. This stops them from turning into little charcoal sticks while you’re grilling. Trust me on this one!
Step 2: Whisk Up That Amazing Marinade. Now for the flavor bomb! In a big mixing bowl, grab that reserved pineapple juice we talked about earlier. Whisk in your soy sauce, brown sugar, vegetable oil, minced garlic, grated fresh ginger, and black pepper. Give it a really good whisk until everything is combined and that brown sugar is dissolved. Smell it! Isn’t that amazing?
Step 3: Marinate the Goodness. Toss your cubed chicken and the drained pineapple chunks right into that beautiful marinade you just made. Give it a good stir to make sure every piece of chicken and pineapple is coated nicely. You don’t need to marinate for hours and hours for this recipe (hence the ‘quick and easy’!), even 15-20 minutes while the grill heats up is enough to get great flavor. But if you have a little extra time, say 30 minutes, that’s even better!
Step 4: Thread ‘Em Up! Now for the fun part – building your kabobs! Carefully thread the marinated chicken pieces and pineapple chunks onto your skewers, alternating them as you go. Don’t pack them too tightly; you want a little space between the pieces so they cook evenly and get nice and caramelized on all sides.
Step 5: Grill Time! Take your assembled kabobs out to the preheated grill. Place them on the hot grates. You’ll grill them for about 15 to 20 minutes total. The key here is to turn them every few minutes so they cook evenly and get those lovely grill marks on all sides. You’ll know they’re done when the chicken is cooked all the way through (no pink in the middle!) and the pineapple looks beautifully caramelized and slightly browned.
And that’s it! See? Super easy. Now, get ready to devour these delicious Quick and Easy Chicken and Pineapple Kabobs!
Tips for Perfect Quick and Easy Chicken and Pineapple Kabobs
Okay, so you’ve got the steps down! But here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up over the years that really make these kabobs perfect every single time. First off, that bit about soaking your wooden skewers? Don’t skip it! It really does keep them from catching fire on the grill, which is, you know, important. Also, make sure your grill grates are clean and well-oiled before you put the kabobs down. This helps prevent sticking, so you don’t lose any of that delicious chicken or pineapple to the grill gods.
And for checking if they’re done, just keep an eye on that chicken. It should be totally opaque and cooked through. The pineapple will get those gorgeous grill marks and might even look a little bubbly and caramelized. That’s exactly what you want! Don’t overcook them, though, or the chicken can get dry. Just 15-20 minutes, turning often, should do the trick!
Variations for Your Quick and Easy Chicken and Pineapple Kabobs
While these kabobs are absolutely fantastic as is, sometimes it’s fun to play around and add some extra goodies! The beauty of skewers is you can pretty much add anything you want that grills well. My favorite additions are chunks of brightly colored bell peppers – red, yellow, or orange work great – and thick slices of red onion. They add more flavor and make the skewers look even prettier! You could also try adding cherry tomatoes. Just thread them on right alongside the chicken and pineapple. It’s an easy way to customize and use up whatever veggies you have on hand!
Serving Suggestions for Quick and Easy Chicken and Pineapple Kabobs
Alright, your amazing kabobs are hot off the grill and smelling incredible! Now, what to serve with them? Since the kabobs themselves are so flavorful and easy, I like to keep the sides simple. A classic choice is perfectly cooked rice – white, brown, or even coconut rice would be amazing. A fresh, crisp green salad is always a winner to balance out the sweetness. Or, if you’ve still got that grill going, toss on some extra veggies like zucchini, bell peppers, or corn on the cob for some delicious grilled sides. Whatever you choose, just make sure it lets those kabobs be the star of the show!
Frequently Asked Questions About Quick and Easy Chicken and Pineapple Kabobs
Okay, I know you might have a few questions buzzing in your head about these kabobs, and that’s totally fine! Let’s tackle some of the common ones I get asked about these Quick and Easy Chicken and Pineapple Kabobs.
Q: How long do I *really* need to marinate the chicken?
A: Honestly, even 15-20 minutes while the grill heats up is enough to get good flavor because of the acidity in the pineapple juice and soy sauce. If you have more time, up to 30 minutes is great, but you really don’t need to go much longer than that for this specific marinade.
Q: Can I cook these in the oven instead of grilling?
A: Absolutely! You can bake these kabobs on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper at around 400°F (200°C) for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. You won’t get that smoky grill flavor or char, but they’ll still be delicious!
Q: What if I don’t have fresh ginger? Can I use ground ginger?
A: Fresh ginger really gives it that bright, zingy flavor that makes a difference here. If you *have* to substitute, use about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger, but I highly recommend grabbing some fresh if you can!
Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
A: Yes! Chicken thighs are actually great on the grill because they stay super juicy. Just make sure they’re boneless and skinless, and cut them into similar-sized chunks. The cooking time might be slightly different, so just make sure they’re cooked through.
Estimated Nutritional Information
I know some of you like to keep an eye on the nutritional side of things, and that’s totally fair! Here’s a general idea of what you’re looking at with these Quick and Easy Chicken and Pineapple Kabobs. Keep in mind, this is just an estimate, okay? Things like the exact size of your chicken pieces, the brand of soy sauce (low sodium vs. regular makes a difference!), and even how much marinade clings to your kabobs can change these numbers a bit. So, take this as a rough guide, not gospel!
Based on the ingredients in the recipe and dividing it into 4 servings (or about one good-sized skewer per person), you’re looking at roughly:
- Calories: Around 350
- Total Fat: About 15g (with maybe 3g of that being saturated fat)
- Sodium: This one can be a bit higher because of the soy sauce, maybe around 900mg. Using low-sodium soy sauce helps a lot here!
- Total Carbohydrates: Roughly 30g (a good chunk of that comes from the sugar in the marinade and the pineapple!)
- Protein: A solid 30g or so (hooray for chicken!)
Again, this is just an estimate! If you’re tracking macros super strictly, you might want to plug your specific ingredients into a nutrition calculator. But hopefully, this gives you a general idea of what’s in these tasty kabobs!
Print
Quick and Easy Chicken and Pineapple Kabobs: 350 Cals Delight
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Halal
Description
Simple and delicious chicken and pineapple kabobs perfect for grilling.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 (20 ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained, juice reserved
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- In a large bowl, whisk together reserved pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, vegetable oil, garlic, ginger, and pepper.
- Add chicken and pineapple chunks to the marinade. Toss to coat.
- Thread chicken and pineapple onto skewers.
- Grill for 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and pineapple is caramelized.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading to prevent burning.
- You can add bell peppers, onions, or cherry tomatoes to the skewers for extra flavor and color.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: chicken, pineapple, kabobs, grill, easy, quick