Description
These Hawaiian Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Pineapple Skewers combine juicy marinated chicken thighs with sweet pineapple and vibrant vegetables, all grilled to perfection with a homemade teriyaki glaze. Perfect for a summer weeknight dinner, BBQ, or meal prep, this dish offers a delicious balance of savory, sweet, and smoky flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1.5 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cut into 1.5-inch pieces)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger (minced or ½ teaspoon ginger powder)
- 1 tablespoon ketchup (or 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water for thickening)
Vegetables & Fruits
- 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks (about 1 small pineapple)
- 1 medium red onion (cut into 1.5-inch chunks)
- 1 large green bell pepper (cut into 1.5-inch pieces)
- 1 large red bell pepper (cut into 1.5-inch pieces)
- 1 small zucchini (sliced into ½-inch rounds or half-moons)
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, fresh lime juice, smoked paprika, minced garlic, sesame oil, minced ginger, and ketchup or cornstarch slurry. Whisk together until fully blended to form the teriyaki glaze.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken thigh pieces to the marinade and toss to coat completely. Let the chicken marinate for at least 10 minutes, or up to 30 minutes in the refrigerator for deeper flavor.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high heat, ensuring the grates are clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking.
- Assemble the Skewers: Thread pieces of marinated chicken onto skewers, alternating with pineapple chunks, red onion pieces, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, and zucchini slices to create colorful and balanced skewers.
- Grill the Skewers: Place the assembled skewers on the preheated grill. Cook for about 12 to 15 minutes, turning every 3 to 4 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are slightly charred and tender. Baste occasionally with leftover teriyaki glaze for extra flavor.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove skewers from the grill and let rest for 2 minutes. Serve hot with your favorite side dishes or over a bed of rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- For best results, soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before threading to prevent burning.
- You can substitute chicken breasts if preferred, but thighs offer more juiciness and flavor.
- Adjust the sweetness of the glaze by increasing or decreasing the honey to taste.
- Use fresh pineapple for optimal flavor; canned pineapple chunks may add extra sweetness and moisture.
- If you don't have a grill, these skewers can be cooked under a broiler or on a stovetop grill pan with similar results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 331 kcal
- Sugar: 23 g
- Sodium: 948 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.03 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 162 mg
