Grilled Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
If you’re looking for a summery feeling grilled chicken recipe, these grilled pineapple teriyaki chicken skewers are just the ticket! Super fast, easy, practically zero cleanup, and loaded with rich pineapple-teriyaki flavor for a sweet-yet-tangy flavor explosion the whole family will love. It’s hard to say no to chicken on a stick! Unlike many other grilled chicken recipes, you don’t even need to worry about marinating the chicken, and because it cooks so quickly, this is a meal that’s ready in minutes. The longest part will be soaking your bamboo skewers in water!
Ingredients in Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
For these super easy teriyaki chicken kabobs on the grill, all you need are these very basic and common ingredients:
Boneless skinless chicken breasts Skewers (bamboo or metal) Olive oil Kosher salt Black pepper Pineapple teriyaki marinade or sauce (or make homemade teriyaki sauce) Fresh cilantro or parsley for garnishing, optional Lime wedges, optional for serving
How to Make Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
This is such a fast and easy teriyaki kabobs recipe that tastes like so much more effort than it really is! Begin by soaking your bamboo skewers for a half hour (if using metal, that’s not necessary). Thread bite-sized pieces of raw chicken breast onto the skewers, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Grill the chicken over medium-high heat until it’s a minute or two away from done. Make sure you rotate the skewers frequently as the chicken grills. Brush the chicken with the pineapple teriyaki sauce, allow it to cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until the chicken is fully done, remove the skewers and get ready to serve them.
What to Serve with Grilled Chicken Skewers
As you can see, I sliced a pineapple in half, hollowed some of it out, and added coconut rice. For the pineapple slicing, use a super sharp knife, some elbow grease, and if you have a strong person around, this is the job for them! Other sides you can serve with the grilled teriyaki chicken skewers are:
Tropical Fruit Salad Broccoli Salad Pink and Purple Potato Salad Superfood Salad Grilled Vegetables
Can I Add Veggies to the Skewers?
If you’re feeling like you’d like enjoy veggies with these skewers, feel free to add veggies like red onions, bell peppers of any color, whole button mushrooms, or zucchini to your skewers. This also helps you “stretch” the amount of chicken needed since you’re bulking it up with vegetables.
Can I Add Pineapple Chunks to the Skewers?
You could add pineapple but because of the sugar content, it could be prone to charring on the outside. If you add it, keep the pieces large and the chicken small so the chicken cooks through before the pineapple chars too much.
What Kind Of Pineapple Teriyaki Sauce Is Best?
I used Soy Vay Island Teriyaki Marinade and Sauce, however really any teriyaki sauce or marinade will be fine. Look for one with pineapple in it as well so you get the full effect of these pineapple teriyaki chicken skewers.
Can I Make Homemade Teriyaki Sauce?
If you would like to make homemade teriyaki sauce, I recommend my recipe but rather than 1/2 cup water, use 1/2 cup pineapple juice. You can also stir in 1/4 cup very finely minced pineapple as well to boost the pineapple flavor profile.
Additionally, you can make this Pineapple Teriyaki Sauce that I use in my Teriyaki Steak Tips recipe.
Can I Make This Recipe Without a Grill?
Absolutely! Break out your indoor grill pan and make these chicken skewers indoors. Grill pans are also a way of bringing a warm, summery mood and recipe into your kitchen during the winter months when you can’t grill outdoors.
What Kind of Skewers Should I Use?
I used bamboo skewers, which do need to be soaked in water for about 20 to 30 minutes before using them to prevent burning. Metal skewers are also fine and don’t need to be soaked, plus they are reusable.
Can This Recipe Be Prepared in Advance?
Yes, you can dice up the chicken and let it sit in the marinade for up to 6 hours, if desired. You can also prepare the entire recipe as written and reheat later on. Leftover teriyaki chicken is great in salads, sandwiches, and wraps!
Can Grilled Chicken Skewers Be Frozen?
Yes, let the chicken cool completely and then remove from the skewers. The cooked chicken can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Tips for the Best Teriyaki Chicken Kabobs
The sauce has a high sugar volume and therefore putting it on at the beginning of the grilling session would burn it, which is why I don’t add it until almost the end of the cooking time. This allows the sauce to melt onto the chicken without burning, giving the chicken its incredibly rich and delicious flavor. Also, try to avoid placing the ends of the skewers directly over the flame on the grill or they will burn off. This recipe can easily be multiplied for larger events. I recommend planning on about half of one average-sized chicken breast per skewer and a one-quarter to one-third cup of pineapple teriyaki sauce for every 6 kebabs.
Favorite Pineapple Chicken Recipes:
Hawaiian Grilled Chicken and Pineapple — Transports you to Hawaii with every bite of this tender, juicy chicken and the grilled pineapple seals the deal!! EASY, HEALTHY, ready in 10 minutes, and perfect for summer parties, barbecues, and casual weeknight dinners!! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes!
Grilled Pineapple Mango Chicken — EASY, ready in 10 minutes, and the flavor of the juicy chicken makes you feel like you’re on a TROPICAL island!! Grilled peppers on the side makes for the PERFECT summer meal that’s HEALTHY and DELICIOUS!!
Sheet Pan Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken — Fast, EASY, and loaded with fabulous teriyaki flavor! Tender chicken, juicy pineapple, and crisp-tender veggies make make for a DELISH one-pan meal with zero cleanup.
Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken – Packed with pineapple flavor thanks to the combination of pineapple preserves and canned pineapple. Serve it over rice for a quick weeknight dinner!
Baked Teriyaki Chicken and Rice — Chicken, rice, pineapple, and red peppers cook together in one pan for an EASY weeknight dinner that tastes like you’re in Hawaii! The homemade teriyaki sauce adds so much INCREDIBLE flavor!
Teriyaki Steak Tips – Tri-tip steak tips are cooked to perfection and then topped with a thick and sticky homemade pineapple teriyaki sauce! A family favorite that everyone will love and is FAST and EASY to make!
