Name: Hawaiian Chicken Skewers
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: ½ cup barbecue sauce; ⅓ cup soy sauce; 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar; 2 teaspoons sesame oil; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced; 1 teaspoon honey; Kosher salt to taste; 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 2 pieces chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces; 2 cups fresh pineapple, cubed; 2 pieces green bell peppers, diced; 1 piece red onion, diced; White rice for serving; 2 teaspoons fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Why Make This Recipe

Hawaiian Chicken Skewers are a fun and tasty dish perfect for summer barbecues or a simple family dinner. They are easy to prepare and packed with flavor. The combination of juicy chicken, sweet pineapple, and colorful vegetables makes each bite delightful. Plus, grilling them adds a nice smoky flavor that everyone loves. This recipe is not only delicious but also offers a tropical twist that brings the spirit of Hawaii to your table.

How to Make Hawaiian Chicken Skewers

Ingredients:

½ cup barbecue sauce
⅓ cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
2 teaspoons sesame oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
1 teaspoon honey
Kosher salt to taste
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 cups fresh pineapple, cubed
2 green bell peppers, diced
1 red onion, diced
White rice for serving
2 teaspoons fresh cilantro, chopped

Directions:

In a bowl, mix together the barbecue sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, minced ginger, honey, salt, and red pepper flakes.
Marinate the chicken pieces in this sauce for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for best results.
While the chicken is marinating, cut the pineapple, green bell peppers, and red onion into 1-inch pieces.
Preheat your grill to 400°F and oil the grates to prevent sticking.
Thread the marinated chicken and the vegetable pieces onto skewers, alternating them as you go.
Place the skewers on the grill and grill for 12-15 minutes, turning every 3-4 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
In the last few minutes of grilling, brush the skewers with any remaining marinade.
Once done, let the skewers rest for 2-3 minutes.
Serve the skewers over white rice and garnish with chopped fresh cilantro.

How to Serve Hawaiian Chicken Skewers

Serve Hawaiian Chicken Skewers hot off the grill over a bed of fluffy white rice. The rice absorbs the marinade and adds to the overall flavor. You can also serve them with a side of extra barbecue sauce or a fresh salad for a complete meal. These skewers are great for picnics and parties, so feel free to prepare them in batches to share!

How to Store Hawaiian Chicken Skewers

If you have leftovers, store the skewers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 3 days. You can reheat them in the microwave or on a grill for a few minutes to warm them up again. Just be careful not to overcook them and dry them out.

Tips to Make Hawaiian Chicken Skewers

For the best flavor, marinate the chicken overnight if you can.
Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent them from burning.
You can add any other vegetables you like, such as zucchini or cherry tomatoes, for more variety.
If you prefer a spicier dish, add more crushed red pepper flakes to the marinade or use spicy barbecue sauce.

Variation

You can easily customize this recipe by swapping the chicken for shrimp or tofu for a vegetarian option. The marinade flavors work well with different proteins. Additional fruits like mango or bell peppers can also be added for a fruity twist!

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
Yes, but make sure to thaw it completely before marinating for even flavor distribution.

2. What if I don’t have a grill?
You can cook the skewers in an oven by broiling them or on a stovetop grill pan.

3. How long can I marinate the chicken?
Marinating for 30 minutes is good, but for best results, you can marinate the chicken for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator.

Hawaiian Chicken Skewers

These Hawaiian Chicken Skewers are a fun, flavorful dish perfect for summer barbecues, combining juicy chicken, sweet pineapple, and colorful vegetables with a delightful smoky flavor from grilling.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 15

Total Time 45

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Grilled, Hawaiian

Calories: 320

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

For the Marinade

½ cup barbecue sauce
⅓ cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
2 teaspoons sesame oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
1 teaspoon honey
Kosher salt to taste
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

For the Skewers

2 pieces chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 cups fresh pineapple, cubed
2 pieces green bell peppers, diced
1 piece red onion, diced
White rice for serving
2 teaspoons fresh cilantro, chopped for garnish

Method

Preparation

In a bowl, mix together the barbecue sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, minced ginger, honey, salt, and red pepper flakes.
Marinate the chicken pieces in this sauce for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for best results.
While the chicken is marinating, cut the pineapple, green bell peppers, and red onion into 1-inch pieces.

Grilling

Preheat your grill to 400°F and oil the grates to prevent sticking.
Thread the marinated chicken and the vegetable pieces onto skewers, alternating them as you go.
Place the skewers on the grill and grill for 12-15 minutes, turning every 3-4 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
In the last few minutes of grilling, brush the skewers with any remaining marinade.
Once done, let the skewers rest for 2-3 minutes.
Serve the skewers over white rice and garnish with chopped fresh cilantro.

Notes

For the best flavor, marinate the chicken overnight if you can. Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent them from burning. You can add any other vegetables you like, such as zucchini or cherry tomatoes, for more variety. If you prefer a spicier dish, add more crushed red pepper flakes to the marinade or use spicy barbecue sauce. You can easily customize this recipe by swapping the chicken for shrimp or tofu for a vegetarian option.

Yumi

Name: Yumi HwagByline: Founder & Recipe Developer, YumimealsBio : Yumi tests weeknight-friendly air fryer, slow cooker, and BBQ recipes in a small home kitchen. She focuses on simple steps, real-family testing, and clear food-safety guidance. Contact: [email protected]