Pineapple Chicken Kabobs are perfect for summer grilling! These simple kabobs are threaded with tender marinated chicken, juicy pineapple, and red onion, then finished on the grill to lock in all the flavors!

Overhead view of grilled chicken pineapple kabobs on parchment paper

One of my favorite meals growing up was my mom’s grilled kabobs served over rice. She would always reserve a little extra sauce that we could pour over the kabobs when we were ready to eat. The sauce would revive the kabobs and soak into the rice. It was absolutely delicious and to this day, it’s still a little nostalgic. Can you see why I have such a soft spot for kabob recipes?! These Grilled Chicken Pineapple Kabobs are my current favorite, although my Marinated Chicken Kabobs and Balsamic Grilled Chicken Kabobs are mighty good too.

Why Your Summer Is Incomplete Without These Kabobs

Kabobs are summery to begin with, but add pineapple, and WHOA. Tastes like summer, especially when paired with a Frozen Mango Margarita. Here’s why you should add this recipe to your summer grilling list.

Juicy marinated chicken. The best part about this recipe is the marinated chicken. The pineapple and tamari sauce from the marinade breaks down the proteins in the chicken, leaving you with such deep flavor and makes the chicken super moist and tender.
Just the right blend of sweet and savory. The sweetness from the pineapple combined with the savory flavors from the tamari sauce creates a perfectly balanced marinade that enhances the flavor of the chicken without overpowering it. And with the addition of pineapple juice, it caramelizes beautifully on the grill!
Perfect for parties. Instead of the usual burgers and hot dogs, throw these chicken pineapple kabobs on the grill and everyone will flip for them!

Overhead view of grilled chicken pineapple kabob ingredients with labels

What You’ll Need

Here’s a list of all the ingredients you’ll need for these chicken pineapple kabobs. Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.

Pineapple Chicken:

Chicken breast – Boneless, skinless breasts cut into 1-inch cubes.
Pineapple juice – Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain, which breaks down proteins. It helps the chicken get tender and juicy.
Tamari sauce – Low-sodium soy sauce works too.
Garlic – For savory flavor in the marinade.
Smoked paprika – I love the smoky flavor this adds, which is especially good if you’re using an indoor grill!

Kabobs:

Pineapple – I like to use fresh or frozen pineapple, not canned, which tends to be softer.
Red onion – This adds a nice contrast to the sweet pineapple.
Cilantro – For garnish.

How to Make Chicken Pineapple Kabobs

This recipe is an easy dinner, which is exactly what you need in the summer! Here’s what you’ll need to do.

Overhead view of chicken in bowl of marinade — Marinate the chicken.

Overhead view of chicken pineapple kabobs on sheet pan before grilling — Marinate the chicken.

Make the marinade. Whisk the pineapple juice, tamari, garlic, and smoked paprika in a small bowl. Reserve 1/4 cup for serving.
Marinate the chicken. Toss the chicken with the remaining marinade in a bowl and marinate for 30 minutes.
Assemble. Thread the marinated chicken, pineapple chunks, and red onion onto the skewers.
Prepare. Preheat your grill to 375-400°F and grease the grates with oil or cooking spray.
Grill. Place the kabobs on the grill and cook for 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through.
Serve. Brush the kabobs with the reserved marinade and garnish with cilantro before serving.

Tips and Variations

Here are a few tips and ideas for switching up this chicken pineapple kabob recipe.

Soak the skewers. If you are using wooden or bamboo skewers, you will need to soak them for at least 30 minutes prior to threading the kabobs. Metal skewers don’t need to be soaked.
Add some heat. Whisk a pinch (or two) of cayenne into the marinade for a bit of a kick.
Get a head start. Kabobs can be made 24 hours in advance. To make ahead of time, just thread the prepared kabob ingredients on skewers and wrap them with plastic wrap.
Meal prep it. You can also freeze pineapple chicken kabobs to cook another day. For this particular recipe, I would suggest cubing the chicken according to the recipe and placing it in a ziplock freezer bag with the marinade. It should keep up to 6 months.

Overhead view of grilled chicken pineapple kabobs with cilantro

Serving Suggestions

I love serving these chicken pineapple kabobs just like my mom did, over rice. But they’re also awesome with Creamy Potato Salad with Bacon, Honey Soy Roasted Brussels Sprouts, and Fresh Strawberry Mojitos.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Refrigerator: Store any leftover chicken pineapple kabobs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. I usually take everything off the skewers since it’s easier to reheat that way.
To reheat: After removing the chicken, pineapple, and onion from the skewers, you can heat them in the microwave or in a nonstick skillet set over medium heat.

Overhead view of grilled pineapple and chicken served on plate with rice

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