Savor The Flavor Chicken Kabobs (Printable Version)
Tender marinated chicken and pineapple on skewers, brushed with honey-lime glaze and grilled until lightly charred.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
→ Fruits and Vegetables
02 - 1 fresh pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into 1-inch chunks
03 - 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
04 - 1 red onion, cut into wedges
→ Marinade
05 - 1/4 cup soy sauce (use gluten-free tamari if needed)
06 - 2 tbsp olive oil
07 - 2 tbsp honey
08 - 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1 tsp ground ginger
11 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 tsp salt
13 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Garnish
14 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
15 - Lime wedges
# Directions:
01 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, olive oil, honey, lime juice, minced garlic, ground ginger, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
02 - Transfer 2 tablespoons of the marinade to a small container and set aside for brushing the kabobs during grilling.
03 - Place the chicken pieces in a large zip-top bag or shallow dish. Pour the remaining marinade over the chicken, toss to coat evenly, seal, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours.
04 - Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 20 to 30 minutes to prevent burning.
05 - Thread the marinated chicken, pineapple chunks, bell pepper pieces, and red onion wedges alternately onto the skewers, distributing the ingredients evenly.
06 - Place the kabobs on the preheated grill and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, turning every few minutes and brushing with the reserved marinade, until the chicken is cooked through and lightly charred.
07 - Remove the kabobs from the grill and serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped cilantro and lime wedges.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The marinade does double duty as a glaze, so every bite carries this layered sweet and savory depth that surprises people who think chicken on a stick is simple.
- Pineapple fresh off the grill tastes like candy crossed with sunshine, and it makes everyone at the table happy without any extra effort.
02 -
- Do not marinate the chicken longer than four hours, because the lime juice will start breaking down the texture and you will end up with mushy meat instead of juicy bites.
- Soaking wooden skewers is not optional unless you enjoy watching your dinner fall apart between the grill grates.
03 -
- Pat the chicken pieces dry before adding them to the marinade so the flavors actually penetrate instead of sliding off the surface.
- The sugar in honey burns fast over direct flame, so keep the kabobs moving and do not walk away from the grill even for a minute.