Grilled Pineapple Jalapeño Chicken Skewers
- Gluten-Free
- Dairy-Free
- Paleo
- Whole30
These Grilled Pineapple Jalapeño Chicken Skewers are so easy to make and perfect for a summer bbq! This recipe has just 7 ingredients and only takes about 15 minutes to prep! This recipe is gluten free, dairy free, and can easily be made Whole30 and paleo!
Disclosure: This grilled pineapple chicken recipe has been sponsored by Sprouts Farmers Market. All opinions are my own.
Fire up the grill because these pineapple jalapeño chicken skewers are coming in hot!
Summer is finally here and as the temperatures start to rise, I’ve always got grilling on my mind! ‘Tis the season! I just love the ease of a dinner made completely on the grill and the ability to spend time with family outside while you’re cooking. Nothing worse than being stuck inside on a gorgeous day because you need to cook dinner!
This recipe for grilled pineapple jalapeño chicken skewers is so simple to throw together and perfect for dinner at home, meal prep, or a weekend bbq with friends! Pair these pineapple chicken skewers with a big green salad and some black rice or cauliflower rice and you’ve got yourself a healthy, filling meal that the whole family will love! Your friends are going to be asking for this recipe for sure!!
Ingredients to make grilled pineapple jalapeño chicken skewers
There are just 7 ingredients in this recipe! I’ve kept it simple, yet super flavorful. Aren’t those the best kinds of recipes? I mean, I love to cook, but sometimes you just need something that takes as little brain power as possible. I’m sure all the other parents out there can relate!
- 2 cups pineapple juice – Store-bought is totally fine, but bonus points if you make your own!!
- Two tbsp tamari – Make sure to substitute with coconut aminos for Whole30 and paleo
- 2 Tbsp avocado oil – Always a great oil to have for high-heat cooking like grilling!
- Two large cloves garlic, minced or pressed – I use a garlic press for quick work of it and so I don’t have to get my hands all garlicky
- 1.5 tsp fine sea salt – You’ll want to increase to 2 tsp if making it Whole30 or paleo using coconut aminos. Coconut aminos are less salty.
- 1.5 lb chicken breast, cubed – Cut into 1″ pieces. Try to get them uniform in size so that they all cook evenly!
- 1 pineapple, cubed (1″ pieces) – This doesn’t have to be as precise as the chicken pieces. You’ll only use about 3/4 of a pineapple for this recipe, so save the other 1/4 in a separate bowl for eating to prevent cross-contamination when you’re making the skewers
- 6 jalapeños, cut into thick rounds – So fresh and fun in this recipe!
- Extra avocado oil for brushing on skewers before grilling (approx. 1/4 cup)
Where to buy the ingredients for this grilled pineapple chicken recipe
I picked up everything I needed for this recipe from my local Sprouts! Sprouts has a wonderful selection of fresh peppers right now that are perfect for this recipe and all of your other summertime recipes that need a little kick! They’ve got everything from poblanos to habaneros to shishitos and jalapeños. So fresh, always affordable, and super delicious. I love that I can get a huge bag of jalapeños for just a couple dollars!
How to make grilled pineapple jalapeño chicken skewers
STEP 1:
egin by making the marinade. Combine the pineapple juice, tamari, avocado oil, garlic, and salt in a glass measuring cup. Stir it up until all of the salt dissolves. This should just take about a minute. Pour all but 1/2 cup of the marinade into a shallow dish for marinating. The reserved 1/2 cup liquid will be for basting during the grilling process.
STEP 2
Next, marinate the chicken by placing cubed chicken into shallow dish with the marinade. Push the pieces down into the liquid to cover. Allow to marinade for 45 minutes at room temperature. You’ll want to pop it in the refrigerator if your room is very warm.
STEP 3
Preheat your grill to 425ºF (218ºC) or medium-high. I use a Big Green Egg, but you can use any kind of grill for this recipe. As long as it’s large enough to hold all of the skewers, that is!
STEP 4
Next, make your skewers by threading the marinated chicken, cubed pineapple, and sliced jalapeños onto metal skewers. If you’re using wooden skewers, just make sure to soak them first.
STEP 5
Time to grill! Once your grill is hot, brush skewers and grill grates (carefully!) with avocado oil. Grill skewers for 5 minutes with the lid closed. Baste with liquid, flip, then cook for 5 more minutes with lid closed. Baste with liquid, flip, then cook for 2 final minutes with lid closed. That will be 12 minutes total on the grill, grilling on 3 sides, with 2 flips. If your chicken pieces are larger than 1″ they will likely need more time to cook through. Unsure if they’re done? Just use a meat thermometer and cook to 165ºF (74ºC).
STEP 6: Carefully remove the skewers from the grill and serve immediately. I like to serve with a big green salad and black rice! YUM!
My inspiration for this grilled pineapple chicken recipe
I lived in Hawaii about 6 years ago and, of course, one of my favorite things to eat there was pineapple! Funny enough, I actually remember the pineapple in Hawaii being more expensive than pineapple on the mainland. So crazy, right?? Everyone always talks about how expensive beef, cheese, and milk can be in Hawaii (and on lots of other tropical islands), but I never expected the pineapple to be so expensive. I still bought it, of course, but it always made me wonder.
