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Delicious grilled BBQ pineapple chicken kabobs with colorful vegetables.

Classic Grilled BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs

These grilled chicken kabobs feature succulent chicken, sweet pineapple, and optional vegetables, all coated in a flavorful homemade BBQ sauce. They're perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing barbecue.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Kabobs
  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 whole fresh pineapple cored and cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 1 pack wooden skewers soaked in water for at least 30 minutes
  • metal skewers Alternatively to wooden skewers
  • 1 medium red onion cut into 1-inch pieces (optional)
  • 1-2 whole bell peppers any color, cut into 1-inch pieces (optional)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
For the BBQ Sauce
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce
  • 2 tbsp light brown sugar packed
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp onion powder
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
  • salt and black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Paper towels
  • Large bowl
  • Whisk
  • Grill
  • Tongs

Method
 

Prepare Chicken and Marinade
  1. Pat the chicken cubes dry with paper towels to ensure a good sear.
  2. Combine BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
  3. Add the chicken to the marinade and mix well; refrigerate for 30 minutes to 4 hours.
Prepare Vegetables (Optional) and Grill
  1. If using, toss red onion and bell pepper pieces with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  2. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (400-450°F / 200-230°C) and lightly oil the grates.
  3. Thread marinated chicken, pineapple, and optional vegetables onto skewers, ensuring not to overcrowd them.
  4. Grill kabobs for 8-12 minutes, turning every 2-3 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and charred.
  5. Brush with extra BBQ sauce during the final minutes if desired, then remove from grill and rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can marinate the chicken overnight. If using wooden skewers, make sure to soak them for at least 30 minutes to prevent them from burning on the grill.