Juicy Hawaiian chicken skewers with pineapple, onion and red pepper are perfect for summer entertaining. Marinated and glazed with a sweet, sticky sauce, it’s a recipe the whole family will love.
Ingredients needed
The marinade/glaze consists of a few pantry staples combined to make a delicious sticky, almost bbq sauce-like sauce. The skewers are made with chicken, pineapple. red onion and red bell pepper but green or yellow peppers can also be used.
- Tomato ketchup.
- Sweet chilli sauce.
- Soy sauce. Use Tamari or Coconut Aminos if you are gluten free.
- Fresh garlic cloves.
- Ginger.
- Chicken thighs. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are best here because they stay juicy. Chicken breasts can also be used.
- Pineapple. I used fresh pineapple but canned will also work.
- Bell pepper.
- Red onion.
How to make Hawaiian chicken skewers (summary)
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- Make the marinade: Combine the marinade ingredients in a medium bowl. Mix well and reserve one third of the marinade. Pour the rest over cubed boneless, skinless chicken thighs and allow to marinade for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours in an airtight container in the fridge.
- To make the skewers: Soak bamboo skewers in boiling water for 10 minutes (or use metal skewers) then thread on the chicken, onion, pineapple and bell pepper. Brush with marinade left in the marinating bowl.
- Grill the skewers: Preheat your grill/braai/barbecue for 10 minutes then add the chicken skewers. Cook for 10-15 minutes, glazing with the reserved marinade, until the skewers are caramelized and glossy and the chicken is cooked through. Alternatively you can use a griddle pan as well.
Can I make this ahead?
Yes! The chicken can be marinated up to a day in advance and the skewers can be assembled and stored in the fridge for a day too. Leftover skewers can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days.
What to serve with chicken skewers
These chicken skewers are delicious with easy salad side dishes and go very well with flatbread. Potatoes are also a good idea.
- Guacamole salad
- Easy tomato feta green bean salad
- Easy flatbread
- Mini Hasselback potatoes with sour cream dip
Chicken skewer recipes
Hawaiian chicken skewers
Sweet and sticky Hawaiian chicken skewers with pineapple, red bell pepper and onion.
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Servings: 8
Calories: 218kcal
Ingredients
For the marinade
- 1½ cups ketchup
- ¾ cup sweet chilli sauce
- 1/3 cup soy sauce / tamari sauce
- 2 tsp crushed garlic
- 2 tsp finely minced/crushed ginger
- 1-2 tsp salt
For the skewers
- 750 g (+- 1½lbs) chicken thighs skinless, boneless
- 1 pineapple peeled, cored and cubed into 2-3cm chunks
- 2 red bell peppers seeded and cubed into 2-3cm chunks
- 1 red onion cubed into 2-3cm chunks
Instructions
- To make the marinade, combine the ketchup, sweet chilli sauce, crushed garlic, ginger, soy sauce and salt in a medium bowl then mix well.
- Slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces and add to a large bowl.
- Reserve one third of the marinade and pour the remaining marinade over the chicken thighs. Cover and allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes but up to 24 hours in an airtight container in the fridge.
- To make the skewers, soak bamboo skewers in boiling water for 10 minutes (or alternatively use metal skewers).
- Chop the onion, pineapple and red onion into bite-sized pieces.
- Thread the chicken, pineapple, onion and pepper onto the skewers then brush with the marinade that is left in the bowl the chicken was marinating in.
- Pre-heat an outdoor grill or a grill pan on a stove and cook the skewers until golden brown and starting to caramelize on all sides and until the chicken is cooked through (approximately 10-15 minutes). Glaze with the reserved marinade while cooking.
- Remove from the heat and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 218kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 89mg | Sodium: 1717mg | Potassium: 332mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 620IU | Vitamin C: 34.9mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1.2mg
Can I use canned pineapple?
You can!
I have planned a picnic for this weekend and these seems like the perfect choice to make.
Best chicken kebabs I’ve ever tried. My family were sceptical about the pineapple but the end result was devoured within minutes. Great recipe!
Wow! That’s awesome to hear, thanks Cindy!
Can you freeze these? X
Yup! Freeze before cooking.
Made these for lunch and they were great. The sticky marinade was perfection.
Thanks Erica, so happy to hear that!
These look absolutely mouthwatering Alida! Perfect for grilling season!
Thanks Mary Ann! They are so perfect for cooking outdoors.
How much soy sauce, please? The recipe just states ‘? soy sauce/tamari’.
I’ve amended the recipe, it’s 1/3 cup. 🙂
Thank you so much. I have just ordered your recipe book too!
is it 1 cup soy sauce or more???
I’ve amended the recipe, it’s 1/3 cup.