When we lived there we lived right down the street from THE BEST chicken place. Mike’s Huli Huli. No exaggeration here. It’s the best. Huli huli means chicken in Hawaiian and boy oh boy was it good! They cook it all day and it’s just perfection! So juicy, tender, and flavorful. They serve it up with the most delicious sauces, rice, and pineapple on the side!
This grilled pineapple chicken recipe always reminds me of Mike’s Huli Huli. Since we lived there it has actually relocated to the North Shore, so make sure to check it out if you go! It’s a food truck, by the way! I don’t think I mentioned that. The North Shore is actually famous for their food trucks! The garlic shrimp is a North Shore food truck classic and a must-try, but I think this chicken is world-class as well! Get both and thank me later!
Equipment needed to make this pineapple grilled chicken
- Grill (charcoal or gas)
- Grilling tongs
- Basting brush (a long one is best for grilling)
- Shallow dish for marinating chicken
- Glass measuring cup and spoon for making marinade
- Garlic press (optional, but recommended!)
- Metal or wooden skewers – make sure to pre-soak the wooden ones!
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Chef’s knife
- Cutting board for pineapple and veggies
- Separate cutting board for raw chicken (use plastic for raw meats!)
- Serving dish/platter
Grilling Tips!
If you’re using a charcoal grill, make sure your coals are nice and hot and evenly distributed along the bottom before placing the grill grate on top. You want an even fire so that the chicken can cook evenly. I use all natural hardwood lump charcoal for the best flavor. You can use a generic hardwood variety or something like mesquite for a unique flavor.
I don’t recommend using standard briquettes or lighter fluid due to the toxic chemicals these can contain. Not only are they bad for your health, but they also impart an unappetizing flavor to your food, in my opinion. This can be especially evident when cooking something delicate like pineapple or fish! If you’ve never used natural lump charcoal before, you’ve got to give it a try! Your grilled recipes will just taste so much better.
Pro tip: If you’re having trouble getting your fire going, try using a natural fire starter bundle or regular old hardwood chunks if you have those laying around from smoking. I’ve even used wood chips in a pinch!
If you’re using a gas grill, it should be super easy to grill these skewers up, so no tips needed there! Besides, I think I’ve only cooked on a gas grill once or twice total! I love my charcoal grill!
My other grilling recipes for summer!
- HOT HONEY BUTTER GRILLED CHICKEN So good!
- GRILLED SHRIMP WITH CILANTRO GARLIC BUTTER
- GRILLED SPOT PRAWNS WITH GARLIC HERB BUTTER
- GRILLED BUFFALO SHRIMP TACOS WITH BLUE CHEESE CREMA
- WHOLE GRILLED SNAPPER WITH CILANTRO LIME GARLIC BUTTER
- 10-MINUTE GREEN GODDESS GRILLED SHRIMP
- GRILLED LOBSTER WITH GARLIC HERB BUTTER Oh yes!!!!!
- GRILLED SHRIMP & PINEAPPLE SKEWERS WITH GARLIC CILANTRO BUTTER
- CUCUMBER DILL SALAD (not grilled, but one of my favorite side dishes for grilling!)
- CUCUMBER MANGO SALAD (another great summer side)
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Grilled Pineapple Jalapeño Chicken Skewers
- Gluten-Free
- Dairy-Free
- Paleo
- Whole30
Ingredients
- 2 cups pineapple juice
- 2 Tbsp tamari sub coconut aminos for Whole30/paleo
- 2 Tbsp avocado oil
- 2 large cloves garlic minced or pressed
- 1.5 tsp fine sea salt increase to 2 tsp if using coconut aminos
- 1.5 lb chicken breast cubed (1" pieces)
- 1 pineapple cubed (1" pieces)*
- 6 jalapeños cut into thick rounds
- Avocado oil for brushing approx. 1/4 cup
Instructions
- Make marinade by combining 2 cups pineapple juice, 2 Tbsp tamari, 2 Tbsp avocado oil, 2 large cloves garlic (minced), and 1.5 tsp fine sea salt (increase to 2 tsp if using coconut aminos) in a glass measuring cup. Stir until salt dissolves. Pour all but 1/2 cup of the marinade into a shallow dish for marinating. The reserved 1/2 cup liquid will be for basting.
- Marinate chicken by placing 1.5 lb cubed chicken breast in marinade. Push down into the liquid to cover. Allow to marinate for 45 minutes at room temperature (refrigerate if your room is very warm).
- Preheat grill to 425ºF (218ºC) or medium-high.
- Make skewers by threading marinated chicken, cubed pineapple, and 6 sliced jalapeños onto metal skewers. If using wooden skewers make sure to soak them first.
- Once grill is hot, brush skewers and grill grates with avocado oil. Grill skewers for 5 minutes with the lid closed. Baste with liquid, flip, then cook for 5 more minutes with lid closed. Baste with liquid, flip, then cook for 2 final minutes with lid closed. If your chicken pieces are larger than 1" they will likely need more time to cook through. Cook to 165ºF (74ºC).
- Carefully remove from grill and serve immediately.
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